VOL. 5. Ocean Optics Protocols for SeaWiFS Validation.
Citation:
Mueller, J.L., and R.W. Austin, 1992: Ocean Optics Protocols. NASA Tech. Memo.
104566, Vol. 5, S.B. Hooker and E.R. Firestone, Eds., NASA Goddard Space Flight
Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, 43 pp.
This report presents protocols for measuring optical properties, and other
environmental variables, to validate the radiometric performance of the
Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS), and to develop and validate
bio-optical algorithms for use with SeaWiFS data. The protocols are intended to
establish foundations for a measurement strategy to verify the challenging
SeaWiFS accuracy goals of 5% in water-leaving radiances and 35% in chlorophyll a
concentration. The protocols first specify the variables which must be measured,
and briefly review rationale. Subsequent chapters cover detailed protocols for
instrument performance specifications, characterizing and calibrating
instruments, methods of making measurements in the field, and methods of data
analysis. These protocols were developed at a workshop sponsored by the SeaWiFS
Project Ofice (SPO) and held at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey,
California (9--12 April, 1991). This report is the proceedings of that workshop,
as interpreted and expanded by the authors and reviewed by workshop participants
and other members of the bio-optical research community. The protocols are a
first prescription to approach unprecedented measurement accuracies implied by
the SeaWiFS goals, and research and development are needed to improve the
state-of-the-art in specific areas. The protocols should be periodically revised
to reflect technical advances during the SeaWiFS Project cycle.
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