Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2019RI232B

Providing a new perspective on groundwater hydrometry using thermal infrared sensor equipped unmanned aerial vehicle

Institute: Rhode Island
Year Established: 2019 Start Date: 2019-06-01 End Date: 2020-05-31
Total Federal Funds: $21,601 Total Non-Federal Funds: $25,646

Principal Investigators: Soni M. Pradhanang

Project Summary: The project is focused at understanding groundwater discharges into coastal ponds (coastal lagoons) through application of thermal infrared unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). All aquifers that come in contact with the ocean have a dynamic freshwater - salt-water interface; this interface moves either towards land or into the marine waters when acted on by a number of forces. ). UAV surveys along with field measurement will allow us to evaluate sea surface temperature dynamics associated with variations in coastal groundwater discharge rates as a function of tidal and storm surges. This study will identify spatial extent of groundwater discharge in coastal ponds and will help understanding contaminant plumes.