Spatial and temporal variations of turbidity in the East China Seas derived from MODIS satellite data

Based on MODIS satellite data and a new-built turbidity satellite derived model, spatial and temporal variations of turbidity in the East China Seas are analyzed. Four survey cruises have been conducted in 2011 and 2013. The in-situmeasurements are used to set up the relationship between particle backscattering coefficient and turbidity, while the satellite data matching with the in-situ data are applied to confirm the reliability of the new model. On this basis, turbidity distribution of 12 months in East China Seas are derived from MODIS satellite data from 2009~2013 and the dynamics are analyzed. It is showed that the turbidity distribution in the East China Seas has great spatial and temporal variations. In space, turbidity is higher in nearshore than far offshore regions. In time, turbidity is highest in winter and lowest in summer, while increasing gradually in spring and decreasing rapidly in autumn.