Monitoring Sedimentation Dynamics Through SBAS-InSAR for Sustainable Management

Abstract

Sedimentation is a critical geomorphological process that influences the sustainability of river systems, reservoirs, floodplains, and coastal environments. Accelerated sediment deposition driven by natural processes and human activities can lead to reduced storage capacity, increased flood risk, and degradation of ecosystems and infrastructure. Effective monitoring of sedimentation dynamics is therefore essential for sustainable environmental management. This study investigates the potential of the Small Baseline Subset Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (SBAS-InSAR) technique to monitor sedimentation dynamics through the analysis of surface deformation.
Multi-temporal Synthetic Aperture Radar data were processed using the SBAS-InSAR approach to generate deformation velocity maps, cumulative displacement patterns, and deformation time series for the study area. The results reveal spatially coherent subsidence patterns concentrated in sediment-rich environments such as river floodplains, reservoir margins, and depositional zones. Temporal analysis indicates predominantly gradual and sustained deformation, with variations linked to hydrological conditions and sediment supply. These deformation trends are interpreted as indicators of sediment loading and consolidation processes.
The findings demonstrate that SBAS-InSAR provides reliable indirect information on sedimentation dynamics over large spatial extents and long time periods. By integrating remote sensing-derived deformation data with environmental context, this approach offers valuable support for sediment risk identification, resource planning, and sustainable management. The study highlights the potential of SBAS-InSAR as a complementary tool to conventional sediment monitoring methods, particularly in data-scarce regions and under changing climatic conditions.