The value of remote sensing in the environmental management of dredging projects
Type:
Presented during:
CEDA Dredging Days 2015 - Innovative Dredging Solutions for Ports, Rotterdam
Authors:
Knaeps E, Bertels L, Van De Kerchove R, De Keukelaere L and Goor E - VITO, Belgium; Raymaekers D - USENSE, Belgium; Bollen M and Decrop B - IMDC, Belgium
Abstract: Remote sensing of coastal waters and coastal vegetation has made significant improvements over the last 5 years. Thanks to significant R&D efforts in the atmospheric correction, water quality retrieval algorithms and vegetation classification high quality products can be produced worldwide. Here a selection of remote sensing derived products is made which can be fully integrated in the environmental management of dredging projects. These products can be archived and processed in a short term thanks to a high degree of automation and they can be distributed and visualized thanks to novel web based services. One example is the monitoring of the surface suspended sediment concentrations. Remote sensing provides complete coverage of the suspended sediment at the dredging site and allows to go back in time to understand the historic and natural dynamics of the suspended sediment. Another example is the monitoring of coastal vegetation where remote sensing can provide information on the distribution and the evolution of the vegetation over time. This information can complement the available field data and modelling and can help in the environmental management before, during and after the dredging works.
Key words: remote sensing, suspended sediment, vegetation, drone