A procedure for estimating and monitoring red soil spread on coral reefs of Okinawa using multitemporal Landsat TM data

Soil deposition over coral reefs in Okinawa Island, japan is a major environmental problem as the accumulation of soil sediments could damage the reefs. Multitemporal Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) data was used to estimate the aerial distribution of deposits since 1985. Spectral response patterns of TM bands were investigated and response patterns of deposited red soil and other coverages were established using reference samples. Procedure to establish these patterns, and estimation of aerial sedimentation of soil in time scale is presented.<>