Suspended sediment concentration estimation from multi-spectral video imagery

Abstract Suspended sediment is an important parameter for the monitoring of water quality, water movement, erosion, and deposition. Quantitative suspended sediment concentrations have been identified through the analysis of remotely sensed airborne multi-spectral video imagery. From a statistical analysis of the data, a single band ( 675-725 nm) was shown to be sufficient for determining suspended sediment concentrations within lakes of the Mackenzie Delta, N.W.T., Canada. A statistical analysis and derived linear regression equation were used to quantitatively determine suspended sediment concentrations for a number of lakes within the Mackenzie Delta. The results were compared with a qualitative interpretation of simultaneous colour photography. The multi-spectral video imagery proved to have superior suspended sediment concentration resolution characteristics.