18 Field Radiometry and Ocean Color Remote Sensing
329
18.9 Closing Note
Since the 1920s marine optical radiometry progressed in conjunction with advances
in measurement technology and absolute calibration methods. Fundamental steps in
quantitative in-situ marine optical radiometry were the definition of the basic design
of spectral radiometers in the 1950s and the availability of accurate spectral irradiance standards in the 1960s and 1970s. From the 1980s, the previous incremental
progress was followed by exceptional developments driven by the major accuracy
requirements set for in-situ optical radiometry supporting satellite missions for the
global mapping of marine biomass.
This work has briefly summarized the status of in-situ marine optical radiometry through a synopsis of measurement means, calibration techniques, analysis
methods, uncertainty estimates and products applications, as consolidated during 3
decades of satellite ocean color investigations. It is recognized that the space available for this overview has made impossible to further address such a complex and
extended matter. It is however expected that the comprehensive list of references
accompanying the work can help any interested reader to identify additional and
specific sources of information.
Acknowledgments Acknowledgments are due to the European Commission (EC), the European
Space Agency (ESA), the Office of Naval Research (ONR) and the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA), which through EC Framework Programs, the ESA Envisat Program,
the ONR Ocean Optics Program and the NASA Biogeochemistry Program, supported the recent
research and developments in marine radiometry presented in this chapter. Finally, a sincere appreciation is expressed to all those scientists who put their efforts in progressing in marine optical
radiometry.
References
Aas E (1969) On submarine irradiance measurements. Technical Report 6, Institute of Physical
Oceanography, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
Aas E, Højerslev NK (1999) Analysis of underwater radiance observations: apparent optical
properties and analytic functions describing the angular radiance distribution. J Geophys Res
104:8015–8024
Aas E, Korsbø B (1997) Self-shading effect by radiance meters on upward radiance observed in
coastal waters. Limnol Oceanogr 42:968–974
Antoine D, Guevel P, Desté JF, Bécu G, Louis F, Scott AJ, Bardey P (2008a) The “BOUSSOLE”
Buoy – A new transparent-to-swell taut mooring dedicated to marine optics: design, tests, and
performance at sea. J Atmos Oceanic Technol 25:968–989
Antoine D, D’Ortenzio F, Hooker SB, Bécu G, Gentili B, Tailliez D, Scott AJ (2008b) Assessment
of uncertainty in the ocean reflectance determined by three satellite ocean color sensors
(MERIS, SeaWiFS and MODIS-A) at an offshore site in the Mediterranean Sea (BOUSSOLE
project). J Geophys Res 113:C07013, doi:10.1029/2007JC004472
Atkins WRG, Poole HH (1933) The photo-electric measurement of the penetration of light of
various wavelengths into the sea and the physiological bearing of results. Phil Trans Roy Soc
Lon (B) 222:129–164
Austin RW (1974) The remote sensing of spectral radiance from below the ocean surface. In: Jerlov
NG, Nielsen ES (eds.) Optical aspects of oceanography, Academic Press, New York
329
18.9 Closing Note
Since the 1920s marine optical radiometry progressed in conjunction with advances
in measurement technology and absolute calibration methods. Fundamental steps in
quantitative in-situ marine optical radiometry were the definition of the basic design
of spectral radiometers in the 1950s and the availability of accurate spectral irradiance standards in the 1960s and 1970s. From the 1980s, the previous incremental
progress was followed by exceptional developments driven by the major accuracy
requirements set for in-situ optical radiometry supporting satellite missions for the
global mapping of marine biomass.
This work has briefly summarized the status of in-situ marine optical radiometry through a synopsis of measurement means, calibration techniques, analysis
methods, uncertainty estimates and products applications, as consolidated during 3
decades of satellite ocean color investigations. It is recognized that the space available for this overview has made impossible to further address such a complex and
extended matter. It is however expected that the comprehensive list of references
accompanying the work can help any interested reader to identify additional and
specific sources of information.
Acknowledgments Acknowledgments are due to the European Commission (EC), the European
Space Agency (ESA), the Office of Naval Research (ONR) and the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA), which through EC Framework Programs, the ESA Envisat Program,
the ONR Ocean Optics Program and the NASA Biogeochemistry Program, supported the recent
research and developments in marine radiometry presented in this chapter. Finally, a sincere appreciation is expressed to all those scientists who put their efforts in progressing in marine optical
radiometry.
References
Aas E (1969) On submarine irradiance measurements. Technical Report 6, Institute of Physical
Oceanography, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
Aas E, Højerslev NK (1999) Analysis of underwater radiance observations: apparent optical
properties and analytic functions describing the angular radiance distribution. J Geophys Res
104:8015–8024
Aas E, Korsbø B (1997) Self-shading effect by radiance meters on upward radiance observed in
coastal waters. Limnol Oceanogr 42:968–974
Antoine D, Guevel P, Desté JF, Bécu G, Louis F, Scott AJ, Bardey P (2008a) The “BOUSSOLE”
Buoy – A new transparent-to-swell taut mooring dedicated to marine optics: design, tests, and
performance at sea. J Atmos Oceanic Technol 25:968–989
Antoine D, D’Ortenzio F, Hooker SB, Bécu G, Gentili B, Tailliez D, Scott AJ (2008b) Assessment
of uncertainty in the ocean reflectance determined by three satellite ocean color sensors
(MERIS, SeaWiFS and MODIS-A) at an offshore site in the Mediterranean Sea (BOUSSOLE
project). J Geophys Res 113:C07013, doi:10.1029/2007JC004472
Atkins WRG, Poole HH (1933) The photo-electric measurement of the penetration of light of
various wavelengths into the sea and the physiological bearing of results. Phil Trans Roy Soc
Lon (B) 222:129–164
Austin RW (1974) The remote sensing of spectral radiance from below the ocean surface. In: Jerlov
NG, Nielsen ES (eds.) Optical aspects of oceanography, Academic Press, New York