Analysis of the Spatio-Temporal Variation of the Thermal Pattern of River Ganges in Proximity to Varanasi, India

The temperature of a river is fundamental aspect its water quality and has bearing on ecosystem to greater extent. Therefore, in systematic planning for optimal stream monitoring programs involving the determination location at stations, understanding this crucial thermal parameter much desired. This would help give an integrated scenario regarding physical, chemical, biological processes occurring ecosystem. Water parameters such as dissolved oxygen, pH, salinity get affected due change patterns. In study, Landsat-8 TIR sensor was used study spatial temporal variations temperature. Thermal bands 23 cloud-free images from June 2013 November 2020 were processed prepare maps stretch Ganges Varanasi, India. work been validated by in-situ measurement with portable having high accuracy (± 0.1 °C). A good correlation (R2 = 0.927 RMSE 0.956) observed between sensor's estimated results exemplify that surface confluence points relatively higher incoming effluents than mid-river ‘confluence point 3’ least relative variation. variation more prominent month February comparison November. Owing time series data availability worldwide coverage satellite, present provides promising strategy studying patterns other rivers.