Author(s): Rossella Belloni; Jaime Pitarch; Claudia Adduce; Federico Falcini

Linked Author(s): Claudia Adduce

Keywords: Connectivity; Remote sensing; Sentinel-2

Abstract: In this study, high-resolution multispectral satellite data, acquired by Sentinel-2 Earth observation mission of the EU Copernicus Programme, are used to investigate the connectivity of the lower Tiber River basin (Italy) from a sedimentological and biogeochemical point of view. To this end, Level-1C satellite imagery, collected on the study area for the period 2017-2020, were processed through the ACOLITE software to perform image atmospheric correction and to obtain water turbidity (WT) and chlorophyll-a (Chl) concentration values on multiple regions of interest along the river course up to the river mouth and the adjacent coastal area. River connectivity was then evaluated by analyzing the spatio-temporal variability of seasonal climatologies of the satellite-derived parameters. The analysis showed a significant dependence of suspended sediment transport and chlorophyll concentration on hydrological conditions; however, complex dynamics arise. Although with some intrinsic limitations, the analysis showed therefore the good potential of high-resolution satellite data to capture the main features of the processes that govern connectivity in inland waters and coastal areas.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3850/978-90-833476-1-5_iahr40wc-p1238-cd

Year: 2023