INVERSION MODEL TO DERIVE SHALLOW WATER DEPTH OVER PIROTAN REEF, GULF OF KACHCHH REGION, INDIA

Abstract

Remote sensing technology has ability to monitor bio-optical properties of ocean water surrounding the reef. Coral reefs are usually found in relatively shallow and clear waters surrounding the continents and island. The objective of this study to derive shallow water depth in coral reef environment over Pirotan reef, Gulf of Kachchh region using hyperspectral imagery. Hyperspectral sensor is one of the best options to study the coral reef environment. A semianalyticalmethodutilizeshyperspectral remote sensing data to retrieve water depth. Semi-analytical method are the most recent developing methods in shallow water remote sensing. The image of derived water depth has found ranging from 0.1 to 5.0 m. The spatial variation of model water depth has been found different over the reef because of their uneven morphological structure. The water model output of water depth is compared closely with data acquired during field survey over the reef and the root mean square (rms) error was calculated. The correlation coefficient values has been observed around 0.86.