Automated Extraction for Water Bodies Using New Water Index from Landsat 8 OLI Images

The extraction of water bodies is essential for monitoring water resources,ecosystem services and the hydrological cycle,so analyzing water bodies from remote sensing images is necessary.The water index is designed to highlight water bodies in remote sensing images.We employ a new water index and digital image processing technology to extract water bodies automatically and accurately from Landsat 8 OLI images.Firstly,we preprocess Landsat 8 OLI images with radiometric calibration and atmospheric correction.Subsequently,we apply KT transformation,LBV transformation,AWEI nsh,and HIS transformation to the preprocessed image to calculate a new water index.Then,we perform linear feature enhancement and improve the local adaptive threshold segmentation method to extract small water bodies accurately.Meanwhile,we employ morphological enhancement and improve the local adaptive threshold segmentation method to extract large water bodies.Finally,we combine small and large water bodies to get complete water bodies.Compared with other traditional methods,our method has apparent advantages in water extraction,particularly in the extraction of small water bodies.

Lung recruitment maneuver effects on respiratory mechanics and extravascular lung water index in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome

BACKGROUND：Animal experiments showed that recruitment maneuver （RM） and protective ventilation strategy of the lung could improve oxygenation and reduce extravascular lung water. This study was to investigate the effects of RM on respiratory mechanics and extravascular lung water index （EVLWI） in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome （ARDS）. METHODS：Thirty patients with ARDS were randomized into a RM group and a non-RM group. In the RM group, after basic mechanical ventilation stabilized for 30 minutes, RM was performed and repeated once every 12 hours for 3 days. In the non-RM group, lung protective strategy was conducted without RM. Oxygenation index （PaO2/FiO2）, peak inspiratory pressure （PIP）, Plateau pressure （Pplat）, static pulmonary compliance （Cst） and EVLWI of patients before treatment and at 12, 24, 48, 72 hours after the treatment were measured and compared between the groups. Hemodynamic changes were observed before and after RM. One-way ANOVA, Student＇s t test and Fisher＇s exact test were used to process the data. RESULTS：The levels of PaO2/FiO2 and Cst increased after treatment in the two groups, but they were higher in the RM group than in the non-RM group （P〈0.05）. The PIP and Pplat decreased after treatment in the two groups, but they were lower in the RM group than in the non-RM group （P〈0.05）. The EVLWI in the two groups showed downward trend after treatment （P〈0.05）, and the differences were signifcant at all time points （P〈0.01）; the EVLWI in the RM group was lower than that in the non-RM group at 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours （P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）. Compared with pre-RM, hemodynamics changes during RM were significantly different （P〈0.01）; compared with pre-RM, the changes were not significantly different at 120 seconds after the end of RM （P〉0.05）. CONCLUSIONS： RM could reduce EVLWI, increase oxygenation and lung compliance. The effect of RM on hemodynamics was transient.

A second modified normalized difference water index(SMNDWI) in the case of extracting the shoreline

Due to the fast development of industrialization and urbanization, shorelineextraction is necessary for the sustainable development and environment protection inmany countries. This study focused on the accurate methods of extracting theinstantaneous waterline —shoreline obtained as the same instant as the satellite imageis acquired. Based on NDWI (Normalized Difference Water Index) and MNDWI(Modified Normalized Difference Water Index), the study changed the bandcombination and proposed a second modified normalized water index (SMNDWI) toextract the waterline. And, this new index is applied to three types of coast to evaluatethe performance of this method with traditional ones. Results show that SNDWI isbetter than NDWI and suitable for applying to the waterline extraction.

Vegetation/Soil Synthesis Water Index Using MODIS Data

In consideration of the spectral character of MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) dataand the reflective spectrum of vegetation and soil, NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) and NDWI (Nor-malized Difference Water Index) are deduced using one visible band (0.66μm) and two near-infrared bands (0.86μm,1.24 μm). Vegetation canopy temperature is derived using two thermal infrared bands (8.6 μm and 11μm). Then thevegetation/soil synthesis water index (VSWI) is acquired through analyzing the coupling character of three indexeswhich can reflect the water condition of vegetation. Finally, the synthesis index is verified by equivalent water contentof a single leaf. The matching results show that the synthesis index is directly proportional to the modeled data,which means that the vegetation water content can be reflected using the synthesis index effectively.

