Characterizing Surface Temperature and Clarity of Kuwait's Seawaters Using Remotely Sensed Measurements and GIS Analyses

Abstract

Kuwait sea surface temperature (SST) and water clarity are important water characteristics that influence the entire Kuwait coastal ecosystem. The aim of this project was to study the spatial and temporal distributions of Kuwait SST using MODIS images (January 2003 - July 2007), and Kuwait Secchi Disk Depth (SDD), a water clarity measure, using SeaWiFS and MODIS data (November 1998 - October 2004 and January 2003 - June 2007, respectively). MODIS SST images showed a significant relationship with in situ SST data (r2= 0.98). Also, the semi-analytical diffuse light attenuation coefficient at 490 nm, Kd(490), and 488 nm, Kd(488), of SeaWiFS and MODIS, respectively, showed a significant relationship with in situ SDD (r2= 0.67 and r2= 0.68, respectively). The SeaWiFS and MODIS data provided a comprehensive view of the studied seawater characteristics that improved their overall estimation within Kuwait's waters.