Assessing potential of the Geostationary Littoral Imaging and Monitoring Radiometer (GLIMR) for water quality monitoring across the coastal United States

• Published in: Marine pollution bulletin 2023-11, Vol.196, p.115558-115558, Article 115558
• Main Authors: Schaeffer, Blake A., Whitman, Peter, Vandermeulen, Ryan, Hu, Chuanmin, Mannino, Antonio, Salisbury, Joseph, Efremova, Boryana, Conmy, Robyn, Coffer, Megan, Salls, Wilson, Ferriby, Hannah, Reynolds, Natalie
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Environmental Monitoring - methods; Geostationary satellite remote sensing; Glint; Gulf of Mexico; Harmful Algal Bloom; Management; Monitoring; Oil spill; Petroleum Pollution; Satellite Imagery; United States; Water Quality
• ISSN: 0025-326X; 1879-3363; 1879-3363
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115558

The Geostationary Littoral Imaging and Monitoring Radiometer (GLIMR) will provide unique high temporal frequency observations of the United States coastal waters to quantify processes that vary on short temporal and spatial scales. The frequency and coverage of observations from geostationary orbit will improve quantification and reduce uncertainty in tracking water quality events such as harmful algal blooms and oil spills. This study looks at the potential for GLIMR to complement existing satellite platforms from its unique geostationary viewpoint for water quality and oil spill monitoring with a focus on temporal and spatial resolution aspects. Water quality measures derived from satellite imagery, such as harmful algal blooms, thick oil, and oil emulsions are observable with glint 10−5 sr−1. Daily imaging hours range from 6 to 12 h for water quality measures, and 0 to 6 h for oil film applications throughout the year as defined by sun glint strength. Spatial pixel resolution is 300 m at nadir and median pixel resolution was 391 m across the entire field of regard, with higher spatial resolution across all spectral bands in the Gulf of Mexico than existing satellites, such as MODIS and VIIRS, used for oil spill surveillance reports. The potential for beneficial glint use in oil film detection and quality flagging for other water quality parameters was greatest at lower latitudes and changed location throughout the day from the West and East Coasts of the United States. GLIMR scan times can change from the planned ocean color default of 0.763 s depending on the signal-to-noise ratio application requirement and can match existing and future satellite mission regions of interest to leverage multi-mission observations. •Coastal water quality events, such as oil spills, evolve on sub-daily timescales.•GLIMR is a new satellite with high temporal frequency observations for US coasts.•GLIMR spatial resolution is within range of satellites used for oil spill reports.•Glint impedes water quality observations but is beneficial for surface oil films.•Scan times are demonstrated for leveraged observations with other missions.