Mapping the low salinity Changjiang Diluted Water using satellite‐retrieved colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) in the East China Sea during high river flow season

Abstract

Absorption coefficients of colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) [ag(λ)] were measured and relationship with salinity was derived in the East China Sea (ECS) during summer when amount of the Changjiang River discharge is large. Low salinity Changjiang Diluted Water (CDW) was observed widely in the shelf region and was considered to be the main origin of CDOM, resulting in a strong relationship between salinity and ag(λ). Error of satellite ag(λ) estimated by the present ocean color algorithm could be corrected by satellite‐retrieved chlorophyll data. Satellite‐retrieved salinity could be predicted with about ±1.0 accuracy from satellite ag(λ) and the relation between salinity and ag(λ). Our study suggests that satellite‐derived ag(λ) can be an indicator of the low salinity CDW during summer.