Reply on RC1

Lines 96-102: The goal of the proposed algorithm is to produce a sensitive and consistent (unbiased) cloud mask over the entire IASI lifespan using as a reference dataset the version 6.5 (v6.5) of the operational IASI L2 cloud product (August et al., 2012). The latter shows a clear improvement over the previous version (v6.4) when compared to the cloud products from the Cloud-Aerosol LIdar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP) onboard the Cloud-Aerosol LiDAR and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO, Winker et al., 2007), as reported in the CALIOP-CALIPSO IASI Level 2 geophysical products monitoring reports available at https://www.eumetsat.int/iasi-level-2-geophysical-products-monitoring-reports (accessed online on August 10, 2022). The retrieval method presented here is based on a supervised NN relying on the IASI radiance spectra only, […].

In general, the description is a bit too long. There is a lot of discussion about the spatial and temporal variations in sediment concentration, with observations made regarding discrepancies from expected patterns. However, the reasons attributed to the discrepancies are presented more as reasonable conjectures rather than confirmed facts. It might very well be the case that there is not enough data to make anything more than a reasonable conjecture, and that is understandable. In this case, it would be helpful to tighten up the discussion, focusing on what is important. Do the results indicate anything new or surprising? If not, focus on the main inferences that might be of value to regional environmental managers and decision makers, and shorten the discussion.

Reply:
Thank you for your further comment and suggestion to tighten up the discussion.
As this study presents the application of ocean colour remote sensing technologies in studying large spatial and long-term temporal changes of TSS within Sarawak's coastal areas, new observations were uncovered in how TSS distribution varies (spatially and temporally) within this region across large spatial extent since the year 2003. These observations were not available previously due to limited spatial and field coverage by conventional field campaigns. As such, we would like to highlight new observations that have been gathered from our study:

Study on potential TSS hotspots revealed that Lupar and Rajang coastal areas have received sustained levels of TSS input over a period of 17 years. A spatial map of the TSS coefficient of variation (CV) showed that large TSS variability was identified within the Samunsan-Sematan coastal areas (CV > 90%), which could potentially impact nearby coral reefs and socio-economic activities in this region. While it is generally understood that monsoonal influence is one of the main drivers of TSS changes, this study presents spatial maps of large coverage which exhibited substantial differences in TSS plumes between northeast (wet) and southwest (dry) monsoon periods within these coastal areas. Our temporal maps of TSS anomalies with respect to long-term TSS mean enable detection and study of TSS distribution changes annually, which provide visualization insights into the potential effects of extreme rainfall events in intensifying TSS release into coastal and open ocean waters.
These new observations, coupled with the study on river discharge influence and TSS variability across coastal waters, present important findings to relevant authorities and regional environmental managers in enhancing coastal management and conservation strategies.
While this study presents the first observation of TSS distributions in Sarawak coastal regions, it is agreed that there is room for refinement to further tighten up the discussion. As such, changes have been made and are as follows: In Section 3.2, a paragraph from Line 414-417 has been removed and added into Section 2.0 Methodologies section, under Section 2.5 "Precipitation data and computation of river discharge", as the paragraph outlines how the precipitation data was retrieved. Hence, it is more fitting to be included under the methodologies section. Paragraphs from line 437-445 in Section 3.2 has been trimmed off to strengthen the focus on the discussions of flood and drought events in driving TSS distribution. Discussions from lines 472-490 are important observations which may have been overshadowed by the previous discussions in Section 3.2. As such, these discussions (Line 472-490) have been inserted into a new sub-section -in "Section 3.2.1 Temporal TSS anomalies", to further highlight these observations in a new extension. In Section 3.4, paragraphs from lines 599-609 have been removed as these may carry redundancy to the Conclusion section.
In Section 4.0 Conclusion, the line starting from 696-700 has been edited to as follows: "Overall, these coastal areas of Sarawak are dominantly categorized as Class I quality, which remains within local quality standards to support various marine and socio-economic activities in this region. Our findings in the southwest coastal areas (Sematan and Stamin-Sampadi) showed that the coral reefs there can be well-maintained with negligible impacts from TSS loadings.", to highlight these important observations which may be of value to regional environmental managers, authorities, and decision-makers.