Oceanic Optics and Remote Sensing

Chlorophyll, a pigment present in phytoplankton, absorbs blue and red light, resulting in the characteristic blue-green color of the ocean.

The Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) is a sensor onboard NOAA satellites that provides measurements of ocean surface temperature, among other parameters.

Scattering is the process by which light is redirected in different directions due to interactions with particles in the ocean, such as phytoplankton, suspended sediment, and dissolved organic matter.

Active remote sensing involves transmitting energy (e.g., radar pulses or laser beams) and measuring the reflected or scattered signal to obtain information about the target.

Ocean color remote sensing is primarily used to estimate phytoplankton biomass and productivity, which are crucial for understanding marine ecosystems and carbon cycling.

The Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) is a satellite sensor dedicated to measuring ocean color and providing data on phytoplankton biomass and distribution.

Absorption is the process by which light energy is taken up by water molecules, resulting in the conversion of light energy into heat energy.

Multispectral remote sensing involves capturing data in multiple spectral bands, allowing for the identification and discrimination of different features based on their spectral signatures.

Sea surface temperature remote sensing is primarily used to measure the temperature of the ocean's surface, which is crucial for understanding ocean circulation patterns and climate dynamics.

Landsat satellites carry sensors that are capable of measuring the elevation of the seafloor, providing data for mapping seafloor topography and bathymetry.

Reflection is the process by which light is bounced off the surface of the ocean, resulting in the mirror-like appearance of the ocean surface under certain conditions.

Hyperspectral remote sensing involves capturing data in a large number of contiguous spectral bands, providing very detailed spectral information about the target.

Satellite altimetry is primarily used to measure the height of the sea surface, which is crucial for studying ocean circulation patterns, sea level rise, and tides.

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensors are commonly used for detecting oil spills due to their ability to penetrate clouds and image the ocean surface under all weather conditions.