An overview of approaches and challenges for retrieving marine inherent optical properties from ocean color remote sensing. (January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Werdell, P. Jeremy; McKinna, Lachlan I.W.; Boss, Emmanuel; Ackleson, Steven G.; Craig, Susanne E.; Gregg, Watson W.; Lee, Zhongping; Maritorena, Stéphane; Roesler, Collin S.; Rousseaux, Cécile S.; Stramski, Dariusz; Sullivan, James M.; Twardowski, Michael S.; Tzortziou, Maria; Zhang, Xiaodong
• Is Part Of: Progress in oceanography. Volume 160(2018)
• Page Start: 186
• Page End: 212
• Publication Date: 2018-01
• Subjects: Ocean color -- Satellite remote sensing -- Bio-optics -- Inherent optical properties; AC atmospheric correction -- ANN artificial neural network -- AOP apparent optical property -- BRDF bidirection reflectance distribution function -- Ca chlorophyll-a -- CDOM colored dissolved organic matter -- CORAL COral Reef Airborne Laboratory -- DLR German Aerospace Center -- DOC dissolved organic matter -- EnMAP Environmental Mapping and Analysis Program -- EOF empirical orthogonal function -- ESA European Space Agency -- GEO geostationary Earth orbit -- GSD ground sampling distance -- GOCI Geostationary Ocean Color Imager -- IOCCG International Ocean Colour Coordinating Group -- IOPs Inherent Optical Properties -- ISRO Indian Space Research Organisation -- JAXA Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency -- KIOST Korean Institute of Ocean Science and Technology -- LEO low Earth orbit -- LUT look-up-table -- MAAs mycosporine-like amino acids -- MASCOT Multi Angle Scattering Optical Tool -- MERIS Medium Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer -- MLR multiple linear regression -- MODISA Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer aboard the Aqua spacecraft -- MODIST Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer aboard the Terra spacecraft -- MSI MultiSpectral Instrument -- MVSM Multispectral Volume Scattering Meter -- NAP non-algal particles -- NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration -- NIR near-infrared -- NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration -- OCI Ocean Color Instrument -- OCM Ocean Color Monitor -- OCTS Ocean Color Temperature Scanner -- OLCI Ocean and Land Colour Instrument -- OLI Operational Land Imager -- PACE Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean, Ecosystem mission -- PC principal component -- PCA principal component analysis -- PCR principal component regression -- RT radiative transfer -- QSSA quasi single scattering approximation -- S salinity -- SAAs semi-analytical inversion algorithms -- SeaWiFS Sea-viewing Wide-Field-of-view Sensor -- SGLI Second-generation Global Imager -- SSS sea surface salinity -- SST sea surface temperature -- T temperature -- USGS United States Geological Survey -- UV ultraviolet -- VIIRS Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite -- VIS visible -- VSF volume scattering function -- VSWIR Visible ShortWave InfraRed sensor; Oceanography -- Periodicals; 551.4605
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pocean.2018.01.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0079-6611

Abstract

Highlights: Ocean color algorithms for obtaining marine inherent optical properties are reviewed. Known uncertainties associated with each approach and knowledge gaps are discussed. Common performance metrics used to evaluate the satellite retrievals are provided. Recommendations for future investment for upcoming satellite missions are presented. Abstract: Ocean color measured from satellites provides daily global, synoptic views of spectral water-leaving reflectances that can be used to generate estimates of marine inherent optical properties (IOPs). These reflectances, namely the ratio of spectral upwelled radiances to spectral downwelled irradiances, describe the light exiting a water mass that defines its color. IOPs are the spectral absorption and scattering characteristics of ocean water and its dissolved and particulate constituents. Because of their dependence on the concentration and composition of marine constituents, IOPs can be used to describe the contents of the upper ocean mixed layer. This information is critical to further our scientific understanding of biogeochemical oceanic processes, such as organic carbon production and export, phytoplankton dynamics, and responses to climatic disturbances. Given their importance, the international ocean color community has invested significant effort in improving the quality of satellite-derived IOP products, both regionally and globally. Recognizing the current influx of data products into the community and the need to improve current algorithms in anticipation of new satellite instruments (e.g., the global, hyperspectral spectroradiometer of the NASA Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) mission), we present a synopsis of the current state of the art in the retrieval of these core optical properties. Contemporary approaches for obtaining IOPs from satellite ocean color are reviewed and, for clarity, separated based their inversion methodology or the type of IOPs sought. Summaries of known uncertainties associated with each approach are provided, as well as common performance metrics used to evaluate them. We discuss current knowledge gaps and make recommendations for future investment for upcoming missions whose instrument characteristics diverge sufficiently from heritage and existing sensors to warrant reassessing current approaches.