title: Developing Benthic Class Specific, Chlorophyll-a Retrieving Algorithms for Optically-Shallow Water Using SeaWiFS.
abstract: This study evaluated the ability to improve Sea-Viewing Wide Field-of-View Sensor (SeaWiFS)chl-aretrieval from optically shallow coastal waters by applying algorithms specific to the pixels' benthic class. The form of the Ocean Color (OC) algorithm was assumed for this study. The operational atmospheric correction producing Level 2 SeaWiFS data was retained since the focus of this study was on establishing the benefit from the alternative specification of the bio-optical algorithm. Benthic class was determined through satellite image-based classification methods. Accuracy of thechl-aalgorithms evaluated was determined through comparison with coincident in situ measurements ofchl-a. The regionally-tuned models that were allowed to vary by benthic class produced more accurate estimates ofchl-athan the single, unified regionally-tuned model. Mean absolute percent difference was approximately 70% for the regionally-tuned, benthic class-specific algorithms. Evaluation of the residuals indicated the potential for further improvement tochl-aestimation through finer characterization of benthic environments. Atmospheric correction procedures specialized to coastal environments were recognized as areas for future improvement as these procedures would improve both classification and algorithm tuning.
authors: Department of Earth and Environment, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA. tblak006@fiu.edu.
authors: Tara
authors: T
authors: Blakey
authors: Department of Earth and Environment, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA. melessea@fiu.edu.
authors: Assefa
authors: A
authors: Melesse
authors: Department of Earth and Environment, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA. sukopm@fiu.edu.
authors: Michael C
authors: MC
authors: Sukop
authors: GIT Consulting, Coral Gables, FL 33134, USA. georgio.tachiev@gmail.com.
authors: Georgio
authors: G
authors: Tachiev
authors: Department of Earth and Environment, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA. whitmand@fiu.edu.
authors: Dean
authors: D
authors: Whitman
authors: Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA. fwilhelm@umd.edu.
authors: Fernando
authors: F
authors: Miralles-Wilhelm
keywords: SeaWiFS; algorithms; bottom reflectance; chl-a; eutrophication; modeling; ocean color remote sensing; optically shallow; validation; water quality