UNIVERSITY OF BUCHAREST
FACULTY OF PHYSICS

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2026-06-11 23:58
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Conference: Bucharest University Faculty of Physics 2026 Meeting


Section: Atmosphere and Earth Science; Environment Protection


Title:
The assessment of surface variations in Lake Amara based on spectral indices derived from multispectral satellite images


Authors:
Teodor Cojocaru (1), Ana-Maria Hreniuc Moroșan (2)


Affiliation:
1)Faculty of Geology and Geophysics, University of Bucharest

2)Cornel & Cornel Topoexim SRL, 31 Vidra Street, Sector 6, Bucharest, Romania


E-mail
teodorcojocaru3@gmail.com


Keywords:
MNDWI, loess, spectral indices, erosion


Abstract:
This paper analyses the water surface changes in Lake Amara through the usage of satellite imagery and spectral indices. Located in the Romanian Plain, approximately 7 km from Ialomița River, Lake Amara represents a fluvial liman formed within the Moesian Platform, distinguishable through its hydrological system controlled by erosion and infiltration processes.The lake expands on loess deposits, overlying the Middle Pleistocene Marly Complex, which are susceptible to degradation processes. Bank erosion is driven by abrasion, dissolution and gravitational landslides which advance shoreline retreat (Ielenicz et al., 2004). Sentinel-2 multispectral imagery was utilized for the month of August between 2015-2025, then processed in the SNAP program (Sentinel Application Platform), by using the MNDWI (Modified Normalized Difference Water Index) index, with a spatial resolution of 10 m.The separation of water from non-aquatic surfaces was realized through binary classification. The lake’s surface area was established by adding all the pixels classified as water, where each pixel (10 m) is equivalent to a 0,01 ha surface, allowing for a detailed analysis of variation over the studied period.Results highlight that the surface area of Lake Amara displays minor variations in the 2015-2025 interval. The values remain relatively constant, with slight year to year fluctuations, without following a clear upward or downward trend. Instead, they reflect a fragile balance between water input and losses through evaporation and infiltration.


References:

Ielenicz, M., Comanescu, L., Nedelea, A., 2004. Loess-related landforms in central and northern Dobrogea – Romania. Revista de geomorfologie nr. 6, p. 71-76.