UT researchers use satellites to analyse Estonian coastal waters
23.03.2007
The remote sensing method for coastal waters was elaborated as part of the enviromental monitoring project “Investigation of the changes in coastal sea and remote sensing”. The aim of the project was to test the suitability of different satellites for assessing the situation of Estonian coastal waters and to elaborate algorithms that would permit an estimate of the concentrations of optically active matter (phytoplankton, particulate matter, dissolved organic matter) in the coastal waters of both the Baltic Sea and Lake Peipus.
According to the project’s leader Tiit Kutser, the spread and the impact of suspended matter that results from harbour deepening work in Estonian coastal waters represents a frequently encountered problem for the environment in the areas adjacent to those where deepening work is carried out. “Ascertaining the extent of the impact of deepening work, as well as monitoring the status of the coastal waters of the entire country from ships would be time-consuming and costly. There is hardly any other option for operational monitoring but satellites. At Estonian latitudes, the satellites MODIS Terra and Aqua can provide up to four photos per day,” Kutser explained.
The algorithms for assessing the concentration of suspended matter will find application in future environmental impact assessments of harbour deepening projects and in the monitoring of marine environments. Because of the use of satellites, both will be significantly faster and cheaper than vessel-based monitoring.
The project was funded by the Republic of Estonia Ministry for Environmental Affairs and the Sillamäe Harbour.
Additional information: Tiit Kutser, Senior Research Fellow, UT Estonian Marine Institute, phone +372 671 8947, e-mail: tiit [dot] kutser [ät] ut [dot] ee
Anneli Maaring
UT specialist for public relations
phone +372 737 5683; +372 515 0184
%20anneli [dot] maaring [ät] ut [dot] ee%20">anneli [dot] maaring [ät] ut [dot] ee
/64160
According to the project’s leader Tiit Kutser, the spread and the impact of suspended matter that results from harbour deepening work in Estonian coastal waters represents a frequently encountered problem for the environment in the areas adjacent to those where deepening work is carried out. “Ascertaining the extent of the impact of deepening work, as well as monitoring the status of the coastal waters of the entire country from ships would be time-consuming and costly. There is hardly any other option for operational monitoring but satellites. At Estonian latitudes, the satellites MODIS Terra and Aqua can provide up to four photos per day,” Kutser explained.
The algorithms for assessing the concentration of suspended matter will find application in future environmental impact assessments of harbour deepening projects and in the monitoring of marine environments. Because of the use of satellites, both will be significantly faster and cheaper than vessel-based monitoring.
The project was funded by the Republic of Estonia Ministry for Environmental Affairs and the Sillamäe Harbour.
Additional information: Tiit Kutser, Senior Research Fellow, UT Estonian Marine Institute, phone +372 671 8947, e-mail: tiit [dot] kutser [ät] ut [dot] ee
Anneli Maaring
UT specialist for public relations
phone +372 737 5683; +372 515 0184
%20anneli [dot] maaring [ät] ut [dot] ee%20">anneli [dot] maaring [ät] ut [dot] ee
/64160