Investigation of land cover changes of nuclear power plant areas

The aim of this thesis is to investigate the land cover changes in the vicinity of nuclear power plants (NPPs) using remote sensing techniques. Specifically, the study focuses on the Chernobyl and Kalinin Nuclear Power Plants, employing Landsat data to analyze and monitor land cover variations over time. Additionally, the thesis examines the issue of thermal discharge and its potential impact on the surrounding environment. The research methodology involves the collection and preprocessing of multi-temporal Landsat imagery, spanning several decades, to generate a comprehensive land cover classification. Various spectral indices, such as Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI), SAVI (Soil- Adjusted Vegetation Index), ARVI (Atmospherically Resistant Vegetation Index), EVI (Enhanced Vegetation Index), VARI (Visible Atmospherically Resistant Index), NDII (Normalized Difference Infrared Index) and MSI (Moisture Stress Index) will be calculated to assess vegetation dynamics and water bodies in the study areas. The thesis will utilize change detection algorithms to identify and quantify land cover changes within the NPP regions. This analysis will provide insights into the long-term impacts of nuclear power plant operations on the surrounding ecosystems. Furthermore, the study will investigate the thermal discharge issue associated with NPPs, particularly focusing on the thermal signature of cooling water release into adjacent water bodies. The findings of this research will contribute to a better understanding of the land cover dynamics and thermal discharge patterns in the vicinity of nuclear power plants. The results can be utilized by environmental managers and policymakers to monitor and mitigate the environmental impact of NPP operations, particularly in terms of land cover changes and thermal discharge effects. Moreover, the study will demonstrate the effectiveness of remote sensing as a valuable tool for ongoing monitoring and assessment of nuclear power plant facilities.