Water quality monitoring based on sediment distribution using satellite imagery

The aim of this research is to provide a simple way of monitoring water quality in a set of reservoirs using an earth observation based approach. The study carried out was preformed in forty two reservoirs of the Ebro basin. The proposed methodology is based on the development of an algorithm for the estimation of water quality by means of the Landsat 5 TM bands reflectance. Some band ratios were utilized in the model as well. Trophic State Index (TSI), calculated by means of Secchi Disc Transparency data, was estimated using a forward stepwise multiple regression analysis. A great correlation degree for the TSI values prediction was obtained. The best prediction of the dependent variable was explained by the independent variables TM2 band and TM1/TM2 ratio. The final results showed a highly spatial heterogeneity of water quality among reservoirs along the study area. Moreover, an important spatial heterogeneity was also observed in the water bodies.