Variability in measured and modelled remote sensing reflectance for coastal waters at LEO - 15

A large database of in SiLU bio-optical measurements were collected at the LEO-IS (Long-tcrm Ecosystem Observatory) off the southern coast of New Jersey, USA. The data were used to quantify the impact of coastal upwelling on near-shore bulk apparent (AOP) and inherent (lOP) optical properties, There was good qualitative agrecment between the AOPs and lOPs in space and time. The measured lOPs were used as inputs to the Hydrolight radiative transfer model (RTE!. Estimated s()l.'Ctral AOPs from the RTE were strongly correlated (gencrally R >0.80) to measured AOPs. If optical closure between in-water measurements was achieved then the RTE was used to construct the spectral remote sensing reflectance. The modelled remote sensing reflectanccs were compared to satellite-dcri\'ed reflectance estimates from four different algo­ rithms. Quantitative agreement between the satellite-measured and in-l,\,ater modelled remote sensing reflectance was good but results ...."Cre \ ariable between the different models. The strength of the correlation and spectral consistency was variable with space and time. Correlations WCTC strongest in dear offshore watcrs and lo....est in the near-shore turbid waters. In the near-shoTC waters, the correlation was strongest for blue wavelengths (4QO.-5S5nm) but lo....cr for the red wl\velengths of light.