Variability of remote sensing reflectance and implications for optical remote sensing - a study along the Eastern and Northeastern waters of Arabian Sea

Abstract

Situated in the eastern and northeastern regions and subjected to similar oceanic processes, the inshore waters north of 20°N and east of 65°E are more optically complex than the offshore waters and waters south of 20°N and east of 65°E. This has been observed through the analysis of variations of the remote sensing reflectance (R_rs(λ)) in the optical spectrum of Electromagnetic radiation. The optical complexity has further been studied through the examination of optically active substances (OAS) such as chlorophyll_a, suspended sediment and coloured dissolved organic matter (CDOM). It is found that CDOM is the significant component in making the area optically non-linear. For the first time multi-spatial/temporal band-ratio algorithms are developed to map OAS from these waters through Ocean Colour Monitor flown on IRS – P4 satellite.