Spatial Features and Seasonal Variability of Suspended Matter Distribution in the Sea of Azov Based on Satellite Measurements

N. V. Vasilenko✉, A. A. Aleskerova, L. V. Kharitonova, A. A. Kubryakov, S. V. Stanichny

Marine Hydrophysical Institute of RAS, Sevastopol, Russian Federation

✉ e-mail: Nadinkot.nk@gmail.com

Abstract

Purpose. The purpose of the work is to study spatial and seasonal variability of the total suspended matter concentration in the Sea of Azov over a long-term period using optical satellite data, and to assess its relationship with the intensity and duration of wind impact.

Methods and Results. An array of more than 3000 MODIS, Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2 satellite images for 2003–2024 was analyzed. The average suspended matter concentrations were mapped and the obtained fields were compared with the types of bottom sediments, bottom relief, and hydrometeorological conditions. It was established that during wind-wave roiling, significant optical inhomogeneities were recorded in the suspended matter field, conditioned, probably, by the different granulometric composition of bottom sediments, as well as by the features of bottom relief. It was shown that the maximum average long-term concentrations of suspended matter (up to 10 mg/L) were observed in the areas with fine-grained bottom sediments and complex bottom relief, namely in the coastal zone of the Yeysky Peninsula, by the Dolgaya Spit and Bank, and the Yelenina Bank. In the coastal areas of the Arabat Spit and Biryuchy Island Spit, and the Obitochnaya and Berdyansk Spits, the concentrations reached 5–6 mg/L. The analysis of hydrometeorological conditions showed that the impact of wind with a speed exceeding 10 m/s for 1–2 days or longer resulted in an increase in water turbidity practically throughout the whole region under study. The highest values of suspended matter concentration (more than 10 mg/L) were recorded at wind speeds exceeding 14 m/s and durations surpassing 5 days. As for seasonal dynamics, the maximum values were revealed in the winter period (7–9 mg/L in January), and the minimum ones were observed from June to September (0–1 mg/L).

Conclusions. The spatial distribution of suspended matter in the Sea of Azov is conditioned by lithodynamic factors (bottom sediment type and bottom topography) and the hydrometeorological conditions. The most intense wind-driven roiling takes place during the cold season, from October to April.

Keywords

Sea of Azov, suspended matter concentration, MODIS, roiling, satellite data, satellite images, satellite photographs, bottom sediments, wind mixing, Landsat, Sentinel-2

Acknowledgements

The study was supported by the RSF grant 25-27-00234 “Study of the formation and redistribution of suspended matter in the Sea of Azov and on the western coast of Crimea”.

About the authors

Nadezhda V. Vasilenko, Junior Researcher, Marine Hydrophysical Institute of RAS (2 Каpitanskaya Str., Sevastopol, 299011, Russian Federation), SPIN-code: 4710-2532, Web of Science ResearcherID: JZT-8108-2024, Scopus Author ID: 57358387000, nadinkot.nk@gmail.com

Anna A. Aleskerova, Senior Researcher, Marine Hydrophysical Institute of RAS (2 Каpitanskaya Str., Sevastopol, 299011, Russian Federation), CSc. (Geogr.), SPIN-code: 5796-2254, ORCID: 0000-0003-1451-3440, Web of Science ResearcherID: F-2966-2017, Scopus Author ID: 57021552600, annete08@mail.ru

Lyudmila V. Kharitonova, Senior Researcher, Marine Hydrophysical Institute of RAS (2 Каpitanskaya Str., Sevastopol, 299011, Russian Federation), CSc. (Geogr.), SPIN-code: 7274-6248, ResearcherID: Y-17802018, ORCID ID: 0000-0003-0705-0812, l.kharitonova@mhi-ras.ru

Arseniy A. Kubryakov, Deputy Director for Research, Marine Hydrophysical Institute of RAS (2 Каpitanskaya Str., Sevastopol, 299011, Russian Federation), DSc. (Phys.-Math.), SPIN-code: 4371-8879, Scopus Author ID: 37072750100, WoS ResearcherID: F-8921-2014, ORCID ID: 0000-0003-3561-5913, arskubr@yandex.ru

