Mapping marine and fluvial salt crusts in estuaries collecting acid water using hyperspectral Hyperion imagery (Marshes of the river Odiel, Huelva)

Abstract

Temporal monitoring of salt efflorescence on the marshes at the mouth of the river Odiel (Huelva) is made using hyperspectral archive Hyperion data. Climate variability estimations are made based on well-known spectral features related to vegetation and shallow water, using archive spectral libraries. The observations point to spectral and geomorphological indicators which can be monitored through image processing supported by field and laboratory spectral data, on a repeatable basis. Mapping a larger sequence of images under different climate regime and wider tidal range, would improve the estimation of spectral features to ensure a routine monitoring of salt crusts with hyperspectral data.