Abstract
Remote Sensing and GIS Analysis of Phytoplankton Blooms Track: Remote Sensing Imagery Author(s): William Roper, Alfonso Blanco, Alfonso Blanco Changes in the ecological system of the Salton Sea are an environmental concern in southern California, specially the increases in blue-green algae blooms that have occurred in recent years. To address this environmental impact images acquired by the MODIS-TERRA satellite spectrometer were used for retrieving water quality information from the Salton Sea. The MODIS channels with 250-m resolution were suitable for monitoring the surface-floating phytoplankton (algae blooms). GIS data management and analysis tools were used to derive spatial coverage, density, and dynamic behavior. The colors present in the images were evaluated to assess vertical distribution of the algae blooms and provided insights for further research. The relatively good resolution and daily overpasses due to the wide measurement swath make MODIS-TERRA well suited for monitoring the algae blooms in the Salton Sea. William Roper George Mason University Center for Earth Observation and Space Research 4400 University Drive, Mail Stop 4A6 Fairfax , VA 22030 US Phone: 703 993 1648 E-mail: wroper@gmu.edu Alfonso Blanco U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Wastewater Management 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington , DC 20460 US Phone: 202 564 0632 E-mail: blanco.alfonso@epa.gov Alfonso Blanco U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Wastewater Management 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington , DC 20460 US Phone: 202 564 0632 E-mail: blanco.alfonso@epa.gov |
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