TSS in West Kalimantan Based on Remote Sensing Data: A Preliminary Study for Siting Nuclear Power Plant

Abstract

Monitoring levels of total suspended solids (TSS) is a necessity for preliminary studies related to development planning in the coastal region, through direct measurement or modeling. For Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) siting, TSS becomes an aquatic parameter, affects resources management and utilization. This study aims to analyze TSS in West Kalimantan based on remote sensing data. TSS value was estimated which refers to two algorithms, namely 1) Budiman (2004); 2) Parwati and Purwanto (2017). Data sources came from MODIS Aqua satellite imagery in 2005 and 2020. This study shows that TSS has increased, both in its value and spatial distribution. The average value of TSS in 2005 was 6.25 mg/l and 3.54 mg/l, whereas five years later it was 8.80 mg/l and 4.94 mg/l, respectively. In 2005, high TSS levels had common distribution in surrounding beaches and estuaries. However, in 2020, TSS concentrations were observed to spread more and towards the sea such as in Mempawah, Kubu Raya, Kayong Utara, and southeast of Ketapang. A detail TSS analysis is needed for tentative impact assessments related to siting of NPP in West Kalimantan.