Environmental monitoring of estuaries: Estimating and mapping various environmental indicators in Matla estuarine complex, using Landsat TM digital data

The spatial and temporal distribution of suspended solids, turbidity, temperature, salinity, chlorophyll a and total phosphorus were estimated and mapped with various degrees of success in Matla Estuary using satellite (Landsat Thematic Mapper) imagery. All the indicators exhibit a similar spatial pattern within the estuary. High values are found at both the saltwater and freshwater ends of the estuary, and low values are found in the mixing zone. The pattern is thought to be due to the influence of suspended solids and turbidity on the optical characteristics of water in this environment. The distribution of suspended solids and turbidity are influenced by the flood–ebb intervals, the sedimentation processes and the internal topography of the estuary. All of the predicted values are consistent with those reported in the literature.