ESA project detects aquatic pollution

13 January 2009, 10:09am

January 13, 2009 - The European Space Agency (ESA) has partnered with the Department of Environment and Conservation, C-CORE, and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans on a project which uses satellite-based Earth Observation (EO) to detect aquatic point pollution sources in the Bay of Islands, Bay d’ Espoir and Wabush Lake.

Aquatic point pollution sources are the sites where potentially harmful substances, such as mining discharges, sewage outfalls or industrial outfalls, are emitted directly into a body of water and could adversely affect its aquatic life. The EO technology will allow point sources of pollution in these bodies of water to be monitored and regulated, thereby reducing their environmental impact.

"The success in securing projects from an international agency like ESA speaks to the remarkable work that is ongoing in this province in terms of water resource management," said the Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Environment and Conservation. "This project will not only permit us to utilize innovative technologies to monitor our environment, but it will also allow us to develop plans for reducing pollution in a number of our local water bodies."

The 18-month project focuses on developing and implementing efficient processes to detect aquatic pollution using newly available high-resolution satellites. C-CORE, a Newfoundland and Labrador corporation that provides worldwide innovative engineering services, is the primary contractor and is responsible for the management of the project. The Department of Environment and Conservation will provide the data and assess the overall benefits of the project through the use of leading-edge technologies and will focus primarily on sewage outfalls and mining discharges. Information regarding industrial outfalls will be studied for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

Dr. Amir Ali Khan, Manager of the Hydrologic Modelling Section of the Department of Environment and Conservation, will be the project lead and will travel to Italy in 2010 to present the project outcomes and review plans for long-term sustainability processes developed in the project regarding aquatic pollution.

C-CORE senior manager, Thomas Puestow, will accompany Dr. Khan to Italy. "I look forward to accompanying Dr. Khan to Italy in 2010," said Mr. Puestow. "The awarding of this project signifies the continued recognition of excellence of C-CORE and the Provincial Government as drivers of innovation in Newfoundland and Labrador and internationally."

"The Water Resources Management Division of my department was chosen specifically for this project because of the expertise they have demonstrated on an international level in previous water resources management projects, and they are among the most advanced users of EO data in the country," said Minister Johnson. "These individuals demonstrate excellence in their field, and the rest of the world is becoming more aware of their capabilities."

In 2003, the department, in partnership with C-CORE and the ESA, created the Badger River ice service which is now used in several countries, including Russia. This service involves simulation of ice conditions through a computer model, developed by the division, which is crucial in providing advance flood warnings. Along with satellite imagery, the "Ice Progression Model" allows for accurate location of the ice front and represents a major improvement in flood forecasting capability. The initiative combines ground and space-based observations to develop an integrated environmental monitoring capability.

ESA

Geo: International