Particle Size Distribution Slope Changes along the Yellow River Delta Observed from Sentinel 3A/B OLCI Images

Quantitative estimates of particle size in estuaries and shelf areas are important to understand ocean ecology and biogeochemistry. Particle size can be characterized qualitatively from satellite observations of ocean color. As a typical marginal sea, the Yellow River Delta (YRD) with the Bohai Sea experiences a complex hydrodynamic environment. Here, we attempt to quantify the particle size distribution (PSD) slope (ξ) based on its relationship with the particle backscattering exponent from Sentinel-3A/B OLCI. The PSD slope, ξ displays temporal and spatial variability in the YRD with the Bohai Sea. Its value varies between 3 and 4, and typically exceeds 5 in offshore areas. The lowest value of ξ occurs in the winter, indicating the presence of fine inorganic particles in the water, while high values are attained in the spring, when phytoplankton blooms increase the particle size. ξ decreases near the river mouth because of the large sediment-laden discharge debouching into the sea. We detected a slight increase in ξ when turbid waters were present in the period 2016–2022. Environmental factors, such as sea surface temperature, sea surface wave height, and wind, may control particle size and ξ in the long term. Inorganic suspended particle matter is derived along the YRD using the magnitude of ξ. The mean inorganic suspended particle matter area in winter approaches 23,900 km2 when ξ < 4.6. This study thoroughly characterizes variations in ξ in the YRD with the Bohai Sea and clarifies the contributions of driving factors from human activities and climate change.