USE OF ULTRA-HIGH RESOLUTION IKONOS SATELLITE IMAGERY TO MAP CARBONATE TIDAL FLAT SUBENVIRONMENTS, ANDROS ISLAND, BAHAMAS

Recently acquired Ikonos satellite data provide 1-meter panchromatic and 4-meter multispectral imagery that enables digital processing and filtering, resulting in detail not available through aerial photography. To test the utility of these data for mapping carbonate depositional environments, this study compares Ikonos data from Andros Island, Bahamas, with the previous work of Hardie, Shinn, and co-workers in the Three Creeks area.

On the remote sensing data, pond, levee, beach ridge, and low and high algal marsh subenvironments can be distinguished clearly. Notably, individual mangroves and other vegetation are discernable on these images. Calibrating environmental interpretations from the Ikonos images with older aerial photographs illustrates some distinct changes in character and distribution of surficial features. Utilizing remote sensing technology to analyze the evolution of these carbonate environments may provide a tool for monitoring subtle changes in carbonate environments.

These high-resolution satellite images enable cost effective, time efficient qualitative analysis of surficial features, depositional environments, and tidal flat regions that may lead to a greater understanding of their evolution.