Satellite Remote Sensing for Water Quality Measurement
Monitoring Cyprus's Reservoirs
Highlights
Recent water quality measurements for the Asprokremmos and Kouris reservoirs in Cyprus were needed without site visits, sampling, and laboratory testing.
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Satellite image analysis for a recent time series allowed rapid measurement of total suspended matter and chlorophyll-a concentration across almost the whole surface area of these reservoirs.
Using InSAR (Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar) for water quality assessment offers a groundbreaking approach to monitoring aquatic ecosystems remotely and efficiently. In Cyprus, recent studies applied satellite-based measurements to assess the water quality of the Asprokremmos and Kouris reservoirs without physical sampling. This technique provides an innovative alternative to traditional methods, delivering rapid and expansive insights into water health.
One of the primary indicators of water quality is chlorophyll-a, a pigment used to gauge the productivity of aquatic ecosystems and phytoplankton levels. Alongside chlorophyll-a, factors like Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and turbidity are critical in assessing water clarity and overall ecosystem health. With InSAR and other satellite-based tools, these parameters can now be measured over large areas without site visits, giving stakeholders more frequent data updates and reducing monitoring costs.
Why InSAR is Ideal for Water Quality Assessment
Conventional water sampling involves periodic field visits for sample collection and lab analysis. This method is not only time-consuming and costly but also lacks the ability to provide historical trends or frequent updates. InSAR for water quality assessment overcomes these limitations, enabling high-resolution analysis that captures temporal changes in water composition across entire reservoirs.
The Challenge with Traditional Water Quality Monitoring
For Cyprus's Asprokremmos and Kouris reservoirs, satellite image analysis was employed to map chlorophyll-a and TSS concentrations. A recent satellite time series made it possible to analyse these parameters consistently across the reservoirs, revealing detailed data about their water quality over time. With InSAR, environmental scientists gained insights into water quality fluctuations without the need for on-site visits, allowing for real-time and retroactive assessments.
The InSAR Solution: A New Way to Monitor Water Quality
InSAR technology has the potential to transform water quality monitoring, offering an efficient, scalable solution to meet the growing need for environmental stewardship. In Cyprus and beyond, InSAR-driven water quality assessment could become a staple in managing water resources, helping communities adapt to environmental changes and ensuring safer water for all.
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Want to learn more about how satellite remote sensing analysis can assess marine environments? Contact Geofem through our contact page.
InSAR for Water Quality Assessments: Looking Ahead
Benefits of Using InSAR for Water Quality Assessment in Reservoirs
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Comprehensive Coverage: InSAR allows for data collection across nearly the entire surface of a reservoir, enabling a full water quality assessment that would be impractical with traditional methods.
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Cost and Time Efficiency: Reducing the need for field sampling and lab testing, InSAR offers a faster, more cost-effective way to measure water quality.
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Historical and Real-Time Analysis: By analysing satellite images retrospectively, environmental researchers can track water quality trends, revealing long-term patterns that inform sustainable water management.
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Enhanced Decision-Making: Water quality maps generated from InSAR data empower local authorities and water management agencies to make proactive decisions in reservoir management.
