| This study investigated the relationship between the spectral reflectance patterns of wetland plant species (Typha latifolia (Cattail), Borrichia frutescens (Sea Oxeye)) and water quality parameters (salinity, total phosphorus, total ammonia and nitrogen) in a mesohaline constructed wetland that treated effluent from the Loma Alta Shrimp Aquaculture Facility, located 15 miles east of Raymondville, Texas. A field spectroradiometer [ASD Field Spec, UV/VNIR-Open Sky (300--1100nm)] was used to measure plant reflectance at locations corresponding to water quality sampling stations that were part of a water quality monitoring project. Water quality parameters were determined by USEPA accepted methodsThe spectral reflectance of the plant species and the quality of water was measured along the direction of flow in the wetland at 4 points. Spectral reflectance at specific wavelengths [blue (450nm), green (550nm), red (700nm) and near infrared (7001100nm)] and indices derived from these wavelengths [Blue normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), Green NDVI and Red NDVI] were related to water quality parameters for each species. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)... |
