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Volume 18
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10.3390/w18192426
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Systematic Review

Monitoring of Suspended Sediment Concentration by Alternative Methods: Scientific and Technological Trends and Application Challenges

by
Rhavel Salviano Dias Paulista
1,
Daniela Castagna
1,
Luzinete Scaunichi Barbosa
1,
Daniela Roberta Borella
2,3,
Frederico Terra de Almeida
3,4 and
Adilson Pacheco de Souza
1,3,5,*
1
Postgraduate Program in Environmental Physics, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Cuiabá 78060-900, MT, Brazil
2
Department of Environmental Sciences, Forestry Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro,Seropédica 23897-045, RJ, Brazil
3
Postgraduate Program in Environmental Sciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Sinop 78550-720, MT, Brazil
4
Institute of Agrarian and Environmental Sciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Sinop 78557-287, MT, Brazil
5
Department of Soil Science and Rural Engineering, Faculty of Agronomy and Animal Science, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Cuiabá 78060-900, MT, Brazil
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Water 2026, 18(19), 2426; https://doi.org/10.3390/w18192426
Submission received: 17 August 2026 / Revised: 15 September 2026 / Accepted: 24 September 2026 / Published: 29 September 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Technologies for Hydrological Forecasting and Modeling)
Versions Notes

Abstract

This study presents an integrative review of the methods used to estimate and monitor suspended sediment concentration (SSC), an important parameter for understanding erosive processes, river dynamics, reservoir lifespan, and water quality. The search in the Scopus, Web of Science, and SciELO databases covered studies published between 1992 and 2025. Of the 452 records identified, 269 were considered eligible after removing duplicates. The studies were grouped into traditional methods, optical, acoustic, remote sensing, optical–acoustic integrations, uncommon methods, and parallel measurements. Traditional methods predominated (95 studies), followed by remote sensing (84), optical (40), and acoustic (17). Traditional methods are reliable but require high logistical effort and have low temporal resolution. Optical sensors allow continuous monitoring, although they require local calibration. Acoustic methods better represent the vertical and transversal distribution of SSC but are sensitive to particle characteristics. Remote sensing expands spatial and temporal coverage but depends on image resolution and atmospheric conditions. Therefore, it is concluded that no method is universally superior, and the choice should consider the objective, environment, scale, and acceptable uncertainty. Traditional methods remain relevant as they serve as a reference for the others.
Keywords: hydrosedimentological monitoring; hydrosedimentology; turbidity; SSC; ADCP; remote sensing; acoustic methods; water quality hydrosedimentological monitoring; hydrosedimentology; turbidity; SSC; ADCP; remote sensing; acoustic methods; water quality

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MDPI and ACS Style

Paulista, R.S.D.; Castagna, D.; Barbosa, L.S.; Borella, D.R.; Almeida, F.T.d.; Souza, A.P.d. Monitoring of Suspended Sediment Concentration by Alternative Methods: Scientific and Technological Trends and Application Challenges. Water 2026, 18, 2426. https://doi.org/10.3390/w18192426

AMA Style

Paulista RSD, Castagna D, Barbosa LS, Borella DR, Almeida FTd, Souza APd. Monitoring of Suspended Sediment Concentration by Alternative Methods: Scientific and Technological Trends and Application Challenges. Water. 2026; 18(19):2426. https://doi.org/10.3390/w18192426

Chicago/Turabian Style

Paulista, Rhavel Salviano Dias, Daniela Castagna, Luzinete Scaunichi Barbosa, Daniela Roberta Borella, Frederico Terra de Almeida, and Adilson Pacheco de Souza. 2026. "Monitoring of Suspended Sediment Concentration by Alternative Methods: Scientific and Technological Trends and Application Challenges" Water 18, no. 19: 2426. https://doi.org/10.3390/w18192426

APA Style

Paulista, R. S. D., Castagna, D., Barbosa, L. S., Borella, D. R., Almeida, F. T. d., & Souza, A. P. d. (2026). Monitoring of Suspended Sediment Concentration by Alternative Methods: Scientific and Technological Trends and Application Challenges. Water, 18(19), 2426. https://doi.org/10.3390/w18192426

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