Drought trend analysis in a semi-arid area of Iraq based on Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, Normalized Difference Water Index and Standardized Precipitation Index

Drought was a severe recurring phenomenon in Iraq over the past two decades due to climate change despite the fact that Iraq has been one of the most water-rich countries in the Middle East in the past.The Iraqi Kurdistan Region(IKR)is located in the north of Iraq,which has also suffered from extreme drought.In this study,the drought severity status in Sulaimaniyah Province,one of four provinces of the IKR,was investigated for the years from 1998 to 2017.Thus,Landsat time series dataset,including 40 images,were downloaded and used in this study.The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index(NDVI)and the Normalized Difference Water Index(NDWI)were utilized as spectral-based drought indices and the Standardized Precipitation Index(SPI)was employed as a meteorological-based drought index,to assess the drought severity and analyse the changes of vegetative cover and water bodies.The study area experienced precipitation deficiency and severe drought in 1999,2000,2008,2009,and 2012.Study findings also revealed a drop in the vegetative cover by 33.3%in the year 2000.Furthermore,the most significant shrinkage in water bodies was observed in the Lake Darbandikhan(LDK),which lost 40.5%of its total surface area in 2009.The statistical analyses revealed that precipitation was significantly positively correlated with the SPI and the surface area of the LDK(correlation coefficients of 0.92 and 0.72,respectively).The relationship between SPI and NDVI-based vegetation cover was positive but not significant.Low precipitation did not always correspond to vegetative drought;the delay of the effect of precipitation on NDVI was one year.

The construction of normalized enhanced water index and the extraction of supra-glacial water based on WorldView-2 imagery

As an important part of the mass balance of the Ice Sheet,Supra-glacial Water not only reflects the diversity of polar environmental changes,but also plays an important role in the study of global climate and environmental changes.In this paper,we chose northern Greenland as the research area,and constructed a Normalized Enhanced Water Index(NEWI)based on the high-precision WorldView-2 images of different phases during the ablation period in northern Greenland,followed by a statistical analysis on the spectral characteristics of the images were for the typical features in the study area.Then the fuzzy areas with similar gray values of thin sea ice and shallow ice water bodies were located,according to the distribution rules of ground objects and histogram graphic features of the images,so as to enhance the contrast of ground objects between the regions,and finally the extraction of the fine range of water bodies on the ice surface.Experimental results showed that the proposed index effectively highlighted the ice water with the water of the reflectivity difference,compared with the commonly used water index NDWI,etc.,especially in shallow water,which contributes to differentiation from other objects.The precision evaluation showed that the applied method of extraction has higher degree of refinement compared with other methods,by which the ice water can get complete ice water effectively.

Predictive value of extravascular lung water indexed to predicted body weight

AIM: To investigate extravascular lung water indexed to predicted body weight(EVLWIp) and actual body weight(EVLWIa) on outcome of patients with severe sepsis.METHODS: Transpulmonary thermodilution was prospectively used to measure cardiovascular hemodynamics, EVLWIp and EVLWIa via an arterial catheter placed in each patient within 48 h of meeting the criteria for severe sepsis from a medical intensive care unit(ICU) at a university affiliated hospital. Survival was the single dependent variable. In order to examine and compare the predictive power of EVLWIp, EVLWIa and other clinically significant factors in predicting the inhospital survival status of severe sepsis patients in the medical ICU, a receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve method to analyze the significant variables and the area under the ROC curve(AUC) of the variables, P value and 95%CI were calculated.RESULTS: In total, 33 patients were studied. In the ROC curve method analyses, EVLWIp(the AUC: 0.849; P = 0.001, 95%CI: 0.72-0.98) was as predictive for inhospital survival rate as variables with EVLWIa(AUC, 0.829; P = 0.001, 95%CI: 0.68-0.98). The proportion of patients surviving with a low EVLW(EVLWI < 10 m L/kg) was better than that of patients with a higher EVLW, whether indexed by actual(HR = 0.2; P = 0.0002, 95%CI: 0.06-0.42) or predicted body weight(HR = 0.13; P < 0.0001, 95%CI: 0.05-0.35) during their hospital stay with the Kaplan-Meier method(76% vs 12.5%, respectively).CONCLUSION: This investigation proposed that EVLWIp is as good a predictor as EVLWIa to predict inhospital survival rate among severe sepsis patients in the medical ICU.

