Chapter 12 - Applications of remote sensing in water quality assessment

Water quality is undeniably an important indicator of the health of an environmental system. Its correct estimation is not only essential for human consumption but also necessary for the well-being of the entire ecosystem. Remote Sensing, coupled with Geographic Information System, has proven to be a powerful tool for monitoring water quality and water pollution. This technology has been tremendously successful in its application for management and planning despite its limitation of parameters under consideration. Remote Sensing reads and maps the spectral reflectance that it receives from a water body, and by using various wavelength bands such as visible, NIR, SWIR, and TIR, it identifies the relevant water quality characteristic. Several types of research and literature are available where the data obtained from these airborne or spaceborne remote sensors are used for planning, monitoring, management, and prediction of water characteristics across the globe. Sometimes in situ measurement is coupled with Remote Sensing to ensure the accuracy of the quantifications being made. The technology has also been used extensively to monitor groundwater quality aspects. Remotely sensed data come with the added advantage of being readily available even at the remotest of locations. While assessing water quality, remote sensing parameters such as suspended sediments, algae, turbidity, and chlorophyll concentration can easily be monitored. They can enable consultants and natural resource managers to develop management plans for a variety of natural resource management applications.