This document discusses using remote sensing (RS) and geographic information systems (GIS) tools to manage water quality. RS allows for monitoring water quality parameters continuously over space and time, unlike traditional point-based methods. The author proposes integrating RS and GIS into the US EPA's Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program to develop a predictive water quality model in a cost-effective manner. RS can measure parameters like sediments and temperature that influence water optical and thermal properties. Other pollutants can be measured indirectly through surrogate indicators. The model would assess spatial pollution distribution to better represent whole waterbody conditions versus discrete site data.
This document discusses using remote sensing (RS) and geographic information systems (GIS) tools to manage water quality. RS allows for monitoring water quality parameters continuously over space and time, unlike traditional point-based methods. The author proposes integrating RS and GIS into the US EPA's Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program to develop a predictive water quality model in a cost-effective manner. RS can measure parameters like sediments and temperature that influence water optical and thermal properties. Other pollutants can be measured indirectly through surrogate indicators. The model would assess spatial pollution distribution to better represent whole waterbody conditions versus discrete site data.
This document discusses using remote sensing (RS) and geographic information systems (GIS) tools to manage water quality. RS allows for monitoring water quality parameters continuously over space and time, unlike traditional point-based methods. The author proposes integrating RS and GIS into the US EPA's Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program to develop a predictive water quality model in a cost-effective manner. RS can measure parameters like sediments and temperature that influence water optical and thermal properties. Other pollutants can be measured indirectly through surrogate indicators. The model would assess spatial pollution distribution to better represent whole waterbody conditions versus discrete site data.
This document discusses using remote sensing (RS) and geographic information systems (GIS) tools to manage water quality. RS allows for monitoring water quality parameters continuously over space and time, unlike traditional point-based methods. The author proposes integrating RS and GIS into the US EPA's Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program to develop a predictive water quality model in a cost-effective manner. RS can measure parameters like sediments and temperature that influence water optical and thermal properties. Other pollutants can be measured indirectly through surrogate indicators. The model would assess spatial pollution distribution to better represent whole waterbody conditions versus discrete site data.
Arjumand Z. Zaidi Assistant Professor, RS and GIS department, Institute of Space Technology (IST), Karachi, Pakistan; PH (92-21)34650765 Email: arjumand.zaidi@ist.edu.pk
ABSTRACT
Recent advances in remote sensing (RS) approaches have provided the capacity to acquire water quality information at spatial and temporal resolutions beyond the capability of infrequent and point scale in-situ measurement. Through integrating remote sensing data with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), an advanced approach to study water quality issues is possible. Traditional water quality assessment and monitoring techniques are time, data and consequently capital intensive - often beyond the means of developing countries. Utilizing the geospatial capacity of RS and GIS approaches provides a cost-effective and research quality solution to these issues. The purpose of this paper is to present an integrated approach utilizing geospatial techniques to address water quality issues under the framework of US Environmental Protection Agency’s (USEPA) Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program. A TMDL is the calculated maximum amount of a pollutant that a waterbody can receive without violating the water quality standard appropriate for its intended use. This paper will demonstrate the usefulness of these technologies by proposing a RS and GIS based water quality predictive model. The future goal of this study is to apply the proposed strategy for developing countries where project budgets are usually very limited to show the usefulness of geospatial technologies in optimizing limited resources of a project without compromising the reliability of outputs - rather more realistic outcomes are expected to be achieved.
INTRODUCTION
In recent years remote sensing systems have advanced in leaps and bounds. Several efforts have been put in worldwide by researchers employing remote sensing (RS) and geographical information systems (GIS) techniques for acquiring water quality data. The repetitive multispectral and synoptic nature of satellite remote sensing may provide a continuous monitoring of waterbodies, both spatial and temporal, as opposed to a limited frequency point measurement. Water quality restoration programs can utilize RS and GIS techniques for water quality monitoring and management. Traditional water quality assessment and monitoring techniques are time, data and consequently capital intensive. The geospatial technologies for such studies are proved to be more cost effective and accurate as compared to the traditional approaches. In this study an advance and cost effective approach is proposed using emerging technologies of satellite RS and GIS for water quality restoration programs.
those substances or conditions that influence and change optical and/or thermal characteristics of the surface water properties like suspended sediments and temperature (Ritchie et al., 2004). Other pollutants can be measured indirectly utilizing RS techniques through surrogate indicators (chlorophyll a for nutrients: Chlorophyll a is an indicator of algal biomass caused by the elevated nutrient levels).
TMDL is chosen in this study for integrating RS and GIS techniques into its traditional process in the form of a predictive model. A modified TMDL process called Economic TMDL (Zaidi and deMonsabert, 2008) is used for this study. A TMDL represents the maximum amount of a pollutant that a waterbody can receive without violating the water quality standard defined for a given use. The TMDL process first calculates the maximum quantity of pollutant load that a waterbody can receive from all sources without exceeding the water quality standards and then it allocates this load among the identified sources. The Economic TMDL process performs an additional economic analysis at load allocation phase. The objective of this paper is to demonstrate the potential of RS and GIS techniques in assessing the water quality parameters and monitoring the effectiveness of subsequent cleanup operations for water quality restoration programs like Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL).
BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
Water quality deterioration has now become a global problem irrespective of any particular geographical or climatologically limitations or socio-economic factors. Most developed regions of the world are also facing impairment of water resources due to the growing pollution in their waterbodies. The quality of water can be affected not only by point source pollutants but major pollution contributing factors now-a-days are nonpoint sources impairing thousands of waterbodies worldwide. Runoff from agricultural areas and urban land carries majority of the nonpoint source pollutants to these waters. Water quality issues in developing countries are even more serious where project budgets are usually very limited for implementing the water quality restoration plans resulting in a high vulnerability of the population at risk.
