Michigan Bloom, Side by Side (24 Jul vs 7 Sep 1999)
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Credit
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, The SeaWiFS Project and ORBIMAGE, Scientific Visualization Studio. NOTE: All SeaWiFS images and data presented on this web site are for research and educational use only. All commercial use of SeaWiFS data must be coordinated with ORBIMAGE (http://www.orbimage.com).
Side by Side View of the Michigan Bloom - July 24, Sept. 7, 1999
Two possible explanations for the brightening were advanced in 1999: A large bloom of cyanobacteria such as microcystis or an inorganic precipitation of calcium carbonate triggered by warming surface waters. I never heard whether one or the other choice was validated by researchers on Lake Michigan. A variety of atmospheric aerosols and clouds over the lake also effect the perceived brightness of the water from image to image.
Lake Michigan on September 7th, 1999