Based on four filed cruises from 2004 to 2010 in Tai Lake, four models were investigated in the present study, including two-ration-model (TRM), three-band-model (TBM), enhanced three-band-model (ETM) and four-band model (FBM) using in situ measurements and MERIS image data. The validation was performed using samples from Taihu (n=13) and Chaohu Lake (n=21). The results demonstrated that the ETM was the most appropriate to estimate chlorophyll a concentration in highly turbid waters with higher R2(0.34~0.94) and lower RMSE (3.17~8.70 μg/L). Furthermore, the lookup table of the molding input parameters was determined for the four seasons in Taihu Lake. The resultant model was applied to MERIS images (8, 9 and 10 waveband) to detect the temporal and spatial variations of chlorophyll a concentration in Tai Lake.