Sergey V. Stanichny, Senior Researcher, Marine Hydrophysical Institute of RAS (2 Каpitanskaya Str., Sevastopol, 299011, Russian Federation), CSc. (Phys.-Math.), SPIN-code: 8146-9454, ORCID: 0000-0002-1033-5678, WoS ResearcherID: F-8915-2014, Scopus Author ID: 6602344280, sstanichny@mail.ru

Original russian text

Original Russian Text © The Authors, 2026, published in MORSKOY GIDROFIZICHESKIY ZHURNAL, Vol. 42, Iss. 2, pp. 167–184 (2026)

For citation

Vasilenko, N.V., Aleskerova, A.A., Kharitonova, L.V., Kubryakov, A.A. and Stanichny, S.V., 2026. Spatial Features and Seasonal Variability of Suspended Matter Distribution in the Sea of Azov Based on Satellite Measurements. Physical Oceanography, 33(2), pp. 217-233.

References

  1. Matishov, G.G., 2006. Geomorphologic Peculiarities of the Azov Sea Shelf. Vestnik Yuzhnogo Nauchnogo Tsentra RAN, 2(1), pp. 44-48. https://doi.org/10.23885/1813-4289-2006-2-1-44-48 (in Russian).
  2. Matishov, G.G., Kovaleva, G.V. and Pol’shin, V.V., 2009. New Data on the Sedimentation Rate in the Sea of Azov in the Late Holocene. Doklady Earth Sciences, 429(1), pp. 1369-1372. https://doi.org/10.1134/S1028334X09080285
  3. Tsygankova, A.E., Bespalova, L.A., Ivlieva, O.V. and Magaeva, A.A., 2020. Using a Dynamic Approach for Zoning the Coast of the Sea of Azov. Ecology. Economy. Informatics. System Analysis and Mathematical Modeling of Ecological and Economic Systems, 1(5), pp. 207-213. https://doi.org/10.23885/2500-395X-2020-1-5-207-213 (in Russian).
  4. Matishov, G.G., 2007. Seismic Profiling and Mapping of the Azov Sea Recent Bottom Sediments. Vestnik Yuzhnogo Nauchnogo Tsentra, 3(3), pp. 32-40 (in Russian).
  5. Sorokina, VV. and Kulygin V.V., 2013. Long-Term Variability of the Water Transparency (Secchi Depth) in the Sea of Azov. Oceanology, 53(3), pp. 287-293. https://doi.org/10.1134/S0001437013030107
  6. Gromov, V.V., 2012. Aquatic and Coastal Vegetation of the Northern and Western Coast of the Azov Sea. Journal of Siberian Federal University. Biology, 2(5), pp. 121-137. https://doi.org/10.17516/1997-1389-0140 (in Russian).
  7. Kosyan, R.D. and Krylenko, V.V., 2007. Comprehensive Characteristics of the Current State of the Shores of the Sea of Azov. In: V. V. Denisov, A. D. Chinarina, N. V. Lebedeva and S. V. Kreneva, eds., 2007. Ecosystem Studies of the Azov, Black, and Caspian Seas and Their Coasts. Apatity: Publishing House of the Kola Science Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Vol. 9, pp. 50-67 (in Russian).
  8. Kushnir, V.M., 2008. Estimation of the Weighed Sediments Characteristics from Optical Scanners Data. Ecological Safety of Coastal and Shelf Zones and Comprehensive Use of Shelf Resources, 16, pp. 224-235 (in Russian).
  9. Matishov, G.G., Bespalova, L.A., Ivlieva, O.V., Tsygankova, A.E. and Kropyanko, L.V., 2016. The Sea of Azov: Recent Abrasion Processes and Problems of Coastal Protection. Doklady Earth Sciences, 471(2), pp. 1269-1272. https://doi.org/10.1134/S1028334X16120059
  10. Skripka, G.I., Kosolapov, A.E., Bespalova, L.A. and Ivlieva, O.V., 2017. Monitoring Hazardous Exogenous Processes in the Coastal Zone of the Sea of Azov Using Remote Sensing Data and GIS Technologies. In: IWP RAS, 2017. Water Resources: New Challenges and Solutions: Collection of Scientific Works Dedicated to the Year of Ecology in Russia and the 50th Anniversary of the Institute of Water Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences. Novocherkassk: OOO Lik, pp. 531-536 (in Russian).
