Long-Term Variability on Suspended Particulate Matter Loads From the Tributaries of the World’s Largest Choked Lagoon

Continental freshwater contributions are the main long-term control on variability of suspended particulate matter (SPM) concentrations in choked lagoons. The current work aims to assess seasonal interdecadal SPM from Patos Lagoon tributaries, as a case study towards understanding tributaries coastal Thus, an dataset (1984–2020) was collected region (southern Brazil), integrating Landsat series (653 scenes) and situ measurements. were estimated scenes using semi-analytical multiwavelength algorithm, applied regions lower course tributaries. Results identified scales, enhanced by El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) interannual time also influencing trends. concentration reached 50 g.m –3 each tributary. Higher values occurred winter spring, during periods frequently reaching annual means higher than 100 . Periods summer autumn, however, presented concentrations, especially La Niña periods, when mean remained mostly below Seasonal forcings combined developed configurations high input (HIP) low (LIP). During LIP, river plumes limited their tributary zone influence whole lagoon has reduced concentrations. HIP, spread over sub-environments, all reach estuarine ocean. mentioned natural phenomena spreading, lagoon, export Atlantic Ocean scales varying interdecadal.