Inverse problems in the atmosphere–ocean system: estimation of aerosol characteristics and phytoplankton distribution

Abstract

This work attempts to provide a better atmospheric correction for space-based data obtained with second-generation ocean color sensors, e.g., ADEOS (Advanced Earth Observing Satellite)/OCTS (Ocean Color and Temperature Scanner) and POLDER (Polarization and Directionality of Earth Reflectance). Before atmospheric correction, it is necessary to estimate the optical properties of atmospheric aerosols, and then phytoplankton pigment concentration near the sea surface is obtained after atmospheric correction. In other words, this paper deals with the inverse problem of determining such physical quantities as aerosols and phytoplankton using indirect space-based measurements. Our algorithm is based on an estimation of unknown parameters in the scattering systems observed remotely by satellite.