Remote sensing applications in coastal zone management

Satellite data of both sea surface temperature and ocean colour provide the opportunity to study dynamic features and the distribution of water constituents synoptically. A number of available and future satellite sensors with different spatial, temporal and spectral resolutions are presented. They allow to monitor both water temperature and quality in special areas influenced by algal blooms (including cyanobacteria) or in river water containing high concentrations of chlorophyll, suspended matter or yellow substances that change the turbidity. The optical properties and water constituents are also related to associated variables such as dissolved and particle-bound nutrients as well as inorganic and organic pollutants, especially in river mouth areas. The satellite-derived sea surface temperature (SST) and water constituent maps are applied in Baltic Sea research in five main topics: climatological aspects, dynamic processes, water exchange in river mouth areas, phytoplankton blooms and monitoring with special focus on event monitoring. Inter-annual variations in SST have been studied and used for the annual assessment of the state of the Baltic marine environment. SST data were applied to observe dynamic features and to understand the responsible processes in combination with numerical modelling. Phytoplankton development in spring and summer was investigated in relation to SST and meteorological conditions. Systematic investigations of the distribution of river water and coastal regions influenced by that water were performed in the Pomeranian Bight, which has the largest freshwater inflow into the western Baltic Sea from the Oder River. Satellite data delivered an important contribution to the monitoring of the river plume during the exceptional Oder flood event and of the development of cyanobacteria in summer 1997. Additionally, ocean colour data were used to follow the transport of suspended matter, which is an important tracer for inorganic and organic pollutants such as trace metals, chlorinated carbons or bacteria and viruses to identify their extent and the affected areas. Data of higher spatial resolution were implemented in special coastal investigations.