Remote sensing of salinity in the San Francisco Bay Delta

Landsat multispectral scanner data and color and color infrared photographs acquired from a U-2 aircraft are combined with surface measurements for salinity mapping of the San Fransisco Bay Delta. A regression model is developed between the surface truth data and Landsat digital data for 29 sample sites, and is then extended over the entire study area. Results are in general agreement with reported salinity distribution values. It appears to be impossible to establish any quantitative judgement regarding the salinity values by visual interpretation of the imagery within the test site.