Distribution and Migration Pattern of Surficial Suspended Matter in Zhejiang and Fujian Mud Area Detected by Landsat Satellite Images

Inversion models of SSC are established based on the observed suspended sediment concentration (SSC) in the East China Sea in February 2007 and June 2015, in combination with the satellite images. It is found that the exponential inversion model is the best in use. The squared correlation coefficient is 0.971 and 0.856 for 2007 and 2015 respectively. The results may well suggest the distribution pattern and control factors of the suspended sediment. It is also found that the near shore SSC is stronger than offshore one, and the winter one is higher than that in summer. In winter, the SSC ranges 10~28 mg/L in the Zhejiang and Fujian Coastal Current and 1.5~5 mg/L in the Taiwan warm current. In summer, however, the SSC ranges 4~22 mg/L in the Zhejiang and Fujian Coastal Current and 1.2~2.3 mg/L in the Taiwan warm current. A SSC secondary front was found in the research in addition to the vortices found in the 40 m water depth in winter. However, the SSC secondary front and vortices are not so obvious in summer. According to the result, the winter suspended sediment may contribute more to the formation of the Modern Zhejiang and Fujian vortex mud area.