In — Water Algorithms

Abstract

Before embarking on a detailed discussion of the various in—water algorithms, a preliminary discussion of the ocean constituents which can influence the color of the water is useful. Considering the rich assortment of absorbing and/or scattering agents which are present in sea water (Figure 2), there is virtually no hope that the concentration of all of the individual constituents can be remotely estimated with precision. In fact, it is not clear that even the relative concentrations of the various algal color groups can be estimated through accurate measurement of R(λ) at the sea surface. Experience has shown that the particulate matter found in the open ocean in large enough concentrations to produce observable optical effects are principally living algal cells (phytoplankton) and their associated detrital material (mainly particulate, but also dissolved). These may also be present in coastal and/or shallow areas along with (inorganic) sediments resulting from land drainage, (more or less mineralized) sediments from the bottom which are resuspended by the action of waves and tides, and organic (natural or anthropogenic) sediments.