Abstract
Whitecaps are evident in ocean color imagery, but are currently removed as part of the atmospheric correction techniques. Whitecaps enhance the backscattering of light from the ocean surface and appear “white” or having spectrally flat reflectance in the visible wavelengths (400–700 nm). However, measurements shows that the whitecap spectral reflectance is not flat in the near infrared and short wave infrared and contains dips and peaks related to liquid water absorption that are related to the intensity of the whitecap signal. This signal can be potentially used to assess whitecaps from satellites. However, the first step in such an algorithm will be to differentiate whitecaps from other constituents that also serve to elevate spectral reflectance. Here, we describe the spectral properties of constituents found at or above the sea surface including whitecaps, ocean plastics, sea ice and clouds which may appear white to the human eye, but have unique spectral signatures that can be used to quantitatively differentiate them using optimized sensors with the appropriate wavebands. The aim is to develop sensors and approaches that can be used to accurately identify whitecaps and these other constituents, improve the atmospheric correction process, and develop new products from ocean color imagery.
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Acknowledgments
We acknowledge the intellectual contributions of Dr. Edward Monahan broadly to the field of whitecaps and the many fruitful discussions and interactions with him over the years. Funding was provided by NASA Ocean Biology and Biogeochemistry through the PACE project (NNX15AC32G) and Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) – Projektnummer 417276871.
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Dierssen, H.M., Garaba, S.P. (2020). Bright Oceans: Spectral Differentiation of Whitecaps, Sea Ice, Plastics, and Other Flotsam. In: Vlahos, P., Monahan, E. (eds) Recent Advances in the Study of Oceanic Whitecaps. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-36371-0_13
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-36371-0_13
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