Correlation of chlorophyll concentrations and suspended solids with near-surface upward irradiance within LANDSAT bands 4, 5 and 6

Near-surface upward irradiances within each band of the MSS (multi spectral scanner) of LANDSAT, were computed from observed spectral upward irradiances measured just beneath the sea surface. Computation of these irradiances is a useful first step in the analysis of remotely-sensed radiance because the data are not affected by the effects of the atmosphere and sea surface. The computed irradianceE in LANDSAT bands 4, 5 and 6 was normalized by forming ratios,i.e., R ₄₅=E₄/E₅, R₄₆=E₄/E₆, andR ₅₆=E₅/E₆, and then the relationship between these ratios and chlorophylla plus phaeopigment concentration (C) observed simultaneously at 59 stations was examined by linear regression analysis. The observedC ranged over nearly three orders of magnitude, and there is a close to linear relationship between log₁₀-R ₄₅ and log₁₀ C. This suggests that it may be possible to evaluateC from LANDSAT data, if an appropriate atmospheric correction is made. The relationship between suspended solids determined at 35 stations and the same ratios of upward irradiance is also presented and discussed.