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Geography and Natural Resources

2021 year, number 3

MODELING OF THE BALANCE OF SUSPENDED SOLIDS IN THE SELENGA DELTA FROM REMOTE SENSING DATA

M.K. Tarasov1,2, G.L. Shinkareva1, S.R. Chalov1, O.V. Tutubalina1
1Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
2FRECOM Ltd., Moscow, Russia
Keywords: metals, suspended sediment concentration, satellite images, Landsat, Sentinel-2, accumulation, biogeochemical barrier

Abstract

This paper describes the methodology developed for assessing the distribution of suspended sediment fluxes and metals along the Selenga delta channels and their accumulation by aquatic vegetation, based on the interpretation of Landsat-5, -7 and -8 and Sentinel-2/MSI satellite images, with clarification according to field data collected in 2011-2016. The methodology has a high potential for application, because it allows to obtain quantitative characteristics of the suspended sediment and metals balances based only on satellite images and data on discharges of suspended matter and metals at the delta apex. Calculation of sediment budget allowed us to obtain first quantitative data on the relationship of erosion-accumulation processes with water discharges in the Selenga river delta: for water discharges larger than 1500 m3/s, a steady predominance of sediment accumulation in the delta was observed. For smaller discharges there are cases of a longitudinal increase in the suspended sediment flux related with pileup from Lake Baikal and channel erosion in the delta arms. On average about 30 % of suspended sediment flux accumulates in the delta. Using an example of July 24, 2014, it was shown that 43 % of the investigated metals flux (Mg, Al, Ti, Tl) under investigation was accumulated in the delta. In the case of metals accumulation, the channel and floodplain components account for 73 and 23 %, respectively; 3 % is due to aquatic vegetation.