Estimation of Total Suspended Solids (TSS) concentration in the coastal water of Kuala Terengganu using ocean color monitor satellite

Abstract

Total Suspended Solids (TSS) is solid materials, including organic and inorganic, that suspended in the water. These would include silt, plankton and industrial wastes. High concentrations of Total Suspended Solids (TSS) can lower water quality by absorbing light. A study was carried around coastal water of Kuala Terengganu on 14th Sept 2006 and 17th September 2006. The objectives of this study are to determine the Total Suspended Solids (TSS) concentration in coastal water of Kuala Terengganu and to estimate the spatial distribution of Total Suspended Solids (TSS) using Ocean Color Monitor (OCM) satellite data. Twenty two sampling stations were sampled and water samples were collected. The concentration of Total Suspended Solids (TSS) in coastal water of Kuala Terengganu was found to range between 1.40 mg/L and 14.00 mg/L. The highest concentration of Total Suspended Solids (TSS) was at station 22 with 14.00 mg/L. The lowest concentration of Total Suspended Solids (TSS) was at stations 16 and 17 with 1.40 mg/L. The estimated Total Suspended Solids from the empirical model is lower than actual ranged from 2.00 mg/L to 3.80 mg/L and its shows that the band ratio underestimates the Total Suspended Solids (TSS) concentrations. Regression coefficient (R2) between actual and estimated Total Suspended Solids is 0.7665 and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) is 0.0029.Using Menon's algorithm, the concentration is higher than actual Total Suspended Solids (TSS) that is about 26.35 mg/L to 28.69 mg/L. The study found that the Total Suspended Solids (TSS) was not accurately estimated and this might be caused by less number sampling station are used in this study.