Suspended matter in the surface layer of the southeastern Baltic from satellite data

Abstract

The spatial and temporal variability of the concentration of suspended matter in the surface layer of the southeastern Baltic is analyzed using data from the satellite scanner MODIS-Aqua. The concentration of suspended matter was calculated by a regional algorithm developed on the basis of field data in the given region. The mean monthly distributions of the concentration of suspended matter from March to September 2003–2014 were calculated. The role of contributing factors is analyzed by using the data of the satellite scanner Landsat-8, with a spatial resolution of 30 m. Along with the whole area of studies, the seasonal and interannual variability of the concentration of suspended matter in different regions is considered. No meaningful trend for the average concentration of suspended matter over the considered period is shown.