ASSESSMENT OF THE EVOLUTION OF NIGHTTIME LIGHT POLLUTION REACHING SEA TURTLE NESTING SITES ALONG THE EASTERN COAST OF SAUDI ARABIA USING REMOTE SENSING AND IN-SITU DATA

With continued development and urbanization in coastal zones, light pollution has become a pressing environmental issue particularly affecting the biology and ecology of different organisms such as sea turtles. In this study, we investigated the evolution of nighttime light (NTL) pollution in coastal areas adjacent to the main turtle nesting islands in the Saudi offshore waters of the Arabian Gulf using both remote sensing NASA BlackMarble surface bidirectional reflectance data and in-situ observations and measurement using the Sky Quality Meter (SQM). NTL data revealed that of the five coastal areas considered for the analysis, the built-up zone over Abu Ali Island produced the highest radiance of maximum mean value reaching 26,799 nWatts cm(-2) sr(-1) with most of the high light level values maintained at around 10,000 nWatts cm(-2) sr(-1). Field observation revealed that light from these coastal areas reached the turtle nesting site of Jana Island. In-situ surveys using SQM instrument provided quantitative data on light pollution levels occurring at the turtle nesting islands of Jana and Karan.