A multi-channel atmospheric correction algorithm for remote sensing of coastal waters

In order to make reliable estimates of chlorophyll concentrations and suspended matter in the ocean, accurate retrievals of water leaving reflectances are required. The present operational atmospheric correction algorithms work reasonably well over clear ocean areas but gives incorrect results over brighter coastal waters. This is mainly due to the fact that the turbid waters are not dark for the two atmospheric correction channels centered near 0.75 and 0.86 mum. Operational ocean products have not yet been derived over turbid waters and shallow waters with bottom reflection from remotely sensed data, such as the SeaWiFS and MODIS data. We have developed a multi-channel atmospheric correction algorithm for remote sensing of coastal waters. In this algorithm, aerosol models and optical depths are determined by a spectrum-matching technique utilizing channels located at wavelengths longer than 0.86 mum where the ocean surface is dark. Here we describe briefly the algorithm and present sample results.