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The size and distribution of Phytoplankton populations are indicators of the ecological status of a water body. The chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentration is estimated as a proxy for the distribution of phytoplankton biomass. Remote sensing is the only practical method for the synoptic assessment of Chl-a at large spatial and temporal scales. Long-term records of ocean color data from the MODIS Aqua Sensor have proven inadequate to assess Chl-a due to the lack of a robust ocean color algorithm. Chl-a estimation in shallow and coastal water bodies has been a challenge and existing operational algorithms are only suitable for deeper water bodies. In this study, the Ocean Color 3M (OC3M) derived Chl-a concentrations were compared with observed data to assess the performance of the OC3M algorithm. Subsequently, a regression analysis between in situ Chl-a and remote sensing reflectance was performed to obtain a green-red band algorithm for coastal (case 2) water. The OC3M algorithm yielded an accurate estimate of Chl-a for deep ocean (case 1) water (RMSE = 0.007, r2 = 0.518, p < 0.001), but failed to perform well in the coastal (case 2) water of Chesapeake Bay (RMSE = 23.217, r2 = 0.009, p = 0.356). The algorithm developed in this study predicted Chl-a more accurately in Chesapeake Bay (RMSE = 4.924, r2 = 0.444, p < 0.001) than the OC3M algorithm. The study indicates a maximum band ratio formulation using green and red bands could improve the satellite estimation of Chl-a in coastal waters.
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Satellite detection of dinoflagellate blooms off California by UV reflectance ratios
As harmful algae blooms are increasing in frequency and magnitude, one goal of a new generation of higher spectral resolution satellite missions is to improve the potential of satellite optical data to monitor these events. A satellite-based algorithm proposed over two decades ago was used for the first time to monitor the extent and temporal evolution of a massive bloom of the dinoflagellate Lingulodinium polyedra off Southern California during April and May 2020. The algorithm uses ultraviolet (UV) data that have only recently become available from the single ocean color sensor on the Japanese GCOM-C satellite. Dinoflagellates contain high concentrations of mycosporine-like amino acids and release colored dissolved organic matter, both of which absorb strongly in the UV part of the spectrum. Ratios <1 of remote sensing reflectance of the UV band at 380 nm to that of the blue band at 443 nm were used as an indicator of the dinoflagellate bloom. The satellite data indicated that an observed, long, and narrow nearshore band of elevated chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentrations, extending from northern Baja to Santa Monica Bay, was dominated by L. polyedra. In other high Chl-a regions, the ratios were >1, consistent with historical observations showing a sharp transition from dinoflagellate- to diatom-dominated waters in these areas. UV bands are thus potentially useful in the remote sensing of phytoplankton blooms but are currently available only from a single ocean color sensor. As several new satellites such as the NASA Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, and marine Ecosystem mission will include UV bands, new algorithms using these bands are needed to enable better monitoring of blooms, especially potentially harmful algal blooms, across large spatiotemporal scales.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1637632
- PAR ID:
- 10331719
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Elementa: Science of the Anthropocene
- Volume:
- 9
- Issue:
- 1
- ISSN:
- 2325-1026
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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- Free Publicly Accessible Full Text
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Accepted Manuscript1.0
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.1525/elementa.2020.00157
