Articles & Case Studies
Bluesky’s 3D aerial maps help model river pollution
Posted: Thursday 10th June 2010
Computer generated 3D visualisations are being used to help study river pollution of the River Doe Lea. The research project, carried out by the National Trust with partner institutions the
University of Sheffield, Environment Agency, Natural England and other consultancies aims to develop a multi-targeted catchment management strategy. Airborne remote sensing data, supplied by Bluesky, was used as part of a PhD study carried out within the project. The digital aerial photography, Colour Infrared imagery (CIR) and photogrammetrically derived digital height models were used to model the flow of agricultural pollutants and assess the diffusive effect on the landscape.
Results from the project ‘Modelling Catchment Landscapes Potential to
Mitigate Diffuse Pollution from Agriculture’ were recently presented at an
international conference on Catchment Science organised and attended by members
of CatSci a multidisciplinary research programme in catchment science
funded by the European Commission under the Marie Curie Early Stage Training
Fellowship scheme.
Nataliya Tkachenko, author of the research project commented, “The primary
aim of the study was to develop an interactive landscape model, which
would give the possibility to evaluate mitigation options in scenario context
and open opportunities for participatory GIS applied to agriculture. This
model is novel in the aspect of geotargeting of mitigation options within the
real landscape, where solutions can be downscaled to the finer elements.
Evaluation of landscape processes in the context environment is highly
complicated process, which requires substantial amount of data input on various
temporal and spatial scales. Both 3D visualisation, CIR derived indicators
and temporal data are powerful source of input information.”
She continued, “Being able to represent and visualise the countryside in
all aspects was essential for the accurate modelling of the mitigating
effects of the landscape on the agricultural pollutants studied. The Bluesky
data was available off the shelf and in a format and specification suitable
for use in our geographical information system (GIS) and image analysis
software.”
The Bluesky data supplied to the University of Sheffield for this study is
part of the GeoPerspectives product range. GeoPerspectives offers
nationwide coverage of high resolution aerial photography and Colour Infrared
imagery as well as highly accurate, photogrammetrically derived Digital Terrain
Models (the earth’s surface excluding buildings and vegetation) and Digital
Surface Models (the earth’s surface including buildings and vegetation).
Bluesky is also able to provide ultra detailed LiDAR (Light Detection and
Ranging) data and services covering the majority of England and Wales
including all major urban centres, coastal areas and flood plains.
Website: www.bluesky-world.com
