How Satellite Images Provide Total Phosphorus Monitoring White ...

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Total Phosphorus Water Monitoring UsingSatellite ImageryIntroductionBlue Water Satellite, Inc. (BWSI) has developed methods to detectconcentrations of Total Phosphorus in surface water using our Satelliteimagery and patented algorithms which results in a data screening toolwhich makes it possible to evaluate data over entire surface water bodiesin a single snapshot of time. This paper describes the process usingexamples from data sets collected and made available for use by BWSIin the evaluation of our Total Phosphorus Models.Problem StatementThe ability to capture water quality data sets over the surfaceof entire water bodies has been a goal of surface waterprofessionals for decades. Providing data sets withoutconsiderable data gaps is quite difficult using field samplingmethodology. Characterizing the chemistry of a surface waterbody is typically limited by:• Large surface areas• Time constraints• Available manpower• Access to sample collection points• Project cost or budget constraintsThese limitations typically result in the gathering of grabsamples that are not sufficient to statistically represent theaverage chemical characteristics of the entire surface waterarea being studied. Consequently, these data gaps may lead tothe compilation of misleading, overly conservative and/orinadequate evaluations with respect to monitoring andremedial efforts towards improving water quality. In addition,scanning the entire water body highlights areas of significantimpact so the user can focus monitoring and remedial efforts atthose locations. In many instances, this results in reducingcosts for monitoring or physical/chemical treatments becausethe entire water body does not have to be monitored orchemicals may not need to be applied to an entire lake. Thisfocused approach to remediation results in a level of detail notpossible using evaluations from single grab samples. Thus,there is a need for an efficient and cost effective method forobtaining the comprehensive data packages offered by BlueWater Satellite to supplement current monitoring andmodeling programs.Previous OptionsCurrently, surface water data can be collected in-situ using fieldsampling methods. Data is typically collected by a fieldtechnician who may analyze water samples using fieldinstruments, portable laboratory kits or through the process ofsending samples into a laboratory. Deciding what method touse depends upon the goals of specific projects and data qualityrequirements. Costs for field sampling will include labor,equipment, fuel, laboratory and reporting fees. These costs aretypically in the hundreds of dollars (US) per sample. Recentfield sampling estimates obtained by BWSI for the collection of30 samples at discrete locations on a 11,000-acre lake forCyanobacteria, total Phosphorus, Nitrogen, and E. coliwere estimated at $600/data point using standard fieldcollection techniques.Blue Water Satellite, Inc.PAGE 1
Total Phosphorus Water Monitoring UsingSatellite ImageryBWSI SolutionBWSI developed methods to measure concentrations of totalPhosphorus in surface water bodies using satellite data. Theprocess includes obtaining satellite images, processing themusing BWSI patented algorithms and producing results.Archived data allows BWSI to be able to provide data back to1984. Data for each sample point is presented to the client intwo forms:• An image file (pdf, jpg, or tif)Benefit 4Allows the user to focus time, materials and money on the mostsignificant sources of pollution (i.e. Why treat the entire waterbody when only 20% of it has a problem).Benefit 5BWSI processed images provide data covering the entire surfacewater bodies. This allows the user to develop a comprehensivedata picture of the entire surface water body.• GIS data including the concentration of totalPhosphorus (ppm) and the latitude/longitudecoordinates for each data point.Benefit 1BWSI’s 5 samples per acre allows for a statistically significantevaluation of trends in Total Phosphorus Concentration inwater because of the large amount of data points that can begenerated (5,000 samples for a 1,000 acre water body). Theaverage concentrations are more representative.Benefit 2BWSI data can be used to validate models such as TMDLmodels to assure model fidelity.Benefit 6BWSI can provide historical data back to 1984. This canprovide a benefit to users who may require data evaluations inareas where historical data is not currently available.ImplementationBWSI has compared Total Phosphorus data generated fromprocessed images of specific water bodies for whichfield-collected and laboratory analyzed data were available.This “correlation exercise” has shown that the BWSI imagedata correlates to values generated by laboratory methods,providing a screening tool to evaluate trends in total Phosphorusconcentrations over an entire water body.Benefit 3BWSI images create a costs effective approach to gathercomprehensive data that would not otherwise be availableusing traditional sampling methods. Costs range from $0.10 to$2.00/acre depending upon the total project area.Blue Water Satellite, Inc.PAGE 2
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