Remote Sensing of Inherent Optical Properties: Fundamentals, Tests of Algorithms, and Applications.

Abstract

Variations in inherent optical properties (IOPs), i.e., the scattering and absorption characteristics of water and its constituents (the dissolved and suspended material) are clear indications of changes in water mass or water constituents. Significant progress has been achieved on remote sensing algorithms for IOPs and applications of IOPs in oceanographic studies. This report emphasizes the importance of IOPs in ocean optics and in ocean-colour remote sensing and reviews the characteristics of various algorithms commonly used in remote sensing practices to assess their performance when applied to synthetic and in situ data sets.