The influences of canopy temperature measuring on the derived crop water stress index

Crop water stress index(CWSI)is widely used for efficient irrigation management.Precise canopy temperature(T_(c))measurement is necessary to derive a reliable CWSI.The objective of this research was to investigate the influences of atmospheric conditions,settled height,view angle of infrared thermography,and investigating time of temperature measuring on the performance of the CWSI.Three irrigation treatments were used to create different soil water conditions during the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 winter wheat-growing seasons.The CWSI was calculated using the CWSI-E(an empirical approach)and CWSI-T(a theoretical approach)based on the T_(c).Weather conditions were recorded continuously throughout the experimental period.The results showed that atmospheric conditions influenced the estimation of the CWSI;when the vapor pressure deficit(VPD)was>2000 Pa,the estimated CWSI was related to soil water conditions.The height of the installed infrared thermograph influenced the T_(c)values,and the differences among the T_(c)values measured at height of 3,5,and 10 m was smaller in the afternoon than in the morning.However,the lens of the thermometer facing south recorded a higher T_(c)than those facing east or north,especially at a low height,indicating that the direction of the thermometer had a significant influence on T_(c).There was a large variation in CWSI derived at different times of the day,and the midday measurements(12:00-15:00)were the most reliable for estimating CWSI.Negative linear relationships were found between the transpiration rate and CWSI-E(R^(2)of 0.3646-0.5725)and CWSI-T(R^(2)of 0.5407-0.7213).The relations between fraction of available soil water(FASW)with CWSI-T was higher than that with CWSI-E,indicating CWSI-T was more accurate for predicting crop water status.In addition,The R^(2)between CWSI-T and FASW at 14:00 was higher than that at other times,indicating that 14:00 was the optimal time for using the CWSI for crop water status monitoring.Relative higher yield of winter wheat was obtained with average seasonal values of CWSI-E and CWSI-T around 0.23 and 0.25-0.26,respectively.The CWSI-E values were more easily influenced by meteorological factors and the timing of the measurements,and using the theoretical approach to derive the CWSI was recommended for precise irrigation water management.

Assessment of Water Quality in High-Pressure Peruvian Anthropic Sectors of Lake Titicaca Using a Calibrated Index

The world’s lakes are in the process of degradation, with loss of water quality as a result of anthropic influences. This research aimed to evaluate water quality in high-pressure Peruvian anthropic sectors of Lake Titicaca using a calibrated index. The study considered ten important bays with influence from urban sectors. In each bay, surface waters were monitored for six years, considering physical, chemical and microbiological parameters. Water quality was assessed using the NSF Water Quality Index (NSF-WQI) and the one calibrated for Lake Titicaca (WQIT). Comparing the efficiency of these two indices, the WQIT showed a variation from moderately polluted bays to bad quality bays, such as Desaguadero and Yunguyo. These two bays were classified as hypereutrophic, therefore, the uses attributable to this condition are only irrigation and energy production. Applying the NSF-WQI, the results were not able to identify this significative difference, as all bays were classified as moderate quality waters. This result indicates that the WQIT calibration was adequate, as it allows inferring and estimating the water quality of Lake Titicaca with greater precision. According to Peru’s water quality standard for category 4, established for the conservation of the country’s lakes, the parameters that exceeded the standard values were PO4-P (0.035 mg∙L−1) and BOD5 (5 mg∙L−1) in all bays, and TC (1000 MPN mL−1) in Yunguyo bay. These high values indicate eutrophication processes, one of the main problems in the study area. The WQIT calibrated for Lake Titicaca can be used as an efficient tool to assess water quality in high Andean lentic waterbodies in South America.

