Using MODIS data for mapping of water types within river plumes in the Great Barrier Reef, Australia: Towards the production of river plume risk maps for reef and seagrass ecosystems

• We use MODIS data to map water types within flood plumes in the Great Barrier Reef.
• We applied a supervised classification procedure to MODIS Level 2 satellite images.
• Maps of frequency of plume water type occurrence were produced.
• Potential of remote sensing data to create river plume risk maps was discussed.
• Method described provides relevant information for river plume risk management.

River plumes are the major transport mechanism for nutrients, sediments and other land-based pollutants into the Great Barrier Reef (GBR, Australia) and are a major threat to coastal and marine ecosystems such as coral reefs and seagrass beds. Understanding the spatial extent, frequency of occurrence, loads and ecological impacts of land-based pollutants discharged through river plumes is essential to drive catchment management actions. In this study, a framework to produce river plume risk maps for seagrass and coral ecosystems, using supervised classification of MODIS Level 2 (L2) satellite products, is presented. Based on relevant L2 thresholds, river plumes are classified into Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary water types, which represent distinct water quality (WQ) parameters concentrations and combinations. Annual water type maps are produced over three wet seasons (2010–2013) as a case of study. These maps provide a synoptic basis to assess the likelihood and magnitude of the risk of reduced coastal WQ associated with the river discharge (river plume risk) and in combination with sound knowledge of the regional ecosystems can serve as the basis to assess potential ecological impacts for coastal and marine GBR ecosystems. The methods described herein provide relevant and easily reproducible large-scale information for river plume risk assessment and management.