The Potential and Usage of Satellite Images Monitoring Surface Water Mass Dynamic of Makassar Strait

Abstract

One of the most interesting to study on the Indonesian waters is the existence of global term namely Indonesian Through Flow (ITF) at Makassar Strait. ITF is water mass flow from the Pacific Ocean through the Indonesian Waters into the Indian Ocean. The water mass flow could be detected from variations of oceanographic parameters such as temperature and chlorophyll. In the current technological developments, oceanographic parameters can be detected using remote sensing technology. This study aims to monitor the dynamics of the surface water masses in the Makassar Strait using the potential and utilization of satellite images. In this research, image processing and data analysis of Terra and Aqua satellites that carry the sensor Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) spatial resolution of 1 km and 4 km were processed in the form of daily, 8-day and monthly in 2009 and 2010. Satellite image processing to generate Sea Surface Temperature (SST) data use algorithms theoretical basis document 25 [11] and the chlorophyll-a concentration use OC3M algorithm. Wind speed and direction data is used as supporting data. Based on observations of daily data for 2 years there are 2 to 3 daily data which can be processed to produce data SST and chlorophyll-a concentrations. The lack of data is due to the thick coverage of cloud throughout the year in the waters of Makassar Strait. The flow of water masses in the Makassar Strait more easily observed from the SST data compared with chlorophyll-a concentration data. Daily SST data clearly ilustrates the surface water mass flow from north to south of the Makassar Strait on the West Monsoon which detected in March 2010 and from south to north on the East Monsoon which is reflected from the SST data in June 2010. Surface water mass movement is also evident from the data of 8-day and monthly, especially on the West Monsoon. The pattern of water mass movement are consistent with the pattern of wind direction.