A Multi-Sensor Approach to Examining the Distribution of Total Suspended Matter (TSM) in the Albemarle-Pamlico Estuarine System, NC, USA

Abstract

For many coastal waters, total suspended matter (TSM) plays a major role in key biological, chemical and geological processes. Effective mapping and monitoring technologies for TSM are therefore needed to support research investigations and environmental assessment and management efforts. Although several investigators have demonstrated that TSM or suspended sediments can be successfully mapped using MODIS 250 m data for relatively large water bodies, MODIS 250 m data is of more limited use for smaller estuaries and bays or aquatic systems with complex shoreline geometry. To adequately examine TSM in the Albemarle-Pamlico Estuarine System (APES) of North Carolina, the large-scale synoptic view of MODIS and the higher spatial resolution of other sensors are required. MODIS, Landsat 7 ETM+ and FORMOSAT-2 remote sensing instrument (RSI) data were collected on 8 November, 24 November and 10 December, 2010. Using TSM images (mg/L) derived from MODIS 250 m band 1 (620-670 nm) data, Landsat 7 ETM+ 30 m band 3 (630-690 nm) and FORMOSAT-2 RSI 8 m band 3 (630−690 nm) atmospherically corrected images were calibrated to TSM for select areas of the APES. There was a significant linear relationship between both Landsat 7 ETM+ (r 2 = 0.87, n = 599, P < 0.001) and FORMOSAT-2 RSI (r 2 = 0.95, n = 583, P < 0.001) OPEN ACCESSRemote Sens. 2011, 3 963 reflectance images and MODIS-derived TSM concentrations, thus providing consistent estimates of TSM at 250, 30 and 8 m pixel resolutions. This multi-sensor approach will support a broad range of investigations on the water quality of the APES and help guide sampling schemes of future field campaigns.

Using High-Resolution Airborne Data to Evaluate MERIS Atmospheric Correction and Intra-Pixel Variability in Nearshore Turbid Waters

“…Second, as the use of MODTRAN makes it possible to simulate the spectral response of atmospheric molecules and aerosols at extremely high spectral resolution, FLAASH can be applied to a variety of multispectral satellite sensors. For example, FLAASH was used for a MODIS/Landsat/Formosat study of SPM distribution in a US estuarine system [29], and for the analysis of benthic microalgae spatial interactions using long-term Landsat and SPOT time-series in an intertidal ecosystem [52]. The present study confirmed the efficiency of FLAASH for the processing of hyperspectral airborne data as well as MERIS multispectral satellite data, and FLAASH can be equally applied to many other airborne and satellite sensors.…”

“…In nearshore areas, FLAASH has been successfully applied to airborne remote sensing over tidal flats [27,28], but has received little attention so far for ocean color remote sensing. Due to the very high resolution of MODTRAN atmospheric spectral libraries, FLAASH is applicable to a wide range of multispectral satellite sensors [29], including MERIS. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the accuracy of FLAASH for MERIS observation in a turbid coastal zone.…”

Seasonal variability of total suspended matter in Minas Basin, Bay of Fundy

“…In coastal and estuarine environments, total suspended matter (TSM) plays a significant role in physical, biological, and chemical processes (Miller et al, 2011). A unique feature of Minas Basin is that biological community structure and trophic pathways seem to be controlled by dynamics of suspended sediment.…”

Spatio-Temporal Variability in a Turbid and Dynamic Tidal Estuarine Environment (Tasmania, Australia): An Assessment of MODIS Band 1 Reflectance

“…The dynamic nature of estuarine systems necessitates finer-scale monitoring, both temporally and spatially. Remote sensing can help overcome the weaknesses of in situ sampling by providing comprehensive spatial and consistent temporal coverage [17].…”