ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING OF ESTUARIES ESTIMATING AND MAPPING VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATORS IN BREYDON WATER ESTUARY, UK, USING LANDSAT TM IMAGERY

The spatial and temporal distribution of suspended solids, turbidity, temperature, salinity, chlorophyll a and total phosphorus were estimat ed and mapped with various degrees of success in Breydon Water Estuary using satellite (Landsat Thematic Mapper) imagery. All the indicators exhibit a similar spatial pattern within the estuary. High values are found at both the saltwater and freshwater ends of the estuary, and l ow values are found in the mixing zone. The pattern is thought to be d ue to the influence of suspended solids and turbidity on the optical c haracteristics of water in this environment. The distribution of suspe nded solids and turbidity are influenced by the flood-ebb intervals, t he sedimentation processes and the internal topography of the estuary. All of the predicted values are consistent with those reported in the literature. (C) 1997 Academic Press Limited.