Development and Application of Water Quality Index (WQI) for the Evaluation of the Physico-Chemical Quality of Groundwater in Gold Mining Areas of Southeastern Senegal

Water is the most essential requirement for life. It provides a variety of purposes such as a source of water supply for drinking, domestic and industrial use, irrigated agriculture, livestock, and mining activities. Evaluating the status of water quality from traditional approaches does not guarantee the whole overview of the water quality situation. Therefore, developing a tool that can convert multiple parameters data into information that is understandable by both technical and non-technical personnel is vital. In this context, the purpose of this paper was to develop, calculate, and apply a water quality index for assessing the suitability (for drinking purposes) of groundwater in the gold mining areas in south-eastern Senegal. The development of this index based on WHO water quality guidelines followed the five standards steps i.e., parameters selection, sub-index formation, parameters weighting and sub-index aggregation and evaluation. Finally, the WQI summarized twelve key water quality parameters into 05 simple terms (excellent, good, medium, poor, and very poor) which is more relevant for reporting to managers and the public in a consistent manner. Thus, it was observed in the study area, that the water quality indexes in artisanal and industrial mining areas are either poor or very poor while in the reference stations (where there are no mining activities) WQI are either good or excellent. This situation was attributed to the effects of mining activities in such zones which contribute to the pollution of groundwater with heavy metals, nitrates, and suspended solids.

Exploring groundwater quality in semi-arid areas of Algeria:Impacts on potable water supply and agricultural sustainability

Groundwater quality assessment is important to assure safe and durable water use.In semi-arid areas of Algeria,groundwater represents the main water resource for drinking water supply of the rural population as well as for irrigation of agricultural lands.Groundwater samples from wells and springs were collected from the Gargaat Tarf and Annk Djemel sub-watersheds of the Oum El Bouaghi,Algeria,and were analyzed and compared with the World Health Organization(WHO)standards.Results showed that most of the measured physical and chemical parameters exceeded the quality limits according to the WHO standards.Groundwater had a slightly alkaline water pH(7.00-7.79),electrical conductivity>1500μS/cm,chloride>500 mg/L,calcium>250 mg/L,and magnesium>155 mg/L.Water quality index(WQI)results showed that 68%of the area had excellent water quality,24%of the samples fell into good category,and only 8%were of poor quality and unsuitable for human consumption.Six wells in the area showed bacterial contamination.Total coliforms(453.9(±180.3)CFU(colony-forming units)/100 mL),fecal coliforms(243.2(±99.2)CFU/100 mL),and fecal streptococci(77.9(±32.0)CFU/100 mL)loads were above the standard limits set by the WHO.These results confirmed that water resources in the study area were strongly influenced by anthropogenic activities and were not recommended for consumption as drinking water.

Effects of nitrogen deposition on the carbon budget and water stress in Central Asia under climate change

Atmospheric deposition of nitrogen(N)plays a significant role in shaping the structure and functioning of various terrestrial ecosystems worldwide.However,the magnitude of N deposition on grassland ecosystems in Central Asia still remains highly uncertain.In this study,a multi-data approach was adopted to analyze the distribution and amplitude of N deposition effects in Central Asia from 1979 to 2014 using a process-based denitrification decomposition(DNDC)model.Results showed that total vegetation carbon(C)in Central Asia was 0.35(±0.09)Pg C/a and the averaged water stress index(WSI)was 0.20(±0.02)for the whole area.Increasing N deposition led to an increase in the vegetation C of 65.56(±83.03)Tg C and slightly decreased water stress in Central Asia.Findings of this study will expand both our understanding and predictive capacity of C characteristics under future increases in N deposition,and also serve as a valuable reference for decision-making regarding water resources management and climate change mitigation in arid and semi-arid areas globally.

