Bio-optical properties of the middle Volga at 2023

The presented paper opens a series of articles devoted to studies of the bio-optical characteristics of the Volga waters in the context of creating regional bio-optical models accounting the transformation of the water optical properties from north to south. The preliminary results of field measurements carried out in 2023 at the middle Volga are presented. Measurements were performed with high spatial resolution — 3 m. The spatial distributions and variations of various hydro-optical and hydrological characteristics, including water brightness spectra and the content of dissolved and suspended substances that determine its color (chlorophyll a, suspended solids), data on water temperature, electrical conductivity, salinity, dissolved oxygen content, flow velocity and direction, were investigated at different spatial scales. The influence of different Volga tributaries was assessed, including the seasonal variability of bio-optical characteristics in the areas of the confluence of the Volga and Oka, and the Volga and Kama. Cross-correlation estimates were given. The obtained results expand an actual picture of the studied water area and will be used in the analysis of satellite data and the development of bio-optical models.

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