Comparison of remote sensing data, model results and in situ data for total suspended matter (TSM) in the southern Frisian lakes

Suspended matter plays an important role in water quality management since it is related to total primary production and fluxes of heavy metals and mi cropollutants such as PCBs, Synoptic information on suspended matter at a r egular frequency is difficult to obtain from the routine in situ monitoring network since suspended matter is (like chlorophyll) a spatially inhomogen eous parameter. This can be solved by the integrated use of remote sensing data, in situ data and water quality models. A methodology previously devel oped for integrating information from remote sensing, and models (Vos and S chuttelaar, Neth Remote Sensing Board (1995) report 95-19), was applied for the assessment of suspended matter concentrations in the southern Frisian lakes in the Netherlands. The model is a one-dimensional network model. Rem ote sensing data (Landsat-TMS and SPOT-HRV) were atmospherically corrected and converted to total suspended matter maps. The algorithms are based on a nalytical optical modelling, using the in situ inherent optical properties. This methodology enables the development of multi-temporal algorithms for estimating seston dry weight concentration in lakes from remotely sensed da ta; thus satellite data can now become an independent measurement tool for water management authorities. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B,V, All rights res erved.