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Environment
Storm Water Runoff
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulates non-point water pollution in urban areas with populations greater than 80,000. Cities are required to model and estimate potential pollutant runoff--a task well-suited to high spatial resolution, multispectral satellite imagery.

60-centimeter pan-sharpened multispectral imagery can be used to measure impervious surfaces, such as roofs, streets, and parking lots. Pervious surfaces, such as tree- and grass-covered areas can also be measured. Applying runoff coefficients to the area of each surface type can provide the best available estimates for non-point source water pollution. By adding parcel boundaries, it is possible to provide estimates of runoff per parcel in order to assess storm sewer fees.
Original near-infrared image Color-classified by surface type Parcel boundaries
2.4-meter multispectral imagery, sharpened with 60-centimeter panchromatic imagery, will clearly illustrate different surface types.
Hazardous Chemical Spills
Surface contamination and effects on the surrounding environment can be detected and monitored with high spatial resolution satellite imagery. Routine monitoring of facilities worldwide that handle or store hazardous chemicals and/or waste will be possible. Frequent satellite revisits will allow for early detection of contamination events, such as holding tank failures. The satellite imagery can then be used to assess damage and monitor cleanup and recovery.
2.4-meter multispectral imagery, sharpened with 60-centimeter panchromatic, will be capable of showing the effect of contamination due to holding tank failure.
Oil Spills
The regulates legal and illegal discharges from industrial and municipal facilities into waterways. The surface dimensions of a discharge plume, as well as the source, can be identified and measured if it contains suspended material, such as hydrocarbons, sediments, bubbles, or dye. The effectiveness of containment methods can also be assessed using satellite imagery.
2.4-meter multispectral imagery, sharpened with 60-centimeter panchromatic, will be able to be used to identify and measure the surface dimensions of an oil spill.
Air Pollution
Accidental airborne releases of toxic chemicals can be detected and monitored with satellite imagery. For example, if the plume from an oil tank fire is visible to the naked eye, satellite imagery can measure the extent and dissipation of the airborne release, as well as pinpoint the source and identify potential areas of impact downwind.
2.4-meter multispectral imagery, sharpened with 60-centimeter panchromatic, will be capable of detecting and monitoring various types of airborne pollutants.
Floodplain Mapping
Flood boundaries can be measured to within a few meters accuracy in areas without tree cover using submeter multispectral fused imagery. Individual buildings and parcel boundaries can also be identified in order to assess flood vulnerability.
2.4-meter multispectral imagery, sharpened with 60-centimeter panchromatic, will clearly show flooding outside normal flood line boundaries.
Coastal Mapping & Bathymetry
Accurately locating, identifying, and monitoring coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves, salt marshes, chlorophyll, sedimentation, and development activities is greatly facilitated through the use of satellite imagery. Coastal areas can be evaluated for environmental sensitivity and suitability for developing ports, tourist facilities, aquaculture, and fisheries.

2.4-meter multispectral imagery can be used for small-scale mapping of wetlands, beaches, submerged vegetation, urbanization, storm damage, and general coastal morphology. Combined with 60-centimeter panchromatic imagery, the blue-green band shows water penetration capability. In addition 60-centimeter imagery shows finer detail, such as sandbars, channels, wave patterns and beach structures.
2.4-meter multispectral imagery, sharpened with 60-centimeter panchromatic, will be capable of showing the effect of contamination due to holding tank failure.