A Chlorophyll Algorithm for the U.S. East Coast for Application to Ocean Color Imagery
Timothy
S.
Moore, University of New Hampshire, timothy.moore@unh.edu
Janet
W.
Campbell, University of New Hampshire, janet.campbell@unh.edu
(Presenting)
Mimi
Szeto, University of New Hampshire, szeto.mimi@gmail.com
The NASA SeaWiFS algorithm, OC4v4, for deriving chlorophyll a concentration is based on an empirical relationship between the ratio of upwelling light in the blue spectrum to the green spectrum. This algorithm is intended as a global relationship, and was formed from in situ measurements from around the world's oceans (figure 1a). It is a stated objective of NASA to reduce the uncertainties to under 35% for chlorophyll algorithms for its ocean color satellites.
Recent statistical analysis of OC4v4 shows that regional algorithms confined to oceanic basins could improve the precision in those regions. This study applies a 4th order polynomial fit to a subset of the global data set taken from the western North Atlantic Ocean. The new algorithm, OC4-NA, is applied to SeaWiFS satellite imagery and compared with the global algorithm. Using an independent data set from the Gulf of Maine, relative error is reduced for the new algorithm compared to the global relationship.
NASA Carbon Cycle & Ecosystems Active Awards Represented by this Poster: