Abstract
Patterns of turbidity in estuarine environments are linked to hydrodynamic processes. However, the linkage between patterns and processes remains poorly resolved due to the scarcity of data needed to resolve fine scale highly dynamic processes in tidal estuaries. The application of remote sensing technology to monitor dynamic coastal areas such as estuaries offers important advantages in this regard, by providing synoptic maps of larger, constantly changing regions over consistent periods. In situ turbidity measurements were correlated against the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer Terra sensor 250 m surface reflectance product, in order to assess this product for examining the complex estuarine waters of the Tamar estuary (Australia). Satellite images were averaged to examine spatial, seasonal and annual patterns of turbidity. Relationships between in situ measurements of turbidity and reflectance is positively correlated and improves with increased tidal height, a decreased overpass-in situ gap, and one day after a rainfall event. Spatial and seasonal patterns that appear in seasonal and annual MODIS averages, highlighting the usefulness of satellite imagery for resource managers to manage sedimentation issues in a degraded estuary.
Highlights
Monitoring hydrodynamic processes, agricultural practices, urban discharges, and the distribution, source and flux of suspended materials and pollutants in coastal and estuarine waters requires measurement of biological, hydromorphological and physio-chemical water quality parameters
This study aims to assess the relationship between in situ measurements of turbidity in the Tamar River and atmospherically-corrected reflectance in Band 1 (620–670 nm) from the MODIS Terra sensor and how such relationships change as a function of tides, satellites crossing time and days after rainfall
Due to the lack of in situ total suspended solids (TSS) measurements, hydrolab turbidity data was used for the remaining correlation analysis
Summary
Monitoring hydrodynamic processes, agricultural practices, urban discharges, and the distribution, source and flux of suspended materials and pollutants in coastal and estuarine waters requires measurement of biological, hydromorphological and physio-chemical water quality parameters. An important parameter to measure is typically turbidity. Turbidity may affect the physical properties of the water column, such as temperature, dissolved oxygen content, sunlight penetration [1,2]. Turbidity can alter the physical structure of benthic habitat, which will affect benthic flora and fauna [3,4,5,6,7]. In the case of water sanitization, high turbidity prevents efficient and effective chlorination of water because high concentrations of suspended solids may interfere with chlorine facilitated bacteria removal [9,10]. The estimation of water transparency or cloudiness through indicators such as total suspended solids (TSS, in mg/L) or turbidity is of critical importance
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