Mapping of the North Sea turbid coastal waters using SeaWiFS data

The spatial–temporal coverage provided by optical remote sensing can be effectively used to overcome some of the severe deficiencies in the current in situ monitoring programs for water-quality parameters in the coastal zone. We present the outcome of a project to map the concentrations fields of total suspended matter in the North Sea, based on data from the sea-viewing wide field-of-view sensor (SeaWiFS) instrument. Next to a good infrastructure and standard automatic processing, a reliable atmospheric correction proved to be essential. A single-band algorithm, based on a representative set of inherent optical properties, is presented. The satellite data and data from a standard in situ monitoring program near the Dutch coast are compared. For the year 2000, a total of 129 images could be used to present actual information and to derive monthly mean patterns and trends in the dynamic North Sea system. The results show the capacity of satellite data to provide excellent temporal coverage. Spatial variations of suspended sediment, often caused by input from rivers plus wind- and wave-induced resuspension over shallow areas, are covered.