GUANDU RIVER SEDIMENT PLUME SPACE-TIME VARIABILITY CHARACTERIZATION ON SEPETIBA BAY – RIO DE JANEIRO, SE BRAZIL

Sepetiba Bay (Rio de Janeiro, SE Brazil) is a crucial coastal environment, rich in biodiversity, green areas, and socio-economic importance for local communities and the country. It receives sediment from small rivers and artificial channels, forming a "river plume" that influences its biogeochemical processes. This study analyses 20 years of MODIS-Terra remote sensing data, using a semi-analytical algorithm to estimate surface sediment concentrations. Results reveal a spatially and temporally varied plume pattern, with higher sediment concentrations in spring and summer than in autumn and winter. The plume’s variation aligns with riverine inflow patterns noted in previous studies. Future research should focus on improving remote sensing algorithm accuracy and detecting plume changes to better understand land cover impacts within the bay’s drainage basins.