Improved monitoring of bio-optical processes in coastal and inland waters using high spatial resolution channels on SNPP-VIIRS sensor

Abstract

The dynamic and small-scale spatial variability of bio-optical processes that occurs in coastal regions and inland waters requires high resolution satellite ocean color feature detection. The Visual Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) currently utilizes five ocean color M-bands (410,443,486,551,671 nm) and two atmospheric correction M-bands in the near infrared (NIR; 745,862 nm) to produce ocean color products at a resolution of 750-m. VIIRS also has several high resolution (375-m) Imaging (I)-bands, including two bands centered at 640 nm and 865 nm. In this study, a spatially improved ocean color product is demonstrated by combining the 750-meter (M- channels) with the 375-m (I1-channel) to produce an image at a pseudo-resolution of 375-m. The new approach applies a dynamic wavelength-specific spatial ratio that is weighted as a function of the relationship between proximate I- and M-band variance at each pixel. This technique reduces sharpening artifacts by incorporating the native variability of the M-bands. In addition, this work examines the viability of replacing the M7-band (862 nm) with the I2-band (865 nm) to determine the atmospheric correction and aerosol optical depth at a higher resolution. These true (I-band) and pseudo (M-band) high resolution radiance values can subsequently be utilized as input parameters into various algorithms to yield high resolution optical products. The results show new capability for the VIIRS sensor for monitoring bio-optical processes in coastal waters.