304
H.R. Gordon
17.9 The Future
For classical ocean color remote sensing, i.e., utilizing sensors with a small number of spectral bands, there are still difficulties with atmospheric correction in the
presence of absorbing aerosols (Gordon, 1997), which fortunately contaminate only
a small fraction of the imagery. The difficulties associated with these aerosols are
that (1) they cannot be identified using spectral bands in the NIR, (2) their effect in
the visible depends strongly on their vertical distribution, and (3) their perturbation
on L t increases as λ decreases, so their effect is large where phytoplankton absorb
light. I believe that dealing with absorbing aerosols for sensors of this type requires
using coupled ocean-atmosphere algorithms such as those proposed by Moulin et al.
(2001) or Chomko et al. (2003). They are also easily modified to operate in Case 2
waters (Kuchinke et al., 2009).
Beyond the classical instruments lies the promise of sensors with high spectral
resolution. It has already been demonstrated that with such sensors separation of
the total phytoplankton population into functional groups is possible (Bracher et al.,
2008), even without what is traditionally though of as “atmospheric correction.”
17.10 Some Closing Remarks
There are many people who have contributed to the success of ocean color remote
sensing “behind the scenes” with little recognition. Early in the CZCS mission,
Jack Sherman and Harold Yates at NOAA/NESS were strong supporters. Bob
Kirk saw the SeaWiFS instrument to completion as project manager. Stan Wilson
at NASA/HQ wisely instituted a temporary (2-year) rotating position at HQ to
oversee ocean color activities and shepherd its development. To those who interrupted their own research to serve in this position: Ken Carder, Wayne Esaias, Curt
Davis, Jim Yoder, Frank Muller-Karger, Marlon Lewis, Gregg Mitchell, Robert
Frouin, Janet Campbell, John Marra, and Chuck Trees; we all owe a debt of
gratitude. The position was finally made permanent and is now filled by Paula
Bontempi.
Ackowledgments I am grateful for the research support received over the years from NASA,
NOAA, and ONR. Also, I thank the organizers of this conference and of the three other
“Oceanography from Space” conferences, in which I have participated, for providing us the
opportunity to discuss ocean remote sensing in such a beautiful and historic city.
References
André JM, Morel A (1989) Simulated effects of barometric pressure and ozone content upon the
estimate of marine phytoplankton from space. J Geophys Res 94:1029–1037
Austin RW (1992) Optical remote sensing of the oceans: BC (before CZCS) and AC (after CZCS).
In: Barale V, Schlittenhardt PM (eds.) Ocean Colour: Theory and Applications in a Decade of
CZCS Experience, Kluwer Academic, Dordrecht, pp. 1–15
H.R. Gordon
17.9 The Future
For classical ocean color remote sensing, i.e., utilizing sensors with a small number of spectral bands, there are still difficulties with atmospheric correction in the
presence of absorbing aerosols (Gordon, 1997), which fortunately contaminate only
a small fraction of the imagery. The difficulties associated with these aerosols are
that (1) they cannot be identified using spectral bands in the NIR, (2) their effect in
the visible depends strongly on their vertical distribution, and (3) their perturbation
on L t increases as λ decreases, so their effect is large where phytoplankton absorb
light. I believe that dealing with absorbing aerosols for sensors of this type requires
using coupled ocean-atmosphere algorithms such as those proposed by Moulin et al.
(2001) or Chomko et al. (2003). They are also easily modified to operate in Case 2
waters (Kuchinke et al., 2009).
Beyond the classical instruments lies the promise of sensors with high spectral
resolution. It has already been demonstrated that with such sensors separation of
the total phytoplankton population into functional groups is possible (Bracher et al.,
2008), even without what is traditionally though of as “atmospheric correction.”
17.10 Some Closing Remarks
There are many people who have contributed to the success of ocean color remote
sensing “behind the scenes” with little recognition. Early in the CZCS mission,
Jack Sherman and Harold Yates at NOAA/NESS were strong supporters. Bob
Kirk saw the SeaWiFS instrument to completion as project manager. Stan Wilson
at NASA/HQ wisely instituted a temporary (2-year) rotating position at HQ to
oversee ocean color activities and shepherd its development. To those who interrupted their own research to serve in this position: Ken Carder, Wayne Esaias, Curt
Davis, Jim Yoder, Frank Muller-Karger, Marlon Lewis, Gregg Mitchell, Robert
Frouin, Janet Campbell, John Marra, and Chuck Trees; we all owe a debt of
gratitude. The position was finally made permanent and is now filled by Paula
Bontempi.
Ackowledgments I am grateful for the research support received over the years from NASA,
NOAA, and ONR. Also, I thank the organizers of this conference and of the three other
“Oceanography from Space” conferences, in which I have participated, for providing us the
opportunity to discuss ocean remote sensing in such a beautiful and historic city.
References
André JM, Morel A (1989) Simulated effects of barometric pressure and ozone content upon the
estimate of marine phytoplankton from space. J Geophys Res 94:1029–1037
Austin RW (1992) Optical remote sensing of the oceans: BC (before CZCS) and AC (after CZCS).
In: Barale V, Schlittenhardt PM (eds.) Ocean Colour: Theory and Applications in a Decade of
CZCS Experience, Kluwer Academic, Dordrecht, pp. 1–15