Seasonal bias in global ocean color observations

• DOI: 10.1364/ao.426137
• Publication Date: 2021-07-12T18:30:09Z
• Authors: K. M. Bisson; E. Boss; P. J. Werdell; A. Ibrahim; R. Frouin; M. J. Behrenfeld
• Keywords: Ocean color; Atmospheric optics

In this study, we identify a seasonal bias in the ocean color satellite-derived remote sensing reflectances ( <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"> <mml:mrow class="MJX-TeXAtom-ORD"> <mml:msub> <mml:mi mathvariant="normal">R</mml:mi> </mml:mrow> mathvariant="normal">r</mml:mi> mathvariant="normal">s</mml:mi> </mml:msub> <mml:mo stretchy="false">(</mml:mo> <mml:mi>λ</mml:mi> stretchy="false">)</mml:mo> <mml:mo>;</mml:mo> <mml:mspace width="thickmathspace"/> <mml:msup> <mml:mo>−</mml:mo> <mml:mn>1</mml:mn> </mml:msup> </mml:math> ) at validation site, Marine Optical BuoY. The is present to varying degrees all satellites examined, including Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite, Sea-Viewing Wide Field-of-View Sensor, and Moderate Resolution Spectrometer. relative has spectral dependence. Products derived from are affected by degrees, with particulate backscattering up 50% over year, chlorophyll 25% absorption phytoplankton or dissolved material 15%. propagation of into products broadly confirmed on regional global scales using Argo floats data cloud-aerosol lidar orthogonal polarization instrument aboard infrared pathfinder satellite. artifactual seasonality prominent areas low biomass (i.e., subtropical gyres) not easily discerned high biomass. While have eliminated several candidates that could cause biases , there still outstanding questions regarding potential contributions atmospheric corrections. Specifically, provide evidence aquatic bidirectional reflectance distribution function may part observed bias, but does preclude an additional effect aerosol estimation. Our investigation highlights correction schemes can make introducing recommend more simulations discern these influence biases. Community efforts needed find root because past, present, future are, will be, until solution implemented.