Retrieval of Suspended Sediment from Advanced Hyperspectral Sensor Data in the Scheldt Estuary at Different Stages in the Tidal Cycle

Abstract

Hyperspectral airborne remote sensing images and in-situ data are combined to assess the spatial and temporal sediment dynamics in the tidal Scheldt river. A log-linear empirical relationship has been developed between a near-infrared reflectance difference and total suspended matter. The relationship was shown to be relatively insensitive to the varying cirrus cloud cover occurring during data acquisition. The produced sediment maps show good agreement with known variations of turbidity over the tidal cycle: maximum turbidity around high water, gradual settling of the sediment in the succeeding slack water and resuspension at the onset of the ebb flow stage.

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Ir. Taverniers and Ir. Vanlede of The Ministry of the Flemish community, Hydraulic Research Laboratory and Hydrological Research division for their fruitful comments and support during the field campaign. BELSPO, the Belgian Federal Science Policy Office, supported the “ORMES” (Operational Remote sensing Mapping of Estuarine suspended Sediment concentrations) project (STEREO research project n° SR/67/36).