Strategic partnership for improved basin-scale water quality parameter retrieval from optical Signatures - WaterS

As the inland and near-coastal waters are under the strongest anthropogenic impact there is need for a better way to monitor their ecological status. European network FP7 project WaterS focuses on creating conditions for strategic dynamic partnerships in the form of long-term cooperation between three research groups and three enterprises with unique complementary expertise and tools. The research objectives are: 1) Improve the interpretation of optical signals from remote sensing platforms for the optically complex Nordic waters through bio-optical modeling of characterized variability in optical properties. 2) Innovation in development of spectral instruments to perform state-of-the-art measurements optimized for aquatic environments. 3) Improved understanding of optically complex waters by means of classification and typification for mapping water bodies by optical signature. 4) Using EO capacities, water quality retrieval algorithms and GIS systems develop of novel product for lake water quality and ecological assessment.