A total suspended sediment retrieval model for multiple estuaries and coasts by Landsat imageries

Based on 119 in-situ data from five estuaries and coasts of South China including Xunwen coast, estuary of Moyangjiang River, estuary and coast of Pearl River, estuary of Hanjiang River and estuary of Yangtze River, this paper aims to develop and establish a TSS retrieval model that applicable in different field conditions. After recalibrating and validating the form with the highest correlation coefficient between reflectance and TSS concentration and other TSS retrieval models that have been successful applied in many places, we found that the quadratic model of the ratio of logarithmic transformation of red band and near infrared band and logarithmic transformation of TSS concentration (QRLTSS) shows the highest performance. QRLTSS model based on Landsat OLI, ETM+ and TM can explained about 71% of the TSS concentration variation (4.3~577.2 mg/L) in the five regions and has a high and acceptable validation accuracy with root mean square error (RMSE) of 21.5-25mg/L and mean relative error (MRE) of 27.2-32.2%. We concluded that QRLTSS model can be used to quantify the TSS concentration of multiple estuaries and coasts of south China which would be helpful to understand the temporal and spatial variation of TSS in a large region. QRLTSS model should be applied to Landsat imagery for further validation in the future. The approach proposed in the paper also could promote the research work of establishing regional and uniform TSS retrieval model forward.