A model for estimating spectral properties of water from RGB images

This paper presents an underwater image formation model incorporating scatter and spectral absorption curves of pure water and three other particle classes; phytoplankton, non-algal particles and colored dissolved organic matter. We also describe an algorithm allowing to derive these depth dependent curves from a sequence of RGB images of a known target. Underwater images generated using the model closely resemble the experimental ones acquired in a variety of conditions. Similarly, the estimated absorption curves, and relative particle concentrations agree with common sense expectations.