Seasonal variability of suspended particulate matter observed from SeaWiFS images near the Belgian coast
Van den Eynde, D.; Nechad, B.; Fettweis, M.; Francken, F. (2007). Seasonal variability of suspended particulate matter observed from SeaWiFS images near the Belgian coast, in: Maa, J.P.-Y. et al. (Ed.) Estuarine and coastal fine sediments dynamics: INTERCOH 2003. Proceedings in Marine Science, 8: pp. 291-311. dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1568-2692(07)80019-2 In: Maa, J.P.-Y.; Sanford, L.P.; Schoellhamer, D.H. (Ed.) (2007). Estuarine and coastal fine sediments dynamics: INTERCOH 2003. Proceedings in Marine Science, 8. Elsevier: Amsterdam. ISBN 0-444-52163-1. IX, 525 + cd-rom (data) pp., more In: Proceedings in Marine Science. Elsevier: New York. ISSN 1568-2692; e-ISSN 2352-2860, more |  |
| Keywords | In situ measurements
Particulates > Suspended particulate matter
Satellite imagery
Temporal variations > Periodic variations > Seasonal variations
ANE, Belgium, Belgian Coast [Marine Regions]
Marine/Coastal | | Author keywords | Suspended particulate matter; SeaWiFS satellite images; in situ measurements; Belgian coastal waters |
| Abstract | Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) surface concentration maps in the Belgian/Dutch coastal zone are retrieved from SeaWiFS images and are corrected using in situ measurements to obtain depth-averaged SPM concentration maps. A spatial correlation analysis of the derived maps shows that the area could be divided into three subregions where the correlations between the SPM concentrations are higher than 70%. Examination of in situ SPM concentration measurements reveals that during about 1/3 of the tidal cycle the SPM concentration is significantly higher than during the rest of the cycle. Strong vertical gradients are sometimes observed during periods with increased SPM concentration. A satellite image taken during such a period would underestimate the depth-averaged SPM concentration. Images taken during other periods better represents (except for some small corrections) the averaged SPM concentration. The methodology for obtaining the depth-averaged SPM concentration maps from surface SPM distributions derived from SeaWiFS images is positive but can be further improved. |
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