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Assessment of water quality parameters of the Harike wetland in India, a Ramsar site, using IRS LISS IV satellite data

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Abstract

This study aims at the classification and water quality assessment of Harike wetland (Ramsar site) in India using satellite images from the Indian Remote Sensing satellite, Resourcesat (IRS P6). The Harike wetland is a converging zone of two rivers, Beas and Sutlej. The satellite images of IRS Linear Imaging Self Scanner (LISS) IV multispectral sensor with three bands (green, red, and near infrared (NIR)) and a spatial resolution of 5.8 m were classified using supervised image classification techniques. Field points for image classification and water sampling were recorded using a Garmin eTrex Global Positioning System. The water quality parameters assessed were dissolved oxygen, conductivity, pH, turbidity, total and suspended solids (SS), chemical oxygen demand, and Secchi disk transparency (SDT). Correlations were established between turbidity and SS, SS and SDT, and total solids and turbidity. Using reflectance values from the green, red, and NIR bands, we then plotted the water quality parameters with the mean digital number values from the satellite imagery. The NIR band correlated significantly with the water quality parameters, whereas, using SDT values, it was observed that the green and the red reflectance bands were able to distinguish the waters from the two rivers, which have different water qualities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botanical & Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, 143 005, Punjab, India

    Samson Okongo Mabwoga & Ashwani Kumar Thukral

  2. Biodiversity Division, Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research), 176 061, Palampur (H.P), India

    Amit Chawla

Authors
  1. Samson Okongo Mabwoga
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  2. Amit Chawla
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  3. Ashwani Kumar Thukral
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Correspondence to Ashwani Kumar Thukral.

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Mabwoga, S.O., Chawla, A. & Thukral, A.K. Assessment of water quality parameters of the Harike wetland in India, a Ramsar site, using IRS LISS IV satellite data. Environ Monit Assess 170, 117–128 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-009-1220-2

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