  11. Ermolov, А.А., Ignatov, E.I., Kizyakov, А.I. and Ilyushin, D.G., 2019. Abrasion Shores of the Azov and Black Seas. Ecology Economy Informatics. Geoinformation Technologies and Space Monitoring, (4), pp. 142-146. https://doi.org/10.23885/2500-123X-2019-2-4-142-146 (in Russian).
  12. Sorokina, V.V. and Berdnikov, S.V., 2008. Mathematical Modeling of the Terrigenous Sedimentation in the Sea of Azov. Oceanology, 48(3), pp. 418-427. https://doi.org/10.1134/S0001437008030144
  13. Vasilenko, N.V., Kubryakov, A.A. and Stanichny, S.V., 2024. Characteristics of the Kuban River Plume according to Satellite Data. Izvestiya, Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics, 60(12), pp. 1522-1535. https://doi.org/10.1134/S0001433825700197
  14. Luzhnyak, O.L., 2011. Phytoplankton Development of the Taganrog Gulf at Spring-Summer Period Consequence Exclusively Warm-Winter 2006/2007. Bulletin of Higher Educational Institutions. North Caucasus Region. Natural Sciences, (1), pp. 67-71 (in Russian).
  15. Vasilenko, N.V., Medvedeva, A.V., Aleskerova, A.A., Kubryakov, A.A. and Stanichny, S.V., 2021. Features of Cyanobacteria Blooms in the Central Part of the Sea of Azov from Satellite Data. Sovremennye Problemy Distantsionnogo Zondirovaniia Zemli iz Kosmosa, 18(5), pp. 166-180. https://doi.org/10.21046/2070-7401-2021-18-5-166-180 (in Russian).
  16. Saprygin, V.V., Berdnikov, S.V., Kulygin, V.V., Dashkevich, L.V. and Mestetskiy, L.M., 2018. Spatial Distribution and Seasonal Dynamics of the Chlorophyll a Concentration in the Sea of Azov Based on MERIS Images. Oceanology, 58(5), pp. 689-699. https://doi.org/10.1134/S0001437018050132
  17. Vasilenko, N.V., Aleskerova, A.A., Kubryakov, A.A., Mizyuk, A.I. and Stanichny, S.V., 2023. Propagation of the Black Sea Waters in the Sea of Azov Based on the Satellite Data and the NEMO Model. Physical Oceanography, 30(4), pp. 484-507.
  18. Miller, R.L. and McKee, B.A., 2004. Using MODIS Terra 250 m Imagery to Map Concentrations of Total Suspended Matter in Coastal Waters. Remote Sensing of Environment, 93(1–2), pp. 259-266. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2004.07.012
  19. Zhang, M., Tang, J., Dong, Q., Song, Q. and Ding, J., 2010. Retrieval of Total Suspended Matter Concentration in the Yellow and East China Seas from MODIS Imagery. Remote Sensing of Environment, 114(2), pp. 392-403. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2009.09.016
  20. Burenkov, V.I., Goldin, Yu.A. and Kravchishina, M.D., 2010. The Distribution of the Suspended Matter Concentration in the Kara Sea in September 2007 Based on Ship and Satellite Data. Oceanology, 50(5), pp. 798-805. https://doi.org/10.1134/S0001437010050164
  21. Loisel, H., Mangin, A., Vantrepotte, V., Dessailly, D., Ngoc Dinh, D., Garnesson, P., Ouillon, S., Lefebvre, J.-P., Mériaux, X. [et al.], 2014. Variability of Suspended Particulate Matter Concentration in Coastal Waters under the Mekong’s Influence from Ocean Color (MERIS) Remote Sensing over the Last Decade. Remote Sensing of Environment, 150, pp. 218-230. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2014.05.006
  22. Nechad, B., Ruddick, K., Schroeder, T., Oubelkheir, K., Blondeau-Patissier, D., Cherukuru, N., Brando, V., Dekker, A., Clementson, L. [et al.], 2015. CoastColour Round Robin Data Sets: A Database to Evaluate the Performance of Algorithms for the Retrieval of Water Quality Parameters in Coastal Waters. Earth System Science Data, 7(2), pp. 319-348. https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-7-319-2015
