Even though currently there are a lot of sensors with adequate spectral and radiometric resolutions and field of view to the water properties characterization, the low spatial resolution limits the application of their images on the inland water study. The WFI sensor that will be launched at the CBERS-3 satellite may fill this gap by having spectral, radiometric and spatial characteristics that attend the application needs for inland water studies. To assess a sensor performance before its launch there are available image simulation methods. This article aimed to assess the potential of a WFI/CBERS-3 image to distinguish optically distinct water masses in the Ibitinga ReservoirSP. Therefore, it was accomplished the image simulation of this sensor from a QuickBird scene, which has similar spectral and radiometric properties to the WFI sensor. Unsupervised classifications were performed with different numbers of spectral classes for the simulated image and for a TM/Landsat-5 image (resampled to the same pixel size). It was realized that the application of high radiometric resolution images allows the obtaining of better results for the optically distinct water masses classification. However, the use of high spatial resolution images on the simulation process may complicate the water masses distinction due to the direct surface reflection of the Sun light. The surface water ripples caused by the wind action intensify the brightness in these images, damaging the classification. Nevertheless, the WFI/CBERS-3 image simulation indicated a high potential of this sensor to water quality studies in inland aquatic systems.Pages: 2530-253
