A Study on the Environmental Safety of the Urban Environment from Remote Monitoring Data

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the environmental safety factors of the urban environment using remote sensing data on the example of the cities of Voronezh, Lipetsk and Belgorod. Materials and methods. On the example of the cities of Central Russia ˗ Voronezh, Lipetsk and Belgorod, the authors carried out the spatial study of environmental safety factors of the urban environment on the materials of remote sensing. The data sources were multi-channel satellite images from Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2 over the period from 2015 to 2021. Landsat-7 satellite images of the study areas from 1999 to 2001 were used to investigate the dynamic characteristics over a twenty-year period. On the basis of deciphering features the objects of ecological risk are identified. The anthropogenic load on inhabited landscapes and the spatial characteristics of the natural framework of urban areas and suburban areas of Voronezh, Lipetsk and Belgorod are studied. Results and discussion. To assess the level of anthropogenic load on the study areas, 4 zones were identified – with strong anthropogenic load; with medium anthropogenic load; natural framework; hydrological objects. The largest area is occupied by urban areas as well as buffer ten-kilometre zones with medium anthropogenic load, to which low-rise buildings and agrolandscapes are attributed. The majority of this area is located in agricultural fields close to the city. The proportion of the natural framework is between 8 and 12 % of the study area, which is not sufficient to ensure environmental safety. Conclusions. The assessment of the dynamic characteristics of anthropogenic load on all studied territories shows an increase in areas with a strong anthropogenic load at the expense of a decrease in areas with an average anthropogenic load, which is explained by the socio-economic development trend of these areas. As a positive aspect, it should be noted an increase in the area of the natural framework in the territory of the urban district of Voronezh over a twenty-year period.