Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 1

The accurate measurement of suspended particulate matter (SPM) concentrations in coastal waters is of crucial importance for ecosystem studies, sediment transport monitoring, and assessment of anthropYgenic impacts in the coastal ocean. High concentrations of SPM have a negative influence on production of the shellfish farms. At present, SPM field measurements remain time-consuming and expensive, and they do not accurately define the temporal and spatial dynamics of a river, an estuarine or a coastal system. The present project aims to develop a remote sensing measurement tool to monitor environmental factors, such as SPM and chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentrations in order to identify with accurate precision proper sites for oyster farming in Nova Scotia. The study will therefore consider space time variability in coastal waters, such as tide conditions and periods of the year, through a thorough analysis of previously registered data sets. Method development will allow to assess SPM and Chl-a concentrations through high spatial resolution (20 m) satellite imagery derived from the MSI-Sentinel-2 sensor with a temporal resolution of 5 days. The Chlorophyll-Consumption Rates (CCR) will then be calculated from satellite-derived Chl-a and oysters' clearance rates (OCR) estimations which will thus lead to selection of the best site. The proposed method allowing monitoring of existing farms. It also has the potential to reduce the risk of choosing unproductive sites and identifying new sites promoting eco-responsible and to facilitate the expansion of not only the oyster farming industry, but the sea-farming industry.*