Water quality investigation using remote sensing and GIS techniques of the Istinye inlet on the Bosphorus

Berna Tandac, H.Gonca Coskun
Istanbul Technical University, Civil Engineering Faculty
Remote Sensing Division, 34469 Maslak/Istanbul/TURKEY
Phone: 90 (212) 285 37 75 Fax: 90 (212) 285 65 87
tandac@itu.edu.tr

KEYWORDS

Remote Sensing (RS), Geographical Information System (GIS), water quality, raster data, classification

ABSTRACT

This study demonstrates that the hydrodynamic-condition of water pollution in the Istinye Inlet on the Bosphorus side is quite complex in nature. It may be appropriate to investigate this pollution by processing the digital images taken from data in conjunction with the help of the conceptual methods of remote sensing. The very important environmental problem of water pollution can be examined by processing and classifying satellite data. Since remote sensing methods permit large regions of the environment to be studied, pollution problems can also be determined. As the result of population growth and industrial development in Istanbul, the study area is being affected negatively by the waste discharged from industrial plants and residential areas. The Istınye Inlet was investigated using satellite digital data (IRS-1D, LISS-III) with water quality measurements that were collected. Satellite data recorded and coregistered for a portion of Istinye Inlet overlay analysis and GIS was then used to combine the oceanographic data generated from controlled and uncontrolled classification for the water cover area. When interpretations of the final satellite images are compared with the water quality reference data, it can be observed that both residential and industrial discharges are correctly displayed on satellite imagery. These observed reflectances show a strong relationship with the collected ground truth observations. As the reflectance (in the turbidity area) in the longer red and near IR wavelength increases faster than the reflectance in the shorter blue and green wavelengths, it can be seen that turbidity levels are positively related to reflectance.

Last Update: 2005-03-17