Revealing the influence of various factors on concentration and spatial distribution of suspended matter based on remote sensing data

The paper discusses the results of a research on the influence of various hydrometeorological factors on distribution of suspended matter carried by rivers into the sea. The research is based on remote sensing data received in different bands of electromagnetic spectrum. Suspended matter concentration and integral water turbidity were estimated based on data from MODIS, MERIS, ETM+, TM and OLI sensors. The study was performed for two regions with very different characteristics: the semi-enclosed Gulf of Gdańsk of the Baltic Sea and eastern part of the Black Sea. It is shown that the plume fraction with highest suspended matter concentration of the lowland River Vistula spreads primarily under the impact of wind. Low concentration plume fraction is driven by the longshore current. In case of extraordinary floods, turbid Vistula waters spread in the upper sea layer almost all over the Gulf. The situation in the eastern part of the Black Sea with its narrow shoal and abrupt shelf edge wherein flow highly turbid mountain rivers is quite different. Here, the dominating role is played by runoff. Its intensity determines both plume shape and dimensions. A strong easterly wind can change plume configuration, cause formation of jet-like plumes.

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