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MODIS water quality algorithms for northwest Florida estuaries
Citation:
DUFFY, A., B. A. SCHAEFFER, J. R. AUKAMP, G. G. CRAVEN, D. F. YATES, AND R. N. CONMY. MODIS water quality algorithms for northwest Florida estuaries. Presented at Mattie M. Kelly Environmental Symposium, Nicevill, FL, April 27, 2012.
Impact/Purpose:
Develop MODIS algorithms suitable for providing measures of water quality in Pensacola Bay, Choctawatchee Bay, St Andrew Bay, and St Joseph Bay
Description:
Synoptic and frequent monitoring of water quality parameters from satellite is useful for determining the health of aquatic ecosystems and development of effective management strategies. Northwest Florida estuaries are classified as optically-complex, or waters influenced by chlorophyll-a, colored dissolved organic matter, suspended solids, and bottom reflectance. The standard Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite algorithms were developed for open-ocean applications and do not transfer to these optically complex water bodies. The objective of this report was to develop algorithms suitable for providing measures of water quality in Pensacola Bay, Choctawhatchee Bay, St. Andrew Bay, and St. Joseph Bay. First, algorithms were established using above-water measures from a hyperspectral surface acquisition system (HyperSAS). These algorithms were then tested using atmospherically corrected measures from MODIS. The HyperSAS provided derived measures of remote sensing reflectance [Rrs()0+], and were integrated to match the relative spectral response of MODIS. Algorithms were calibrated and validated with discrete surface water samples from the estuaries, which included chlorophyll-a, total suspended solids, and total light attenuation.