Grantee Research Project Results

2003 Progress Report: Remote Sensing of Water Quality

EPA Grant Number: R829458C001
Subproject: this is subproject number 001 , established and managed by the Center Director under grant R829458
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
Center: EAGLES - Consortium for Estuarine Ecoindicator Research for the Gulf of Mexico
Center Director: Brouwer, Marius
Title: Remote Sensing of Water Quality
Investigators: Han, Luoheng
Institution: University of Southern Mississippi , The University of Alabama
Current Institution: The University of Alabama , University of Southern Mississippi
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: December 1, 2001 through November 30, 2005 (Extended to May 20, 2007)
Project Period Covered by this Report: December 1, 2002 through November 30, 2003
RFA: Environmental Indicators in the Estuarine Environment Research Program (2000) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Water , Aquatic Ecosystems , Ecological Indicators/Assessment/Restoration

Objective:

In Year 2 of the CEER-GOM project, the remote sensing of water quality component still focused on the Pensacola Bay system. The primary goals are to develop algorithms of estimating chlorophyll concentrations using Landsat TM and ETM+ data. The algorithm development process included two approaches: traditional band combination and neural network analysis. With the algorithms established, maps of chlorophyll concentration in Pensacola Bay were created. Findings from the hyperspectral data analysis from Year 1 of the project were put together in a manuscript for publication. I also was involved in a collaborative research effort between the two Estuarine and Great Lakes Program (EaGLe) groups.

Progress Summary:

Development of Algorithms of Estimating Chlorophyll Concentration Using Landsat TM/ETM+ Data

The chlorophyll map created using the band combination model is shown in Figure 1. The chlorophyll map created using the neural network model is shown in Figure 2.

Figure 1. Chlorophyll-a Concentration in Pensacola Bay Using the Band Combination Model

Figure 2. Chlorophyll-a Concentration in Pensacola Bay Using the Neural Network Model

Field Data Collection

Close-range hyperspectral data collection was conducted along with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Gulf Ecology Division's monthly sampling over Pensacola Bay on June 4, 2003. Close-range hyperspectral data collection also was conducted in a collaborative research effort in North Inlet, SC, on August 13, 2003.

Future Activities:

We will continue to develop algorithms of estimating chlorophyll concentrations using Landsat TM and ETM+ data. In addition, manuscripts are in review for publication in a special issue on the EaGLe project in the International Journal of Remote Sensing.

Journal Articles:

No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 8 publications for this subproject

Supplemental Keywords:

population, community, ecosystem, watersheds, estuary, estuaries, Gulf of Mexico, nutrients, hypoxia, innovative technology, biomarkers, water quality, remote sensing, geographic information system, GIS, integrated assessment, risk assessment, fisheries, conservation, restoration, monitoring/modeling, Apalachicola Bay, Consortium for Estuarine Ecoindicator Research for the Gulf of Mexico, CEER-GOM, Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program, Galveston Bay, Mobile Bay, benthic indicators, ecoindicator, ecological exposure, ecosystem monitoring, environmental indicators, environmental stress, estuarine ecoindicator, estuarine integrity., RFA, Scientific Discipline, ECOSYSTEMS, Geographic Area, Water, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Aquatic Ecosystems & Estuarine Research, Ecology, estuarine research, Ecosystem/Assessment/Indicators, Ecosystem Protection, Aquatic Ecosystem, Aquatic Ecosystems, Environmental Monitoring, Ecological Monitoring, Ecology and Ecosystems, Gulf of Mexico, Ecological Indicators, monitoring, ecoindicator, ecological exposure, remote sensing, estuaries, estuarine integrity, Mobile Bay, Galveston Bay, CEER-GOM, Apalachicola Bay, estuarine ecoindicator, environmental indicators, environmental stress, estuarine waters, restoration, water quality

Relevant Websites:

http://www.usm.edu/gcrl/contacts/view_vitae.php?id=190 Exit

Progress and Final Reports:

Original Abstract

Main Center Abstract and Reports:

R829458 EAGLES - Consortium for Estuarine Ecoindicator Research for the Gulf of Mexico

Subprojects under this Center: (EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
R829458C001 Remote Sensing of Water Quality
R829458C002 Microbial Biofilms as Indicators of Estuarine Ecosystem Condition
R829458C003 Individual Level Indicators: Molecular Indicators of Dissolved Oxygen Stress in Crustaceans
R829458C004 Data Management and Analysis
R829458C005 Individual Level Indicators: Reproductive Function in Estuarine Fishes
R829458C006 Collaborative Efforts Between CEER-GOM and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-Gulf Ecology Division (GED)
R829458C007 GIS and Terrestrial Remote Sensing
R829458C008 Macrobenthic Process Indicators of Estuarine Condition for the Northern Gulf of Mexico
R829458C009 Modeling and Integration

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The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.