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Underwater Light Field and Primary Production: Application to Remote Sensing

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Ocean Colour: Theory and Applications in a Decade of CZCS Experience

Part of the book series: Eurocourses: Remote Sensing ((EURS,volume 3))

Abstract

Satellite-based ocean colour sensors can be used to estimate the global distribution of primary production. A general approach is presented, which consists of the development of a local algorithm to compute the photosynthetic rate by phytoplankton, and the application of this local result to estimate the integrated primary production at larger scales. Based on the well known relationship between light and photosynthesis, the local model uses spectral computation of the irradiance field at the ocean surface, and in situ observations of photosynthetic parameters. From satellite data and parametrisation of a generalised profile, the local structure of the vertical pigment profile is retrieved allowing then the computation of the submarine light field as a function of depth, wavelength and zenith angle. Finally, perspectives and applications of the model are discussed in parallel with some recent advances in scientific disciplines related to primary production.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oceanography, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4J1, Canada

    S. Sathyendranath

  2. Biological Oceanography Division, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, P.O. Box 1006, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, B2Y 4A2, Canada

    T. Platt

Authors
  1. S. Sathyendranath
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  2. T. Platt
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Commission of the European Communities, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Remote Sensing Applications, Ispra, Italy

    Vittorio Barale  & Peter M. Schlittenhardt  & 

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© 1993 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

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Sathyendranath, S., Platt, T. (1993). Underwater Light Field and Primary Production: Application to Remote Sensing. In: Barale, V., Schlittenhardt, P.M. (eds) Ocean Colour: Theory and Applications in a Decade of CZCS Experience. Eurocourses: Remote Sensing, vol 3. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-1791-3_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-1791-3_4

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-4788-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-1791-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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