Using laboratory and field experiments as well as spectral analysis of satellite images, we demonstrate that surface aggregations of brine shrimp (Artemia) cysts (BSC) in salt lakes can be identified unambiguously in satellite imagery. This is because of the unique reflectance spectral shapes of the BSC image slicks, where a sharp and monotonic increase in reflectance is found at wavelengths >550 nm and two inflection points are found around ~550 nm and ~ 650 nm. Such spectral characteristics differentiate BSC slicks from other floating matters. Based on this principle, a deep learning model is developed to extract BSC features from MERIS (Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer, 2002–2012) and OLCI (Ocean and Land Color Instrument, 2016 - present) satellite images to quantify BSC abundance, spatial distribution patterns, and their temporal changes in the Great Salt Lake (GSL), the world's largest contributor of BSC commercial products. A clear seasonality is found in BSC abundance, with the primary peak in April – May and secondary peak in October – November. The two peaks may be explained by food availability to brine shrimp. The inter-annual variability and the recent increasing trend in BSC abundance, on the other hand, are difficult to explain by fluctuations in wind, temperature, or salinity, while recent increase in commercial harvest does not appear to be associated with the variability in BSC abundance estimated by satellites. Because many salt lakes around the world, for example the Aral Sea, Lake Urmia, and the Dead Sea, also show BSC slicks in satellite imagery, this study suggests that it is possible to perform a systematic evaluation of BSC abundance and possibly brine shrimp populations in all major salt lakes, especially under a changing climate and increased human activities.

通过实验室和野外实验以及卫星图像的光谱分析，我们证明了丰年虾（卤虫）的表面聚集) 盐湖中的包囊 (BSC) 可以在卫星图像中明确识别。这是因为 BSC 图像浮标具有独特的反射光谱形状，在大于 550 nm 的波长处发现反射率急剧且单调增加，并且在 ~550 nm 和 ~650 nm 附近发现了两个拐点。这种光谱特征将 BSC 浮油与其他漂浮物质区分开来。基于此原理，开发了一种深度学习模型，从 MERIS（中分辨率成像光谱仪，2002-2012）和 OLCI（海洋和陆地颜色仪器，2016 年至今）卫星图像中提取 BSC 特征，以量化 BSC 丰度、空间分布模式，以及它们在大盐湖 (GSL) 的时间变化，大盐湖 (GSL) 是世界上最大的 BSC 商业产品贡献者。BSC 丰度具有明显的季节性，4-5月为主要高峰，10-11月为次高峰。这两个峰值可以用丰年虾的食物供应来解释。另一方面，年际变化和最近 BSC 丰度的增加趋势很难用风、温度或盐度的波动来解释，而最近商业收获的增加似乎与 BSC 的变化无关卫星估计的丰度。由于世界各地的许多盐湖，例如咸海、乌尔米亚湖和死海，也在卫星图像中显示 BSC 浮油，因此本研究表明，可以对 BSC 丰度和可能的盐水虾种群进行系统评估在所有主要盐湖中，尤其是在气候变化和人类活动增加的情况下。