Marine Science Faculty Publications
Harbour Dredging and Fish Mortality in an Aquaculture Zone: Assessment of Changes in Suspended Particulate Matter Using Multi-sensor Remote-sensing Data
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2014
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1080/01431161.2014.916446
Abstract
The semi-closed Rushan Bay is one of the largest aquaculture bases in North China, with its only navigation channel connecting the Rushan harbour and the Yellow Sea. Recent economic growth with increased import and export demands have stimulated a dredging operation, starting on 26 March 2010, which was paused on 17 June 2010 after numerous reports of mortality of cultured shellfish, such as clam (Ruditapes philippinarum), among other precious marine animals. A lawsuit was filed to settle the dispute between the dredging company and an aquaculture company, yet there was endless debate on whether the mortality was caused by the dredging operations. Here, using multi-sensor remote-sensing data collected by Landsat/ETM+, HJ-1A&1 B/CCD, and Aqua & Terra/MODIS, we addressed the two critical questions of (1) whether there was a significant increase in the suspended particulate matter (SPM) in the aquaculture area during and after the dredging operations; and (2) if the answer is yes, whether such an increase was a direct result of the dredging. After careful selection of the satellite data and algorithms, the results from all three sensors suggested positive answers to both questions. In the 2 km2 aquaculture zone where significant mortality of cultured clam was reported, SPM derived from all three sensors during the dredging period was found to be at least 20 mg l–1 higher than that during the same period in previous years, far exceeding the 10 mg l–1 threshold value that has been used to gauge water quality degradation.
Was this content written or created while at USF?
Yes
Citation / Publisher Attribution
International Journal of Remote Sensing, v. 35, issue 11-12, p. 4383-4398
Scholar Commons Citation
He, Ming-Xia; Hu, Lianbo; and Hu, Chuanmin, "Harbour Dredging and Fish Mortality in an Aquaculture Zone: Assessment of Changes in Suspended Particulate Matter Using Multi-sensor Remote-sensing Data" (2014). Marine Science Faculty Publications. 1932.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/msc_facpub/1932
