Spatio-temporal distribution of total suspended sediment concentration derived from MODIS data in the Yellow and East China Seas from 2001 to 2013

The monthly mean suspended sediment concentration of the upper layer in the Yellow and East China Seas was derived from the retrieval of the monthly binned MODIS Level 3 remote sensing data from 2001 to 2013. The seasonal variation and spatial distribution of the suspended sediment concentration in the study area were investigated. The results showed that the suspended sediment distribution presents apparent spatial characteristics and seasonal variations, which are mainly affected by the resuspension and transportation of the suspended sediment in the Yellow and East China Seas. The concentration of suspended sediment in the study area is high inshore and low offshore. The suspended sediment covers amuch wider area in winter than in summer, and for the same site the concentration is generally higher in winter. Winds, waves, currents and bottom sediment feature and distribution in the study area are important influencing factors for the distribution pattern.