Riparian habitat quality as an indicator of land use/land cover effects on riverine water quality

Riparian land use/land cover(LULC)plays a crucial role in maintaining riverine water quality by altering the transport of pollutants and nutrients.Nevertheless,establishing a direct relationship between water quality and LULC is challenging due to the multi-indicator nature of both factors.Water quality encompasses a multitude of physical,chemical,and biological parameters,while LULC represents a diverse array of land use types.Riparian habitat quality(RHQ)serves as an indicator of LULC.Yet,it remains to be seen whether RHQ can act as a proxy of LULC for assessing the impact of LULC on riverine water quality.This study examines the interplay between RHQ,LULC and water quality,and develops a comprehensive indicator to predict water quality.We measured several water quality parameters,including pH(potential of hydrogen),TN(total nitrogen),TP(total phosphorus),T_(water)(water temperature),DO(dissolved oxygen),and EC(electrical conductivity)of the Yue and Jinshui Rivers draining to the Han River during 2016,2017 and 2018.The water quality index(WQI)was further calculated.RHQ is assessed by the InVEST(Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs)model.Our study found noticeable seasonal differences in water quality,with a higher WQI observed in the dry season.The RHQ was strongly correlated with LULC compositions.RHQ positively correlated with WQI,and DO concentration and vegetation land were negatively correlated with T_(water),TN,TP,EC,cropland,and construction land.These correlations were stronger in the rainy season.Human-dominated land,such as construction land and cropland,significantly contributed to water quality degradation,whereas vegetation promoted water quality.Regression models showed that the RHQ explained variations in WQI better than LULC types.Our study concludes that RHQ is a new and comprehensive indicator for predicting the dynamics of riverine water quality.

Formation mechanism of hydrochemical and quality evaluation of shallow groundwater in the Upper Kebir sub-basin,Northeast Algeria

This study investigates the hydrochemical formation mechanism of shallow groundwater in the Upper Kebir upstream sub-basin(Northeastern Algeria).The objective is to evaluate water quality suitability for domestic purposes through the application of water quality index(WQI).A total of 24 water points(wells and borewells)evenly distributed in the basin were collected and analyzed in the laboratory for determining the major ions and other geochemical parameters in the groundwater.The groundwater hydrochemical types were identified as Cl–Na and Cl–HCO_(3)^(–)Na,with the dominant major ions were found in the order of Na^(+)>Ca^(2+)>Mg^(2+)for cations,and Cl^(−)>SO_(4)^(2−)>HCO_(3)^(–)>NO_(3)^(−)for anions.Results suggest that weathering,dissolution of carbonate,sulfate,salt rocks,and anthropogenic activities were the major contributors to ion content in the groundwater.The Water Quality Index(WQI)was calculated to assess the water quality of potable water.Approximately 50%of the sampled sites exhibited good water quality.However,the study highlights significant NO_(3)contamination in the study area,with 50%of samples exceeding permissible limits.Therefore,effective treatment measures are crucial for the safe consumption of groundwater.

Assessment of groundwater suitability for different activities in Toshka district,south Egypt

Globally,groundwater has globally emerged as a crucial freshwater source for domestic,irrigation,and industrial needs.The evaluation of groundwater quality in the Toshka region is imperative to ensure its suitability for the extensive agricultural and industrial activities underway in this promising,groundwater-dependent development area.This is particularly significant as Egypt increasingly relies on groundwater reserves to address freshwater deficits and to implement mega-development projects in barren lands.In this study,fifty-two samples were collected from the recently drilled wells tapping into the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer(NSA)in the Toshka region.Groundwater quality was assessed through hydrochemical analysis,Piper diagram,and various indicators such as Na%,SAR,RSC,KR,MH and PI.The hydrochemical analysis revealed improved groundwater quality characteristics,attributed to continuous recharge from Lake Nasser.The Piper diagram categorised most of the water samples as"secondary salinity"water type.Almost all wells proved suitable for irrigation with only two wells unsuitable based on MH values and six wells based on KR values.Considering Total Hardness(TH)values,all samples were classified as"Soft",indicating their suitability for domestic and industrial purposes.Water Quality Index(WQI)results concluded that all samples met WHO and FAO guidelines for drinking and irrigation,respectively.Spatial distribution maps,constructed using GIS,facilitate the interpretation of the results.Regular monitoring of quality parameters is essential to detect any deviation from permissible limits.