The rising number of impaired waterbodies coupled with the growing demand for water is the main driving force behind initiation of water restoration programs all over the world. Water restoration and management programs require pollution from contributing sources to be reduced to levels that are consistent with the waterbody’s assimilative capacity. An example of such programs is United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (USEPA) Total Maximum daily Load (TMDL). TMDL program of USEPA is a water-quality based initiative to restore US impaired waters for their intended uses under its Clean Water Act.
spatial aspect of pollution distribution. The knowledge of spatial distribution of environmental
parameters is important for understanding the quality of water. Also, if there are some abnormalities present at these monitoring sites then the quality assessment may deliver erroneous results. Not only the water quality data representative of the actual condition is required for cleanup programs like TMDLs but also up to date landuse and land cover information is required while dealing with the nonpoint pollutants. All of the required data/information if acquired through traditional approaches is discontinuous in time and space and also time and capital intensive. Remote sensing data along with ground measurements can provide continuous temporal and spatial mapping of water quality parameters. RS and GIS techniques can also be used in formulating the management plans to improve the quality of impaired waters. An effective TMDL implementation plan can be developed by managing landuse activities using RS and GIS techniques to reduce pollutant movements to the waterbody. Information regarding rate of development or the pollution producing activities within a drainage area when compared with temporal water quality variation may help in establishing a link between contributing pollution sources and their impact on the quality of receiving water. This information is very helpful for identifying critical pollutant sources, allocating pollutant budget to polluters and developing overall management plans.
Many researchers have employed RS techniques to assess various water quality parameters such as suspended sediments or turbidity, temperature, and chlorophyll a (Ritchie et al., 2004, Ahmad, 2007, and others).The previous studies of this type have shown a good relationship between distribution of suspended sediment concentrations and spectral reflectance of satellite images. Thermal band of satellite data is used for calculating the surface temperature of waterbodies. Other variables that can not be quantified through satellite data like bacteria and nutrient, surrogate indicators are being tested for their validity.
Imagery Merge Environmental Variables • Metrological Data • Population Data GIS Layers • Live Stock data (Spatial + Aspatial Data) • Water quality criteria • Landuse coverage • Etc. • Soil Type • Forest Cover • Streams • Elevation • Watershed Boundary • Etc.
Water Quality Model
Predictive Model for Water Quality Restoration and
Planning
Figure 1: Conceptual scheme for a Generic Water Quality Restoration and Planning Model
The RS based water quality predictive model is capable of achieving the following objectives:
Integrating geospatial (RS/GIS) techniques into TMDL traditional process
Developing multivariate statistical relationships between water quality variables, (suspended sediments, temperature, Chlorophyll a) and multispectral satellite data for sample waterbodies using geostatistical tools, satellite imagery and real-time in situ measurements, Testing of surrogate indicators for measuring the parameters that can not be quantified through satellite data like bacteria and nutrients, Comparing the results of the model in terms of accuracy and cost with the results acquired through traditional approaches, Developing water quality thematic maps for environmental parameters modelled in the study, Developing maps showing temporal changes in quality of water in sample water bodies using historical RS data, Developing maps showing violation of water quality standards, and Generating data and thematic maps that may be further used for future analysis
The methodology for establishing spatial relationship between satellite data and field measured water quality parameters involves the following key steps:
Acquisition of Satellite Data
Multi-temporal satellite data is required for this purpose. For Landuse/ land cover classification medium-spatial resolution Landsat satellite data can be used. Multispectral data from earth observing satellite SPOT 5 and Landsat 7 data may be utilized for establishing spatial relationship between satellite data and field measured water quality parameters.
RS and GIS Analysis
Geo-referenced datasets may be created using digitally processed satellite images using image to image or map to image geo-referencing techniques. The following key steps are required for the analysis:
i. Classification of RS images to determine landuse/land cover activities (helps in
program also mandates to develop cleanup plans for polluted waters and monitor their effectiveness.
CONCLUSIONS
The purpose of this study is to show the potential of integrating RS and GIS techniques in water quality restoration programs. An advance and cost effective approach is proposed for water quality monitoring and management of impaired waterbodies under the framework of US Environmental Protection Agency’s (USEPA) Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program. Remote sensing based water quality predictive model is presented in this paper that involves developing GIS thematic maps for different water quality parameters for impaired waterbodies by establishing spatial relationship between satellite data and field measured water quality parameters. The success of the methodology will enable rapid mapping of water quality parameters lot easier than the traditional means. The results of the study could be used to evaluate the quality of a waterbody used for different purposes. RS/GIS temporal and spatial analysis tools will enable more reliable and timely assessment of temporal changes in water quality. The beneficiaries of this study will comprise of but not limited to water quality restoration programs all over the world. The effectiveness of these programs can also be monitored on a repetitive basis utilizing this approach.
REFERENCES
1. Ahmad, S.R., (2007). “Using satellite data to assess sediments in Near-shore waters along the Guyana Coast”. Journal of Indo Caribbean Research. Vol.7, No.1, Academic Source Publishers, pp.55‐71.
2. Ritchie, J., Cooper, C., (2004). “Remote Sensing Techniques for Determining Water Quality: Applications to TMDLs”. USDA Agriculture Research Service, Hydrology and Remote Sensing Laboratory and National Sedimentation Laboratory. http://www.geo.tu- freiberg.de/studenten/Baikal_2004/remote_water_quality.pdf
3. USEPA, (2011): “Impaired Waters and Total Maximum Daily Loads”, United States Environmental Protection Agency. http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/lawsguidance/cwa/tmdl/
4. Zaidi, A., deMonsabert, S. El. Farhan R., (2008). “How to Include Economic Analysis TMDL Allocation?” J. Water Resour. Plng. and Mgmt-ASCE. 134(3), 214-10.
