Satellite monitoring of the Caspian sea, Kara-Bogaz-Gol Bay, Sarykamysh and Altyn Asyr Lakes, and Amu Darya River

Abstract

Satellite monitoring of water resources and land is of great importance for Turkmenistan located in the arid zone especially now when significant changes in the regional climate are observed in Central Asia. Modern capabilities of satellite remote sensing technologies in environmental monitoring and examples of use of satellite data and imagery for the analysis of morphometric characteristics, sea/lake level, sea/lake surface temperature, sea/lake wind and waves, oil pollution of the main water bodies in Turkmenistan are shown. Special attention is paid to the construction and water filling of Altyn Asyr Lake water network. Examples of the processed satellite imagery for Sarykamysh Lake and Amu Darya River are given.