Study of the dynamics of estuarine and coastal waters using remote sensing: the Tinto-Odiel estuary, SW Spain

Abstract

This paper deals with the application of satellite images to characterize some aspects of the circulation dynamics of the Tinto-Odiel estuary using turbidity patterns as ‘natural tracers’. 15 images (Landsat TM and Spot HRV) were processed to provide synoptic, instantaneous views of the circulation patterns under different environmental conditions. In addition, a comparison was made between results of oceanographic field work, using biplanes and fluorescent tracers, and satellite image turbidity patterns used as ‘ground truth’ data for specific hydroclimatic situations. This approach allowed (1) the identification and mapping of dynamic processes of interest during a theoretical tidal cycle, (2) the elaboration of additional information on the ‘flow schemes’ at the mouth of the estuary with improved spatial and temporal resolution, and (3) the supply of basic data to improve the knowledge of exchange processes between estuarine and coastal waters. The results of this study are considered to be useful for the management of the estuarine system

Hydrodynamic controls of morpho-sedimentary evolution in a rock-bounded wave dominated estuary. Tina Menor (N Spain)

“…This effect is interpreted as a result of a deflection of the flow current along the central southeast direction due to the western rocky outcrop and because the ebb current in the east is moderate or residual. Within rock-bounded estuaries with the same features, the Coriolis effect in the surface layer has also been observed in several studies in the Iberian Peninsula: in the Arosa Ria estuary (Roson et al, 1997), in the mouth of the Tinto and Odiel estuary in Huelva (Ojeda et al, 1995) and in the outer mouth of the Eo estuary (Piedracoba, 2005). This effect has also been observed in larger macrotidal estuaries in Australia (Ryan et al, 2003) and in the Yangtze estuary (Li et al, 2011).…”

Study of the surface water circulation in San Blas channel (Argentina) using landsat imagery

“…This parameter, detectable by Landsat reflective bands, has been extensively used as a natural tracer of water circulation patterns (BABAN, 1994(BABAN, , 1995CHICA-OLMO et al, 2004;KUNTE, 1994;OJEDA et al, 1995;PATTIARATCHI et al, 1986;ULIBARRENA and WEBER, 2007). KUNTE (1994) determined the shore-drift direction along the Kerala coast (India) by studying the shape of the turbidity plumes observed in Landsat images.…”

“…Analyzing turbidity patterns in 12 Landsat TM and Spot HRV images associated with different hydrodynamic conditions in the Tinto -Odiel estuary (SW Spain), OJEDA et al (1995) studied the water circulation in the estuary during a theoretical tidal cycle. The qualitative interpretation of the turbidity patterns allowed them to characterize the main aspects of the estuarine dynamics (tidal currents, turbidity maximum, coastal and estuarine water mixing processes) and determine flow schemes in the estuary mouth (OJEDA et al, 1995).…”

“…The qualitative interpretation of the turbidity patterns allowed them to characterize the main aspects of the estuarine dynamics (tidal currents, turbidity maximum, coastal and estuarine water mixing processes) and determine flow schemes in the estuary mouth (OJEDA et al, 1995). These dynamic studies in the Tinto-Odiel estuary system were continued by CHICA- OLMO et al (2004), who applied Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to a set of Landsat images in order to identify turbidity levels and flow directions during average high to low tides.…”

“…For this purpose, a set of 8 Landsat TM and ETM images of the study area were analyzed. Although the Landsat visible channels do not penetrate far into the turbid water (LATHROP and LILLESAND, 1989), thus reducing the utility of turbidity patterns in dynamic studies to surface waters (OJEDA et al, 1995), the well-mixed San Blas channel, characterized by prevailing homothermal and homohaline vertical profiles and intense tidal currents (ALVAREZ and RÍOS, 1983), is considered an appropriate environment for the application of this approach.…”