Investigation of Water Quality in Izmir Bay With Remote Sensing Techniques Using NDCI on Google Earth Engine Platform

Abstract

In this study, the effects of algal blooms occurring in Izmir Bay in the summer of 2024 on marine ecosystems were investigated using remote sensing techniques on Google Earth Engine platform. The normalized difference chlorophyll index (NDCI) was calculated from January to the end of September and the chlorophyll-a density was analyzed. Additionally, an NDCI time series analysis was conducted between September 2018 and 2024 at the designated points. The values, which fluctuated narrowly until 2022, showed a sharp increase in 2024. NDCI, which vary between -0.4 and 0.2 in January 2024 and increase up to 0.8 toward the summer months, indicate that algal blooms are occurring, concentrated in critical areas such as Kar & scedil;& imath;yaka, Bayrakl & imath;, and Alsancak Port. These findings revealed a connection between the sudden fish deaths in the bay during the summer of 2024 and algal blooms, as well as the deterioration of water quality.