Evaluating Water Quality In Indian Sundarban Estuaries Using Remote Sensing

Abstract

This study uses in-situ data analysis and remote sensing to examine the water quality of the Indian Sundarban
estuaries. Along the main estuarine channels, it continuously measures salinity, turbidity, suspended sediment
concentration, and chlorophyll-a concentration, among other crucial water quality parameters. The water
quality parameters were retrieved using atmospheric and geometric correction techniques, where Landsat 8 and
Sentinel-2 satellites' remote sensing data were used input which were then processed using established
algorithms and empirical models. Existing field campaigns served as validation with in-situ measurements for
remote sensing estimates. To evaluate the relationship between in-situ data and estimations acquired from
satellites, correlation analysis was done. A high spatial-temporal variability of water quality was observed. In
river discharge and tidal current affected areas, turbidity and suspended sediment concentrations were higher,
especially through the monsoon season. Enhanced productivity was observed in the western and central
regions, with chlorophyll-a concentrations peaking in pre- and post-monsoon season. Strong correlations (R2
> 0.78) between in-situ measurements and remote sensing estimates were found by the estimation accuracies.
The study emphasizes how crucial the tidal cycle is, seasonal variability, and anthropogenic effects on estuarine
water quality. Such an integrated approach is informative when it comes to conservation and sustainable
management of the Sundarbans.