Development of bio-optical algorithm for ocean color remote sensing in the sub-Arctic North Pacific Ocean

Abstract

Sub-Arctic North Pacific Ocean is one of the highest biological productivity regions in the world. The quantitative assessment of phytoplankton production in this region is very important to estimate global primary production. Primary objective of this study is to validate and to develop bio-optical algorithm for new series ocean color sensors, such as Ocean Color and Temperature Scanner(OCTS) on ADEOS and Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) on SeaSTAR in the sub-Arctic North Pacific Ocean. We measured bio-optical parameters, which include upwelled spectral radiance, downwelled spectral irradiance, phytoplankton pigments (fluorometric technique), and general oceanographic parameters. Selected study areas were (1)155° E meridional transect, (2)180° meridional transect, (3)Gulf of Alaska, (4)eastern Bering Sea, and (5)southwest area of St. Lawrence Is. in 1995 and 1996. By using data sets gathered by field observation, we examined two kinds of bio-optical algorithms, Coastal Zone Color Scanner (CZCS)-type algorithm and OCTS-type algorithm which were generated by two visible bands and three visible bands respectively. As a result, OCTS-type algorithm has relatively good regression comparison with CZCS-type algorithm.