Seasonal variability of the suspended particulate matter around the Heuksan mud belt

Abstract

Suspended particulate matter (SPM) acts as an indicator of turbulent flow quantities, allowing the creation of a vertical profile of particulate settling velocities and vertical mixing processes (Pleskachevsky et al., 2011). SPM patterns observed at the water surface are affected by bathymetry, seasonal stratification, turbulence, and freshwater (Choi et al., 2014 Neil et al., 2012). Therefore, understanding the spatial and temporal distribution and variability of SPM is of great scientific interest. The purpose of this study was to explain intra-annual variabilities in remotely sensed suspended sediment distribution and surface temperature (SST) around the Heuksan mud belt (HMB) in 1 sample year, 2013. The monthly composite of SPM and SST delineated the distributional change in the HMB, indicating that intra-annual variability was primarily linked to changing meteorological inputs, such as a dominant, strong northwesterly wind from monsoons and decreasing horizontal radiation in the winter, and dominant southeasterly wind flow and increasing surface heating in the summer. The tongue-shaped thermohaline front, monsoon winds, and bathymetry limited the spread of SPM at the southern part of the HMB in winter. In conclusion, seasonal dynamics of sediment movement around the HMB can be effectively detected using GOCI.served at the water surface are affected by bathymetry, seasonal stratification, turbulence, and freshwater (Choi et al., 2014 Neil et al., 2012). Therefore, understanding the spatial and temporal distribution and variability of SPM is of great scientific interest. The purpose of this study was to explain intra-annual variabilities in remotely sensed suspended sediment distribution and surface temperature (SST) around the Heuksan mud belt (HMB) in 1 sample year, 2013. The monthly composite of SPM and SST delineated the distributional change in the HMB, indicating that intra-annual variability was primarily linked to changing meteorological inputs, such as a dominant, strong northwesterly wind from monsoons and decreasing horizontal radiation in the winter, and dominant southeasterly wind flow and increasing surface heating in the summer. The tongue-shaped thermohaline front, monsoon winds, and bathymetry limited the spread of SPM at the southern part of the HMB in winter. In conclusion, seasonal dynamics of sediment movement around the HMB can be effectively detected using GOCI.