Keeping a closer eye on our waters

German and Australian scientists have launched state-of-the-art water quality monitoring tools that will enable anyone in the world to zoom in on what is stirring up under the surface of Australian waters.

Aquatic remote sensing company EOMAP teamed up with Western Australian statutory authority Landgate to deliver these unique products. "The fusion of EOMAP's science and experience together with Landgate's infrastructure and know-how means that we now can deliver the best possible water quality information from satellite imagery, in near real time, for all Australian waters," comments Dr Thomas Heege, CEO of EOMAP.

The products measure visibility, turbidity and chlorophyll concentrations in the water column. The result is high quality digital maps that are continuously updated as these parameters vary across the oceans and coastal waters.

The tools also have the amazing ability to go back in time as far as 2001 (the accompanying photos are from June, 2014), meaning that it is possible to compare the current water-column environment with baseline measurements from the past. 

"As an example, this becomes important when using these tools to monitor dredging and dumping plumes," explains Dr Magnus Wettle, EOMAP Australasian manager.

Other examples of product application include identifying algal blooms, tracking sediment plumes from rivers, and, for divers, seeing if the water is clear both for diving as well as the return trip home.

Project partner Dr Matthew Adams from Landgate says: "EOMAP’s rigorous modelling provides more accurate and better estimates of visibility, turbidity, chlorophyll and water depth than standard processing algorithms."

In addition to this, EOMAP has also developed a web app for public use: "Our free 'eoApp Australia' is an online data visualiser which enables anyone with a web browser to view these water quality parameters in two important areas: Abbot Point and the neighbouring Great Barrier Reef, as well as Barrow Island and the nearby Ningaloo reef [in the West]," explains Karin Schenk, head of EOMAP's Water Quality Group.

"Anyone can access the eoApp and look at the data online. So, for example at Abbot Point, you can zoom in, extract data point values, and monitor basic parameters over time. We also offer the option of professional, customised versions of the eoApp to scientists and managers in conjunction with a subscription to these data product feeds.”