Monitoring spatiotemporal changes of urban surface water based on satellite imagery and Google Earth Engine platform in Dhaka City from 1990 to 2021

Abstract

Abstract Background This study focuses on Dhaka City and its impact on urban surface water. Cities, ecosystems, and agriculture need surface water. It is crucial for water resource planning and environmental preservation. The primary aim is to study how urbanization has affected surface water in Dhaka City over 30 years using satellite imagery. Methods The study analyzed three decades of urban surface water shifts using Landsat 5 TM and Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS satellite imagery and Google Earth Engine (GEE) with JavaScript code for water ratio index detection. To investigate water level changes, field observation surveys and secondary data analysis were conducted. This integrated methodology simplified surface water data extraction and analysis, making remote sensing easier and allowing cloud-based satellite data processing. Results The study demonstrates that the amount of surface water in cities is going down, from 36.23 km2 in 1990 to 5.83 km2 in 2021, which is an enormous decrease. This means that about 20 square kilometers, or 45 percent of the water's surface, have been lost in the last 30 years. The main reasons for the drop are unplanned expansion of cities, accelerated real estate development, and more trade and economic activities in the study area. Conclusions The GEE algorithms provide useful insights into surface water's maximum and minimum extent, enabling appropriate planning and management. These findings aid Dhaka City's water resource management and environmental protection.