The use of Landsat imagery to map fluvial sediment discharge into coastal waters

Abstract

The sediment discharge of the river Yare, via Breydon Water estuary, into the North Sea has been studied. Sixty samples were taken, the average of each sample in the band TM1 was used to estimate the concentrations of suspended solids. Sixty samples were used to extract information from the reflective bands TM1–TM4. The spatial distribution of suspended solids as well as the spatial and vertical extent of different turbidity levels were then detected, estimated and mapped. Based on this information the water circulation pattern at the mouth of river Yare was identified and mapped. The influence of wind velocity and direction, as well as the tidal current conditions prior to and during the image time, on turbidity and water circulation patterns were examined. The tidal influence was found to be the most significant factor in shaping and guiding water circulation near the mouth of river Yare.