Satellite imagery analysis in conjunction with genetic algorithm for the identification of an optimal dump site

Purnima Pandey, Nilanchal Patel, Suju M. George and P. Khanna
NEERI, Nehru Marg, Nagpur India 440 020

The present paper outlines the methodology for siting a dumping site of non-toxic landfills, using satellite imageries in conjunction with genetic algorithm. Satellite imageries provides a tool to obtain land use information around a project site while the genetic algorithm provides a search technique to decide and evaluate a site in terms of various factors such as size of the site area, site characteristics, transportation accessibility, distance, transportation cost etc.

It is imperative to carry out accurate assessment of the baseline status of various environmental parameters pertaining to both land and sea and carefully examine the environmental impacts on them. Land use and land cover forms the base of any environmental impact assessment (EIA) study under the land environment. Satellite remote sensing data has proved to be highly reliable for extracting the land use and land cover of any region in a very time and cost effective manner due to their inherent capability of providing very high spectral and radiometric integrity and consistency. Due to these capabilities, satellite remote sensing also facilitates rapid but accurate change detection studies, which also forms an integral component of environmental impact assessment., and to site a location

Case Study
Dump site of dredged material for the proposed Sethusamudram Ship Canal Project The Sthusamudram ship Canal Project now under the considerationnn of the Ministry of Surface Transport, Government of India, envisages construction of a ship canal of varying lengths to suit different drafts (30', 31' & 35') through dredging/excavation. The proposed canal originates from the Tuticorin, new harbour in the Gulf of Mannar, extends north-east in a straight line upto Mansfield patch south of Pamban island, then cuts through the island east of the Kodandaramasamy temple and thereafter turning north-east, proceeds to the International Medical Line at the Bay of Bengal channel.

The dredged material is proposed to be disposed on land, and no dumping in the sea is envisaged.

The objectives of the study has been the following:

1. Delineation of various land use and land cover classes in the study region and estimation of their areal coverages through the analysis and digital classification of satellite data
2. Selection of feasible sites after evaluation using genetic algorithm
3. Selection of dumping sites for dredged materials recovered from land and sea

Satellite data

IRS 1C LISS-III cloud free satellite data of path 102 and Row 67 dated 19.05.98 has been used. The data was chosen with reference to the climate of the area and also quality checked for cloud and haze cover, and striping, line drop out etc. High performance HP APOLLO 9000/730 PA-RISC computer systems hooked on the network as X-terminals was the computer hardware used.

The classification of images for the entire study regions, for different lnd use and land cover classes have been carried out. Following criteria were used by the gentle algorithm to select the feasible sites for dumping of the dredged materials.

1. Areas which are close to the proposed ship navigational route
2. Areas which are not presently in use for any significant activity (commercial or other)
3. Shallow and deep areas which otherwise can be reclaimed for productive utility
4. Barren sandy areas which do not contain any vegetation cover and are also classified as unproductive
5. Areas which are devoid of vegetation and areas which are not in close proximity to the dense vegetation
6. Areas which are not in proximity to the water bodies such as river, pond, back water etc. to ensure prevention of erosion and situation of dumped materials into them so that their natural pristine status is conserved
7. Areas which are easily accessible and trafficable.