Satellite assessment of Mississippi River plume variability: Causes and predictability

Journal Article · Tue Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1996 · Remote Sensing of Environment

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0034-4257(95)00259-6· OSTI ID:415611

Walker, N D ^[1]

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1. Louisiana State Univ., Baton Rouge, LA (United States). Coastal Studies Inst.

The Mississippi River is the largest river in North America and 6th largest worldwide in terms of discharge. In this study, 5 years (1989--1993) of NOAA Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer satellite data were used to investigate the variability of the Mississippi River sediment plume and the environmental forcing factors responsible for its variability. Plume variability was determined by extracting information on plume area and plume length from 112 cloud-free satellite images. Correlation and multiple regression techniques were used to quantify these relationships for possible predictive applications. River discharge and wind forcing were identified as the main factors affecting plume variability. Seasonal and interannual variabilities in plume area were similar in magnitude and corresponded closely with large changes in river discharge. However, day-to-day variability in plume size and morphology was more closely associated with changes in the wind field. The plume parameters best predicted by the multiple regression models were plume area, east and west of the delta. Predictive models were improved by separating the data into summer and winter seasons.

• OSTI ID: 415611
• Journal Information: Remote Sensing of Environment, Journal Name: Remote Sensing of Environment Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 58; ISSN RSEEA7; ISSN 0034-4257
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ANNUAL VARIATIONS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
FORECASTING
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
PLUMES
REMOTE SENSING
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
WATER POLLUTION