Variability of suspended particulate matter concentration in coastal waters under the Mekong s influence from ocean color (MERIS) remote sensing over the last decade

Spatio-temporal patterns of suspended particulate matter, SPM, in coastal waters under the Mekong's influence are examined through remote sensing data collected from January 2003 to April 2012 by the MEdium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) at full spatial resolution (300 × 300 m2). The first SPM climatology over this region is provided and the SPM temporal variation schemes (irregular variability, seasonal variability, and long term trend) are described using the Census-X-11 time series decomposition method. The different spatio-temporal patterns are then analyzed with regard to regional oceanographic and hydrologic conditions. The origin of the processes controlling the seasonality of the Mekong Delta plume is characterized. The increase of turbidity observed from June to December, starts with the Mekong sediment inputs which are maximum during the summer monsoon (the water discharge reaches its maximum in September/October). While the Mekong water discharge decreases, the concentration of suspended sediment keeps increasing in coastal waters during the following two/three months (November to January). This increase is explained by resuspension effects occurring in the shallow coastal areas. Due to higher wave energy and oblique orientation of the waves breaking near the coast, the winter monsoon triggers a high level of agitation and high value of resuspended material concentration which are submitted to a longshore current directed towards the South-West. Deposition (in front of the Delta) and erosion (northern and southern areas of the delta) areas are identified in good agreement with recent results obtained from a prognostic model. While the temporal variability is strongly dominated by the seasonal component, a long term trend of about − 5% SPM concentration per year is observed in the pro-delta area and is attributed to the decrease of the Mekong river sediment output during the high flow season.