Performance of the MODIS FLH algorithm in estuarine waters: a multi-year (2003–2010) analysis from Tampa Bay, Florida (USA)

Abstract

Although satellite technology promises great usefulness for the consistent monitoring of chlorophyll-α concentration in estuarine and coastal waters, the complex optical properties commonly found in these types of waters seriously challenge the application of this technology. Blue–green ratio algorithms are susceptible to interference from water constituents, different from phytoplankton, which dominate the remote-sensing signal. Alternatively, modelling and laboratory studies have not shown a decisive position on the use of near-infrared (NIR) algorithms based on the sun-induced chlorophyll fluorescence signal. In an analysis of a multi-year (2003–2010) in situ monitoring data set from Tampa Bay, Florida (USA), as a case, this study assesses the relationship between the fluorescence line height (FLH) product from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) and chlorophyll-α.

Acknowledgements

We express our great appreciation to the Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County (EPCHC) for sharing Tampa Bay water quality data and particularly to Dr Rick Garrity, Mr Richard Boler, and Mr Joe Barron from EPCHC for their assistance. MODIS data collection and processing was made possible through the efforts of MODAPS services at the NASA GSFC. We also acknowledge the SeaDAS Development group at NASA GSFC for the use of the SeaDAS software to process the MODIS imagery. This research was partially funded by SERVIR/MSFC through the NASA Postdoctoral Program under contract with Oak Ridge Associated Universities. We would also like to express our gratitude to Dr Doug Rickman from NASA/MSFC along with unknown reviewers for examining the manuscript and providing valuable input.