The ongoing advancement of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and the evolution of small-scale cameras have bridged the gap between traditional ground-based surveys and orbital sensors. However, these systems present challenges, including limited coverage area, image stabilization constraints, and complex image processing. In water quality monitoring, these difficulties are further compounded by sun glint effects, which hinder the construction of accurate orthomosaics in homogeneous water surfaces and affect radiometric accuracy. This study focuses on evaluating these challenges by comparing two distinct airborne imaging platforms with different spectral resolutions, emphasizing Total Suspended Solids (TSS) monitoring. Hyperspectral airborne surveys were undertaken utilizing a pushbroom system comprising 276 bands, whereas multispectral airborne surveys were conducted employing a global shutter frame with 4 bands. Fifteen aerial survey campaigns were carried out over water bodies from two biomes in Brazil (Amazon and Savanna), at varying concentrations of TSS (0.6–130.7 mg L−1, N: 53). Empirical models using near-infrared channels were applied to accurately monitor TSS in all areas (Hyperspectral camera—RMSE = 3.6 mg L−1, Multispectral camera—RMSE = 9.8 mg L−1). Furthermore, a key contribution of this research is the development and application of Sun Glint mitigation techniques, which significantly improve the reliability of airborne reflectance measurements. By addressing these radiometric challenges, this study provides critical insights into the optimal UAV platform for TSS monitoring in inland waters, enhancing the accuracy and applicability of airborne remote sensing in aquatic environments.


    Access

    Download


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Inland Water Quality Monitoring Using Airborne Small Cameras: Enhancing Suspended Sediment Retrieval and Mitigating Sun Glint Effects




    Publication date :

    2025




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    Unknown




    An Evaluation of Sun-Glint Correction Methods for UAV-Derived Secchi Depth Estimations in Inland Water Bodies

    Edvinas Tiškus / Martynas Bučas / Diana Vaičiūtė et al. | DOAJ | 2023

    Free access

    Target manoeuvre detection using radar glint

    Hughes, E.J. / Leyland, M. | IET Digital Library Archive | 1998


    Glint at millimeter wavelengths

    Weathers, G.D. / Emmons, G. / Graf, E.R. | Tema Archive | 1978


    Target Tracking With Glint Noise

    Wu, W.-R. | Online Contents | 1993


    Canopy Glint Screening Investigation

    S. J. Blewitt / D. R. Gundling | NTIS | 1978