On the Potential of Robust Satellite Techniques Approach for SPM Monitoring in Coastal Waters: Implementation and Application over the Basilicata Ionian Coastal Waters Using MODIS‐Aqua

Abstract

Abstract:Monitoring river plume dynamics and variations in complex coastal areas can provide useful information to prevent marine environmental damage. In this work, the Robust Satellite Techniques (RST) approach has been implemented and tested on historical series of Aqua Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data to monitor, for the first time, Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) anomalies associated to river plumes. To this aim, MODIS-Aqua Level 1A data were processed using an atmospheric correction adequate for coastal waters, and SPM daily maps were generated applying an algorithm adapted from literature. The RST approach was then applied to these maps to assess the anomalous presence of SPM. The study area involves the Basilicata region coastal waters (Ionian Sea, South of Italy). A long-time analysis (2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012)(2013)(2014)(2015) conducted for the month of December allows us to find that the maximum SPM concentration value was registered in December 2013, when an extreme hydrological event occurred. A short-time analysis was then carried out applying RST to monitor the dynamics of anomalous SPM concentrations. Finally, the most exposed areas, in terms of SPM concentration, were identified. The results obtained in this work showed the RST high potential when used in combination with standard SPM daily maps to better characterize and monitor coastal waters.

Analyzing the December 2013 Metaponto Plain (Southern Italy) Flood Event by Integrating Optical Sensors Satellite Data

“…Under this hypothesis, values of ALICE NIR/VIS (or ALICE NIR-VIS ) <−2 can be associated to rare events (probability of occurrence less than 2.5%) and values <−3 to very rare events (probability of occurrence less than 0.13%). Hence, statistically significant signal anomalies are expected for ALICE NIR/VIS (or ALICE NIR-VIS ) <−2 at least, with an increasing level of confidence when moving to the lowest ones (i.e., −3, −4) [12,14,24].…”

“…A flood event affected a large portion of the Metaponto plain, in the southeastern part of the Basilicata region (southern Italy), including a subset of the Puglia region (Figure 1), in the first week of December 2013 [18,19,23]. This event was caused by a significant amount of rainfall due to the "Ciclone Nettuno" storm that occurred in the Basilicata region between 30 November and 3 December 2013 [24]. A medium cumulative precipitation value of 150 mm was registered for the whole Basilicata Region between 1 and 2 December 2013, with peaks above 200 mm in the Metaponto plain [18,21].…”

A MODIS-Based Robust Satellite Technique (RST) for Timely Detection of Oil Spilled Areas

“…Therefore, the higher the absolute value measured, the lower the probability of occurrence. Namely, the probability decreases from about 2.5% for |⊗ ρx | > 2 to 1.5% for |⊗ ρx | > 3, and even lower values for increasing |⊗ ρx | values [53] in case of a perfect Gaussian distribution. Therefore, in the presence of oil, which should represent a perturbation of the normal seawater condition, such an index will show high positive values in case of a positive contrast and the opposite (i.e., high negative) in case of a negative one.…”

On the Potential of RST-FLOOD on Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite Data for Flooded Areas Detection

“…Such an index is, for its inherent design, a standardized variable that should show a Gaussian behaviour (i.e., mean~0 and standard deviation~1), therefore, the higher the absolute value measured, the lower the probability of occurrence [49]. Namely, the probability of occurrence of an anomalous signal decreases from about 4.5% for |⊗ V | > 2 (level of statistical significance) to 0.3% for |⊗ V | > 3 and even lower values for increased |⊗ V | [30]. The analysis at pixel level of long-term signal series acquired under the same observation conditions (i.e., same sun height, same land use/cover according to "seasonal" dynamics, almost similar weather/climatic conditions) automatically allows the overcoming of possible site effects [22].…”

“…Looking at the data in Table 1 it is worth noting an evident increase in the water level of all the rivers during the first week of December 2013 ( Figure 2), which suggests the occurrence of an extreme hydrological event. The "Ciclone Nettuno" storm hit the Basilicata Region between 30 November and 3 December 2013, producing heavy convective precipitation [29][30]. A daily precipitation value of 130 mm was recorded on 1 December at the Bradano River gauging station, with a cumulative one of 200 mm for the entire event [31], indicating the strong intensity of this meteorological event.…”