Capability of space borne multispectral image for detecting discoloration in optically complex coastal waters

Coastal pollutants, from harmful algal blooms, sewage and industrial discharges, pose severe risks to marine ecosystems and public health. Recently, Promenade Beach in Puducherry, Southeast-India, experienced reddish-brown water discoloration, suspected to result from either algal blooms or suspende...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine pollution bulletin 2024-10, Vol.207, p.116860, Article 116860
Main Authors: Natarajan, Logesh, Vajravelu, Manigandan, Chandrasekaran, Muthukumar, Ramakrishnan, Sankar Ganesh, Kaviarasan, Thanamegam, Vipin Babu, P., Dash, Sisir Kumar, Ramu, Karri, Murthy, M.V. Ramana
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
chlorophyll
Coastal pollution
Discoloration
marine pollution
mortality
multispectral imagery
NDCI
poisonous algae
public health
Puducherry
remote sensing
Remote Sensing Reflectance (Rrs)
satellites
sewage
TSM
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Summary:Coastal pollutants, from harmful algal blooms, sewage and industrial discharges, pose severe risks to marine ecosystems and public health. Recently, Promenade Beach in Puducherry, Southeast-India, experienced reddish-brown water discoloration, suspected to result from either algal blooms or suspended matter. This study monitored the spatial extent and characteristics of the discoloration using Sentinel-2 satellite images from September to November 2023, with field observations and laboratory analyses. Analyses included measurements of chlorophyll-a (Chl-a), Total Suspended Matter (TSM), and the Normalized Difference Chlorophyll Index (NDCI) to differentiate between algal blooms and other pollutants. The satellite data indicated extents of discoloration, with high TSM concentrations (>45 g/m3) and negative NDCI values suggesting absence of algal blooms. No mortality of aquatic organisms was observed during this discoloration, indicating no deleterious impact on aquatic life. This approach highlights the importance of combining satellite technology with field data for effective coastal pollution monitoring, essential for protecting marine ecosystems. •Sentinel 2 data for monitoring water quality and coastal pollution•C2RCC Atmospheric correction was used to estimate Chl-a and TSM.•Discoloration due to suspended matter and not algal blooms
ISSN:0025-326X
1879-3363
1879-3363
DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116860