Legislation and Ethical Considerations of Remote Sensing Technology for Environmental Surveillance
Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
- 1 Al-Turath University, Baghdad 10013, Iraq
- 2 Al-Mansour University College, Baghdad 10067, Iraq
- 3 Al-Mamoon University College, Baghdad 10012, Iraq
- 4 Al-Rafidain University College Baghdad 10064
- 5 Madenat Alelem University College, Baghdad 10006, Iraq
- 6 Soil Conservation and Watershed Management Research Department, Kurdistan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Sanandaj, Iran
- 7 Soil and Water Research Department, Kurdistan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Sanandaj, Iran
Abstract
Remote sensing technologies have become transformative in environmental monitoring, enabling large-scale, cost-effective, and consistent assessment of ecological systems. This study examines both technological applications and governance, focusing on operational methodologies and evolving legislative and ethical frameworks shaping remote sensing in environmental surveillance. Concentrating on urban and peri-urban areas, high-resolution multispectral satellite data (Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS) were integrated with synchronized ground-based measurements to explore interactions among vegetation cover, land surface temperature (LST), and fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅). Advanced processing included radiometric calibration, atmospheric correction (FLAASH), and supervised classification (Random Forest) to ensure data fidelity. Vegetation was quantified using NDVI, while LST was derived with the split-window technique and analysed against EPA-standard PM₂.₅ through multivariate regression. Results revealed a 35% variation in foliar coverage (32–67%), with inverse correlations between vegetation density and both LST (20.1–25.7 °C) and PM₂.₅ (10.8–17.2 µg/m³). Site I showed a 59% higher particulate load than Site H, underscoring the combined effects of urban heat island intensity and reduced green space. Beyond technical outcomes, the study highlights policy implications, including aerial data privacy, cross-border data sharing, and aligning technological capacities with environmental regulation, establishing a foundation for ethically grounded applications of remote sensing in sustainability.
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