Effects of Raman scattering and CDOM fluorescence to the multi-band Quasi-Analytical Algorithm (QAA)

A multiband Quasi-Analytical Algorithm (QAA) was proposed by Lee et al. in 2002. It can be used to quickly retrieve the total absorption coefficients, particle back scattering coefficients, and absorption coefficients of phytoplankton pigment and colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) etc for optically deep water. Effects of inelastic scattering, e.g., Raman scattering and CDOM fluorescence, were not taken into account. Contribution of Raman scattering for clear ocean waters, and effect of CDOM fluorescence for high CDOM concentration waters, however, were not neglectable, so their effects were simulated using the Hydrolight numerical simulation technique. It is found that contributions of Raman scattering to remote sensing reflectance are mainly between 400 nm and 500 nm, and are ~9% to 25%; effects of CDOM fluorescence are mainly between 400 nm and 550 nm, and about 1% to 15%; however, effects of Raman scattering and CDOM fluorescence to the inversion QAA algorithm are not significant (less than 5%), and may not to be corrected during inversion