Assessing the Impact of Petrol Service Stations on Selected Physico-Chemical Water Quality Parameters within Port Harcourt Metropolis, Nigeria

This study assessed the impact of petrol service stations on physico-chemical water quality in Port Harcourt metropolis, Rivers State. This threw light on the extent of damage and alteration of water quality in Port Harcourt metropolis as a result of the proliferation of petrol service stations especially the condition of ground and nearby surface water. This serves as a useful tool to government and regulatory authorities for planning especially due to lack of central water supply system in Port Harcourt metropolis. The parameters studied were sampled, measured and analyzed using in situ and other standard methods. Remarkable results above permissible limits of interest for physicochemical parameter analysis revealed pH values from 4.6 to 6.8, electrical conductivity from 0.002 µS/cm to 0.42 µS/cm, salinity from 3 ppm to 4050 ppm, and temperatures from 19.9˚C to 32.6˚C. Total dissolved solids (TDS) varied from 7 ppm to 1000 ppm, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) from 0.167 mg/L to 2.167 mg/L, chemical oxygen demand (COD) from 0.257 mg/L to 3.253 mg/L, and dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations from 1.70 mg/L to 4.30 mg/L. Specifically, water samples from NNPC Filling Station (Choba) and Eneka Pond displayed “Poor” water quality with WQI values of 112.003 and 112.076, respectively. Similarly, ALLTEC Filling Station (Eneka) and TOTAL Filling Station (Rumuomasi) had “Poor” water quality with WQI values of 173.707 and 180.946, respectively. In contrast, Excelsis Filling Station (Akpajo) demonstrated “Good” water quality with a WQI of 85.2072, while Total Filling Stations (Slaughter) and Choba River revealed “unsuitable for drinking” water quality with WQI values of 552.461 and 654.601, respectively. Slaughter River also indicated very poor water quality with a WQI of 442.024. The physicochemical and nutrient analyses of the water samples showed that activities of the filling stations within the study area may have polluted groundwater in the environment posing poor aesthetics and great health risk to consumers of the water bodies. The findings underscore the need for immediate remediation efforts and stricter regulatory measures to protect water quality. The study concluded that surface and groundwater near petrol service stations in Port Harcourt are unfit for drinking and irrigation purposes without adequate treatment.

Integrated Analysis of Water Quality in Artificial Fishponds Using WQI and GIS in South-East Sierra Leone

Artificial fishponds play a pivotal role in global aquaculture, serving as a source of livelihood and nourishment for many communities. Ensuring the sustained health and productivity of Fishes in these environments relies heavily on water quality management. This assessment was done to determine the water quality of ten artificial fishponds in the south-eastern part of Sierra Leone using twelve physicochemical factors (pH, BOD, EC, TDS, turbidity, COD, Fe2+, Mg2+, Ca2+, NH3, , and alkalinity) to find out the Water Quality Index (WQI) and spatial distribution of respective parameters. The assessment of artificial fishponds using WQI and Inverse Distant Weighting (IDW) integration represents a relatively underexplored area within the domain of environmental water resources. The WQI was determined using the “Weighted Arithmetic Water Quality Index’’ method. The results of WQI in the study area range from 65.05 to 147.26. Several locations have water quality deemed unsuitable for consumption, while others range from good to very poor. It is essential to address and improve water quality in locations categorized as unsuitable for consumption and very poor to ensure safe and healthy water sources. It was also clear from the calculation that the smaller the mean concentration value of the pH as compared to the ideal value (7), the smaller the WQI value and the better the water quality. To keep the artificial fishpond water in good condition, mass domestic use should be controlled, and draining of surrounding organic matter should be stopped in ponds Bo_001, Kenema_001, and Kenema_002.

