Free access to moderate resolution remote sensing data enable worldwide users for their studies of many key geophysical parameters of the Earth’s system, solving various tasks on regular monitoring of natural phenomena, including tasks on ecological space monitoring. This requires multilevel processing of satellite data. The processing results are given for the Aral Sea. This endorheic salt lake is located in Central Asia on the border of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Aral was chosen as an example not by chance as because before shallowing, it was the fourth-largest lake in the world. During the process of drying, the lake was divided into three parts. Currently, the eastern part of the lake has completely disappeared. To the Aral Sea is happening a real ecological disaster. A long-term series of satellite data are needed to monitor the dynamics of changes.
The active operation of remote sensing satellites usually exceeds their estimated lifetime. For example, spacecrafts “Terra” and “Aqua”, launched in 1999 and 2002, respectively, have an estimated lifetime of sensor MODIS as 6 years, but they are still used in the NASA EOS program aimed at Earth exploration. With the aging sensors has been a degradation of its optics equipment which affects the quality of the data in some channels. It limits the simple creation of a color image in TRUE colors by put the bands spectral range of visible radiation to corresponding layers RGB-composite. The article describes the technology of making quality images by digital operations with MODIS channels. It eliminates such a problem as “banding” of the image and creates new synthesized bands. The results of processing are demonstrated using annual Terra/MODIS data for the autumn period from 2000 to 2019.
Besides, taking into account that a water body has been chosen as the object of monitoring, the article presents the options of water surface detection based on spectral indices - indices calculated in mathematical operations with different spectral ranges (channels) of remote sensing data related to certain parameters. Thematic processing in Geomatica software is shown on Landsat-8 images: the sample profile of index image is demonstrated. Taking into account that the survey area exceeds the size of the standard Landsat scene, a mosaic image was made for complete coverage of the region. In 2021 a partnership between NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey was scheduled to launch the next spacecraft of Landsat mission which started in 1972. Thus, the repeat images will create conditions for studying the dynamics of changes in the objects under research. The results of the integrated use of modern methods are shown, which increases the prospecting and exploration work efficiency. The specified prospects for fresh groundwater supply are especially relevant for water-stressed regions.