Monitoring spatial and temporal variation of field water quality and sediment organic matter for comparison of satellite image data

Abstract

Sechura Bay (05°12’ to 05°50’S and 80°50’ to 81°12’W) is delimited in the north by Punta Gobernador and Punta Aguja to the south, has an approximate extension of 89 km2, and is within the Piura Region, Peru. It is considered within the transition zone between cold water transported from the south by the Humboldt Current and warm water of the tropical equatorial region. Sechura Bay is an area of high economic importance and an ecosystem with high marine biodiversity due to fan shell (Argopecten purpuratus) production and artisanal fishing. fan shell is an edible marine species of saltwater shellfish, a bivalve mollusk in the family Pectinidae. To use satellite image data in real-time at the survey point, information such as GIS (geographic information system)-based water depth and classification of the characteristics of rock, gravel, sand, silt, and clay content on the surface is required. It usually consists of factors related to the growth of shellfish (sea temperature, salinity, hydrodynamics, chlorophyll-a, etc.) and factors related to the environment surrounding the shellfish (bottom dissolved oxygen, total organic carbon, sediment acid volatile sulfide, benthic diversity, etc.). For example, the suitability score was ranked on a scale from 1.0 points (least suitable) to 8.0 points (most suitable). However, the definition of the score grade must be a decision between artisanal fishing and marine researchers. This GIS-based identify suitable site selection technique, which includes water depth and sedimentary facies information, can be used as the fan shell production management system by supporting spatial variability decision-making in near real-time comparison of satellite image data.