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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)

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MODIS 250 m Data

• MODIS Terra (morning) and Aqua (afternoon)• ca 1 ½ day revisit time

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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

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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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Multi-temporal MODIS Images

Terra

Aqua

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ECOMSED vs. MODIS TSM

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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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NASA ResearchSpacecraft

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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

Earth-Sun System Science

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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

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Integrating Knowledge, Capacity and Systems into Solutions

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Application Focus Areas and Partners