  23. Kopelevich, O.V., Vazyulya, S.V., Sheberstov, S.V. and Bukanova, T.V., 2016. Suspended Matter in the Surface Layer of the Southeastern Baltic from Satellite Data. Oceanology, 56(1), pp. 46-54. https://doi.org/10.1134/S0001437016010069
  24. Lisitzin, A.P., Klyuvitkin, A.A., Burenkov, V.I., Kravchishina, M.D., Politova, N.V., Novigatsky, A.N., Shevchenko, V.P. and Klyuvitkina, T.S., 2016. Distribution and Composition of Suspended Particulate Matter in the Atlantic Ocean: Direct Measurements and Satellite Data. Doklady Earth Sciences, 466(1), pp. 78-81. https://doi.org/10.1134/S1028334X16010116
  25. Kushnir, V.M., 2009. Characteristics of the Azov Sea Near Surface Layer Derived from the Optical Scanners of the MODIS System. Issledovanie Zemli iz kosmosa, (3), pp. 35-46 (in Russian).
  26. Kushnir, V.M. and Berdnikov, S.V., 2010. Weighed Substance and Chlorophyll_a in the Sea of Azov According to Contact Measurements and Space Surveys. Ecological Safety of Coastal and Shelf Zones and Comprehensive Use of Shelf Resources, 22, pp. 103-115 (in Russian).
  27. Kushnir, V.M., Povazhny, V.V. and Berdnikov, S.V., 2014. Mineral and Organic Components of Suspension Derived from Space Surveys and Direct Measurements in the Azov Sea and the Kerch Strait. Morskoy Gidrofizicheskiy Zhurnal, (2), pp. 22-31(in Russian).
  28. Matishov, G.G., Shulga, T.Ya., Khartiyev, S.M. and Ioshpa, A.R., 2018. Studies of Particulate Matter Distribution by Aqua Modis Data and Simulation Results. Doklady Earth Sciences, 481(1), pp. 967-971. https://doi.org/10.1134/S1028334X18070267
  29. Kochergin, V.S., Kochergin, S.V. and Stanichny, S.V., 2020. Variational Assimilation of Satellite Data on Surface Concentration of Suspended Matter in the Azov Sea. Sovremennye Problemy Distantsionnogo Zondirovaniya Zemli iz Kosmosa, 17(2), pp. 40-48. https://doi.org/10.21046/2070-7401-2020-17-2-40-48 (in Russian).
  30. Churilova, T.Ya., Efimova, T.V., Moiseeva, N.A. and Skorokhod, E.Yu., 2022. Spectral Light Absorption Coefficient of Particles and Colored Dissolved Organic Matter in the Sea of Azov. Fundamental and Applied Hydrophysics, 15(3), pp. 73-83. https://doi.org/10.48612/fpg/ex1p-9vtp-phu8 (in Russian).
  31. Shul’ga, T.Ya. and Suslin, V.V., 2018. Investigation of the Evolution of the Suspended Solids in the Sea of Azov Based on the Assimilation of Satellite Data in a Hydrodynamic Model. Fundamentalnaya i Prikladnaya Gidrofizika, 11(3), pp. 73-80. https://doi.org/10.7868/S2073667318030097 (in Russian).
  32. Kremenchutskiy, D.A., Kubryakov, A.A., Zav’yalov, P.O., Konovalov, B.V., Stanichniy, S.V. and Aleskerova, A.A., 2014. Determination of the Suspended Matter Concentration in the Black Sea Using to the Satellite MODIS Data. Ecological Safety of Coastal and Shelf Zones and Comprehensive Use of Shelf Resources, 29, pp. 5-9 (in Russian).
  33. Lishaev, P.N., Aleskerova, A.A., Kubryakov, A.A., Vasilenko, N.V. and Stanichny, S.V., 2022. Spatiotemporal Variability of Cyanobacteria Blooms from Their MODIS-Based Automatic Identification. Izvestiya, Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics, 58(9), pp. 981-992. https://doi.org/10.1134/S0001433822090134

Files

Full text

JATS XML

We use Yandex Metrics. Read more.

Мы используем Яндекс Метрику. Подробнее.