Satellite hyperspectral imaging technology as a potential rapid pollution assessment tool for urban landfill sites: case study of Ghazipur and Okhla landfill sites in Delhi, India.

Abstract

Hyperspectral imaging technology has been used for biochemical analysis of Earth's surface exploiting the spectral reflectance signatures of various materials. The new-generation Italian PRISMA (PRecursore IperSpettrale dellaMissione Applicativa) hyperspectral satellite launched by the Italian space agency (ASI) provides a unique opportunity to map various materials through spectral signature analysis for recourse management and sustainable development. In this study PRISMA hyperspectral satellite imagery-based multiple spectral indices were generated for rapid pollution assessment at Ghazipur and Okhla landfill sites in Delhi, India. It was found that the combined risk score for Okhla landfill site was higher than the Ghazipur landfill site. Various manmade materials identified, exploiting the hyperspectral imagery and spectral signature libraries, indicated presence of highly saline water, plastic (black, ABS, pipe, netting, etc.), asphalt tar, black tar paper, kerogen BK-Cornell, black paint and graphite, chalcocite minerals, etc. in large quantities in both the landfill sites. The methodology provides a rapid pollution assessment tool for municipal landfill sites.