Abstract:
The study was conducted to determine the phytoplankton density in Merang and Kuala
Terengganu coastal areas using satellite imagery (MODIS data). From the ground
sampling analysis, phytoplankton density was ranged between 7,865.7 no. /L to 58,015
no. /L. In this study, phytoplankton density was higher in Kuala Terengganu coastal area
(279,774.81 no.IL) compared to Merang coastal area (I 18,744.21 no.IL). Then, Terra
satellite (MODIS) was used to detect the phytoplankton density to compare with the insitu
data to define that MODIS data could use or not to detect phytoplankton density in
this study area. The correlation between in-situ data of phytoplankton and water-leaving
radiance derived using band 8 (405-420 nm) gives the best result with R2= 0.4994. Then,
this correlation was used to develop a map of phytoplankton density in study area.
Futhermore, from this map, regression analysis by using in-situ data of phytoplankton
and water-leaving-radiance was carried out the model phytoplankton density data from
satellite imagery. Correlation between satellite data and in-situ data of phytoplankton
density shown that R2 = 0.9796 which has a highest value. Highest value of R2 means
that phytoplankton density was highest in that area. Result showed that MODIS is
suitable for use to detect the phytoplankton density in this study area
