Water Turbidity
Planetscope sensors observe in wavelength regions that allow for retrieval of the turbidity of water in both inland and coastal waters.
Water Resources
Algal Biomass
Several spectral indices have proved useful for the retrieval and mapping of chlorophyll a levels in inland waters, with this being indicative of algal biomass.
Water depth
The high temporal frequency of planetscope observations allows for regular monitoring of water levels (e.g., in reservoirs) by combining water extent and bathymetric information, allows water depth to be routinely estimated.
Pollution
Pollution is often manifested in changes in water colour or different impacts (e.g., increased algal blooms as a result of higher nutrient loads).
Point source nutrient discharges
Septic tanks and slurry pits can leak, with this causing waste discharge into soils which increases nutrients and potential plant productivity or dieback (e.g., of grasses).
Landslides
These can be caused by increased rainfall but these are often small and difficult to detect from even high resolution sensors. Erosion from areas affected lead to changes in water quality, turbidity and colour. The impacts can extend downstream.