Antecedent Precipitation Index to Estimate Soil Moisture and Correlate as a Triggering Process in the Occurrence of Landslides

Landslides are highly dangerous phenomena that occur in different parts of the world and pose significant threats to human populations. Intense rainfall events are the main triggering process for landslides in urbanized slope regions, especially those considered high-risk areas. Various other factors contribute to the process;thus, it is essential to analyze the causes of such incidents in all possible ways. Soil moisture plays a critical role in the Earth’s surface-atmosphere interaction systems;hence, measurements and their estimations are crucial for understanding all processes involved in the water balance, especially those related to landslides. Soil moisture can be estimated from in-situ measurements using different sensors and techniques, satellite remote sensing, hydrological modeling, and indicators to index moisture conditions. Antecedent soil moisture can significantly impact runoff for the same rainfall event in a watershed. The Antecedent Precipitation Index (API) or “retained rainfall,” along with the antecedent moisture condition from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, is generally applied to estimate runoff in watersheds where data is limited or unavailable. This work aims to explore API in estimating soil moisture and establish thresholds based on landslide occurrences. The estimated soil moisture will be compared and calibrated using measurements obtained through multisensor capacitance probes installed in a high-risk area located in the mountainous region of Campos do Jordão municipality, São Paulo, Brazil. The API used in the calculation has been modified, where the recession coefficient depends on air temperature variability as well as the climatological mean temperature, which can be considered as losses in the water balance due to evapotranspiration. Once the API is calibrated, it will be used to extrapolate to the entire watershed and consequently estimate soil moisture. By utilizing recorded mass movements and comparing them with API and soil moisture, it will be possible to determine thresholds, thus enabling anticipation of landslide occurrences.

Macroinvertebrate Community Index (MCI) and Quantitative Macroinvertebrate Community Index (QMCI) Analysis: A Comparative Study between Le Afe and Mulivaifagatoloa Rivers, Upolu Island, Samoa

The diversity of Samoa’s freshwater macroinvertebrates remains largely unexplored, with past studies focusing on specific species without comprehensive cataloguing. This research evaluated the health of Upolu Island’s rural rivers through macroinvertebrate analysis, particularly in the Le Afe and Mulivaifagatoloa Rivers. Collaborating with Samoa’s Water Resources Division in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), three sites along each river were sampled, representing a gradient from pristine to anthropogenically impacted areas. A total of 2953 macroinvertebrates were collected and classified into five categories using established identification keys. The Macroinvertebrate Community Index (MCI) and Quantitative Macroinvertebrate Community Index (QMCI) were applied for analysis. The results showed no clear pattern of pollutant-sensitive species prevalence or decline in less disturbed rivers. High MCI scores with low QMCI values indicated numerous low-scoring species, while the opposite suggested a richness of high-scoring taxa. Although MCI and QMCI are tools for monitoring freshwater health, this study lays the groundwork for future research to categorize Samoan macroinvertebrates and assign tolerance scores based on their presence in varying river conditions. .

A novel water index for urban high-resolution eight-band WorldView-2 imagery

Land surface water mapping is one of the most important remote-sensing applications.However,water areas are spectrally similar and overlapped with shadow,making accurate water extraction from remote-sensing images still a challenging problem.This paper develops a novel water index named as NDWI-MSI,combining a new normalized difference water index(NDWI)and a recently developed morphological shadow index(MSI),to delineate water bodies from eight-band WorldView-2 imagery.The newly available bands(e.g.coastal,yellow,red-edge,and near-infrared 2)of WorldView-2 imagery provide more potential for constructing new NDWIs derived from various band combinations.Through our testing,a new NDWI is defined in this study.In addition,MSI,a recently developed automatic shadow extraction index from high-resolution imagery can be used to indicate shadow areas.The NDWI-MSI is created by combining NDWI and MSI,which is able to highlight water bodies and simultaneously suppress shadow areas.In experiments,it is shown that the new water index can achieve better performance than traditional NDWI,and even supervised classifiers,for example,maximum likelihood classifier,and support vector machine.