Variability of hydrodynamic phenoma of the Upper St. Lawrence estuary using Landsat 5 Thematic Mapper data French

摘要

The Upper St. Lawrence estuary is an area where many physical factors such as the wind, the freshwater runoff, the tides and the bathymetry interact to generate a strong spatio-temporal variability of measurable parameters. Six Landsat-5 Thematic Mapper thermal images were analysed to study the sea surface temperature spatial variability of this complex region. Results show that the bathymetry is the principal factor controlling this structure. Sea surface temperatures are usually warmer in shallower areas. Bathymetry is also responsible for the localization of the principal density front close to (i) over cap le aux Coudres. Finally, the results show that the sea surface temperature is influenced by the intense tidal mixing and by wind-induced upwellings. Data analysis finally showed that the Thematic Mapper sensor was able to significantly detect spatial temperature gradients that are stronger than 1 degreesC. References: 20