US Army Corps of Engineers Collects Hyperspectral Airborne Remote Sensing Data with Earth Search PROBE-1 Instrument
KALISPELL, Mont.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 20, 2002--Earth Search
Sciences, Inc. (OTCBB:EDIS) (ESSI) announced that it has contracted
with Earth Data International of Gaithersburg, MD to collect
hyperspectral remote sensing data for the US Army Corps of Engineers
over the shoreline of Saginaw Bay in Lake Huron, Michigan.
The $208,000 contract will see hyperspectral imagery used to
determine the condition of the waterway's wetlands. The ability to
collect and analyze very narrow wavelength bands of light allow the
PROBE-1 instrument to detect different water and aquatic vegetation
types, and to monitor such issues of concern as point source
pollution, and turbidity. Aquatic ecosystems in the U.S. and worldwide
may be impaired by the over-enrichment of waters by nutrients, a
process called eutrophication. Important points concerning
eutrophication include:
- Leading cause of water quality degradation
- Sources: domestic sewage, agriculture runoff, and
agro-industrial effluents
- Nitrogen and phosphorus are the primary nutrients
- Affects 40% of rivers, 51% of lakes and 57 % of estuaries
Eutrophication often results in algae formation, which can kill
fish and endanger human health by impacting waters used for
recreational and municipal water supply purposes. Monitoring by
hyperspectral technology allows the identification of algae blooms by
measuring concentrations of chlorophyll. It also allows the detection
of suspended minerals, and the measurement of turbidity factors.
Hyperspectral data can be used to detect stressed vegetation,
certain chemical toxins, changes in material composition, and a
variety of other indicators that may reveal where environmental or
Homeland Security problems may be occurring. This kind of intelligence
is valuable when designing corrective strategies.
This news release includes forward-looking statements that involve
a number of risks and uncertainties. The information reflects numerous
assumptions as to industry performance, general business and economic
conditions, regulatory and legal requirements, taxes and other
matters, many of which are beyond the control of the company.
Similarly, this information assumes certain future business decisions
that are subject to change. There can be no assurance that the results
predicted here will be realized. Actual results may vary from those
represented and those variations may be material.
--30--KS/se*
CONTACT: Earth Search Sciences
Ken Danchuk, 406/751-5200
Stephanie Stern, 212/888-0044
earthsrch@aol.com
www.earthsearch.com.
KEYWORD: MONTANA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ENVIRONMENT HARDWARE
SOURCE: Earth Search Sciences |
