Use of Sentinel-2 data for compensatory monitoring of surface waters of Ukraine under martial law
Abstract
Purpose. To substantiate the use of Sentinel-2 data as a compensatory component of surface water environmental monitoring in Ukraine under martial law.
Methods. The study has a conceptual and analytical design and combines structural-functional analysis of the traditional surface water monitoring system, comparative assessment of contact-based and satellite-based observation methods, analysis of the EU Water Framework Directive, technical interpretation of Sentinel-2 MSI capabilities and a demonstration analysis of satellite scenes of the Kakhovka Reservoir area.
Results. Sentinel-2 L2A scenes acquired before and after the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam were used to illustrate the compensatory potential of Earth observation, including True color visualizations and NDWI mapping for the identification of residual water bodies and transformed channel elements. Three main dimensions of the wartime environmental data gap were identified: spatial, temporal and analytical. Sentinel-2 cannot replace laboratory water quality monitoring, but it can support regular spatial-temporal screening of large water bodies, operational detection of water surface changes, mapping of flooding or drying areas, preliminary indication of turbidity-related anomalies and prioritization of sites for field validation. The Kakhovka Reservoir case demonstrates that satellite scenes make it possible to document large-scale transformation of a water body after the loss of safe ground access, including reservoir drawdown, exposure of bottom sediments and formation of residual water bodies.
Conclusions. The most scientifically justified model for wartime and post-war conditions is an integrated monitoring system in which Sentinel-2 acts as a compensatory spatial-temporal observation contour, spectral index analysis provides primary change detection, machine learning may support automated classification of scenes after proper validation, and laboratory monitoring remains the basis for metrologically confirmed water quality assessment.
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