Assessing and Improving the Accuracy of Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite Ocean Color Products in Environments with High Solar Zenith Angles

Abstract

Utilizing in situ measurement data to assess satellite-derived long-term ocean color products under different observational conditions is crucial for ensuring data quality and integrity. In this study, we conducted an extensive evaluation and analysis of Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) remote sensing reflectance (Rrs) products using long-term OC-CCI in situ data from 2012 to 2021. Our research findings indicate that, well beyond its designed operational lifespan, the root mean square difference accuracy of VIIRS Rrs products across most spectral bands remains superior to 0.002 (sr−1). However, VIIRS Rrs products in shorter wavelength bands (e.g., at 412 nm) have exhibited significantly lower accuracy and a long-term bias in recent years. The annual precision of VIIRS Rrs products demonstrated a declining trend, particularly in coastal or eutrophic waters. This degradation in accuracy highlights the imperative for continuous monitoring of VIIRS performance and further advancements in the atmospheric correction algorithm, especially to address satellite records at high solar zenith angles (SZAs) and observation zenith angles (OZAs). Our analysis indicates that, in observation environments with high SZAs (greater than 70°), the accuracy of VIIRS Rrs products has declined by nearly 50% compared to typical solar zenith angle observation conditions. To address the challenge of declining accuracy under large observation geometries, we introduced the neural network atmospheric correction model (NN-V). Developed based on meticulously curated VIIRS products, the NN-V model exhibits outstanding performance in handling VIIRS data in conditions of extensive observation geometries. During the winter season in high-latitude marine regions, the NN-V model demonstrates a remarkable enhancement in ocean color product coverage, achieving an increase of nearly 20 times compared to traditional methods.