Application of MODIS Satellite Data in Modeling Total Suspended Solids in Lake Lanao, Philippines

Abstract

Abstract: Remote Sensing technique has been extremely used in monitoring different water quality parameters. One of these techniques is the use of MODIS (Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer). MODIS satellite imagery nowadays was widely used by different researchers to carry out monitoring freshwater ecosystem. This study conducted in Lake Lanao, Philippines uses the application of MODIS with the effort in deriving an algorithm for total suspended solids (TSS) concentrations from MODIS Terra Surface Reflectance 8-Day L3 Global 500m. In-situ measurements of total suspended solids (TSS) together with the corresponding MODIS reflectance measurements over the Lake in different sampling periods were compared to observe significant correlation using a linear regression analysis. Regression shows that the best correlation coefficients were found during first and second sampling periods with (MODIS Band 1), (MODIS Band 4+MODIS Band 1); and (MODIS         Band 4+MODIS Band 1)/ (MODIS Band 4/MODIS Band 1). Root Mean Square Errors (RMSE) were also used to examine the accuracy of each algorithm developed. The root mean square (RMSE) of the TSS algorithm developed (Eq. (6), (10) and (14)) from MODIS and in-situ measurement resulted in a good correlation with a RMSE values of 1.546 mg/l, 1.553 mg/l and 1.546 mg/l, respectively. This implies the potential of MODIS data to model water quality parameter like suspended solids particularly in Lake Lanao, Philippines. Moreover, it is the first study conducted to model suspended solids using remote sensing (MODIS) in the said area; and it may help those environmental managers in shaping policy decisions in protecting and saving Lake Lanao.