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Using Multi-temporal MODIS 250 m Data to Calibrate and
Validate a Sediment Transport Model for Environmental
Monitoring of Coastal Waters
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Richard L. Miller, Carlos E. Del CastilloNASA, Applied Sciences Directorate, SSC
Chandrasekhar Chilmakuri, A. Alex McCorquodale, Ioannis GeorgiouFMI Center for Environmental Modeling, University of New Orleans
Brent A. McKee
Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Tulane University
Eurico J. D’SaCoastal Studies Institute, Louisiana State University
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Importance of Suspended Sediments
High concentrations of suspended materials directly affect many water column and benthic processes such as phytoplankton productivity, coral growth,productivity of submerged aquatic vegetation, nutrient dynamics, and the transport of pollutants and other materials.
Knowing the concentration, spatial distribution, and dynamics of suspended sediments in coastal aquatic systems is an important goal of many research and environmental monitoring programs.
The distribution and flux of suspended sediments is highly variable in coastal environments and vary over a broad spectrum of time and space scales.
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Traditional field measurements can not effectively monitor suspended sediments at the desired spatial and temporal scales
Use of remote sensing technology to map suspended sediment is well documented. Problems with clouds, spatial resolution, and revisit time.
Use of numerical models for environmental studies is also widely documented. No problem with clouds – however, limited observations for boundary and initial conditions.
Potential solution – combine remote sensing and numerical model.
Space Observations & Modeling
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MODIS 250 m Data
• MODIS Terra (morning) and Aqua (afternoon)• ca 1 ½ day revisit time• TSM vs. MODIS Terra (Miller and McKee, 2004)
MODIS Terra 250 m Band 1 Reflectance (%)
0.00 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06
TS
M (
mg/
l)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
TSM = -1.91 * 1140.25(MODIS Band 1)
r2 = 0.96
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MODIS 250 m Data
• MODIS Terra (morning) and Aqua (afternoon)• ca 1 ½ day revisit time• TSM vs. MODIS Terra (Miller and McKee, 2004)
Band 1620 – 670 nm
Band 2841 – 876 nmSSC MODIS X-band ground station
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ECOMSED Model
The Estuarine Coastal and Ocean Modeling System with Sediment, ECOMSED, is a derivative model from the Princeton Ocean Model (POM). Has a comprehensive sediment model that simulates the combined effects of currents and waves on the resuspension and settling of inorganic particles.
Hydrodynamics and the transport components of the model have been calibrated and validated for Lake Pontchartrain, the sediment transport module of the model has not.
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Case Study: Lake Pontchartrain, LA
• shallow urbanized estuary• wind-driven resuspension and sediment transport• transport of pollutants / fecal coliform (human health) • nursery to many fish species
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Conclusions and Future Work
The ECOMSED model calibration was significantly improved using multi- temporal TSM images derived from MODIS 250 m images
The model captured the general spatial distribution as indicated in the MODIS images; however, the model tended to over-estimate suspended sediment concentrations in shallow areas.
Future improvements include: field samples to better calibrate MODIS images (i.e., Aqua), field studies to better define the spatial variation in the sediment parameters in the numerical model, and modifying the model to accept spatially varying sediment and wind fields.
Conduct numerical model simulations and processed image data to provide reliable estimates of storm water discharge and fecal coliform distributions.
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Forces acting on the Earth system
Earth system responses IMPACTS
Feedbacks
Planet Earth - a Dynamic System
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How is the global Earth system changing?
What are the primary forcings of the Earth system?
How does the Earth system respond to natural and human-induced changes?
What are the consequences of changes in the Earth system for human civilization?
How well can we predict future changes in the Earth system?
How is the Earth changing and what are the consequences of life on Earth?
Overarching Science Questions
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Ecological Forecasting
AgriculturalEfficiency
Air Quality
Invasive Species
Aviation
Energy Management
CarbonManagement
WaterManagement
Homeland Security
Disaster Management
Coastal Management
Applications of National Priority
Public Health