Tags: Earth Observation, Hurricane, Satellite Imagery
Publication: OurAmazingPlanet.com
Publication Date: 11/16/2012

Hurricane Sandy drew contaminated sewage water not only to the waterstreams but also all over the streets of New York and New Jersey. Image credit: ccho

Satellite images played a big role for Hurricane Sandy’s forecasts and monitoring. Now, weeks after the storm’s devastation, satellite imagery is playing an important role in measuring and understanding the pollution effects of the storm.

Researchers from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Association Coastal Ocean Observing System have been using satellite imagery to trace the path of sewage and other contaminants drawn from the mainland toward the Atlantic Ocean, identifying the long-term effects of the storm in our waterways. However, the team couldn’t get key information from images after the storm because it was still to cloudy to spot plumes of fresh water carrying pollutants.

Damage from Hurricane Sandy caused some wastewater treatment plants in New Jersey to stop working. Scientists predict that millions of gallons of sewage are now contaminating the state’s water streams. However, the images suggest that the total damage could be similar to that of a typical rainstorm.

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