Publications

Son, SeungHyun; Wang, Menghua (2015). Diffuse attenuation coefficient of the photosynthetically available radiation K-d(PAR) for global open ocean and coastal waters. REMOTE SENSING OF ENVIRONMENT, 159, 250-258.

Abstract
Satellite-based observations of the diffuse attenuation coefficient for the downwelling spectral irradiance at the wavelength of 490 nm, K-d(490) and the diffuse attenuation coefficient for the downwelling photosynthetically available radiation (PAR), K-d(PAR) in the ocean can play important roles for ocean-atmospheric circulation, biogeochemical, and ecosystem models. Since existing K-d(PAR) models for the satellite ocean color data have wide regional variations, we need to improve the K-d(PAR) algorithm for global ocean applications. In this study, we propose a new blended K-d(PAR) model for both open oceans and turbid coastal waters. The new method has been assessed using in situ optical measurements from the NASA Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) Bio-Optical Archive and Storage System (SeaBASS) database. Next, the new method is applied to the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) to derive Kd(PAR) products, and is compared with in situ measureinents. Results show that there are significant improvements in model-derived K-d(PAR) values using the new approach compared to those from some existing K-d(PAR) algorithms. In addition, matchup comparisons between MODIS-derived and in situ-measured K-d(PAR) data for the global ocean show a good agreement with mean and median ratios of 1.109 and 1.035, respectively. Synoptic maps of MODIS- and VIIRS-derived Kd(PAR) data generated using the new method provide very similar and consistent spatial patterns in the U.S. East Coast region, although there are some slight differences between two satellite-derived K-d(PAR) images (similar to 1-5% higher in VIIRS K-d(PAR) compared with those from MODIS-Aqua in the shallow water region), which are possibly due to differences in spectral bands and sensor performance (e.g., calibrations). Monthly maps of VIIRS-derived K-d(PAR) data for the global ocean are also generated using the new Kd(PAR) model, and provide spatial and temporal K-d(PAR) distributions that show consistent results with those from previous studies. Thus, results show that satellite-derived K-d(PAR) data using the new K-d(PAR) model, e.g., from MODIS and VIIRS, can provide more accurate K-d(PAR) data to science communities, in particular, as an important input for ocean-atmospheric circulation, biogeochemical, and ecosystem models. Published by Elsevier Inc.

DOI:
10.1016/j.rse.2014.12.011

ISSN:
0034-4257