An algorithm for remote sensing of water color from space

The ocean color algorithm proposed in this paper takes into account the effects of Rayleigh and aerosol scattering. The inherent reflectance and the diffuse transmittance of the Rayleigh atmosphere are expressed as functions of optical thickness and satellite measurement geometry with the aid of simple and accurate formulas. In the case of a turbid atmosphere, from which the aerosol optical thickness is unknown, the aerosol contribution is estimated with the aid of a measurement in a channel where the ocean is a blackbody (in the red or near infrared). If the relationship between the ocean color and the chlorophyll-like pigment concentration is assumed to be known at sea level, it is shown that the chlorophyll-like pigment concentration at an open ocean site can be determined from space to within a factor of 1.5 to 3 (uncertainty equal to 0.2 to 0.5 log interval), depending on the atmospheric turbidity.