Satellite-derived bathymetry (SDB): an approach to bathymetric cartography with multispectral images in shallow waters of Bahía Solano, Colombia

Abstract

Ocean depth measurement plays a fundamental role to plan and manage marine resources and safe boat navigation. Satellite-Derived Bathymetry (SDB) is presented as a complementary technique to determine coastal water depth through remote sensing tools and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The goal of this study was to determine the applicability of the SDB method in shallow waters in the Punta Luna sector in Bahía Solano, northern Colombian Pacific coast, using Landsat 8 satellite images from January 2017 and in situ bathymetric survey data from November 2016. The main result obtained in this study was a depth estimate of up to ± 7 m with R2 = 0.80, as well as an RMSE and an MAE equivalent to 1.49 and 2.22 m, respectively. Depth estimates obtained using SDB meet 51.17% of the Total Vertical Uncertainty (TVU) for the Special Order category, regarding the Standards for Hydrographic Surveys from the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO). Results obtained will serve as a reference to calculate depth using multispectral images and a benchmark for hydrographic officials and academics interested in coastal and marine research in the region.