Application of Gaussian model for the estimation of vertical chlorophyll-a in inner bay using satellite data

Abstract

An objective of this research is to evaluate the feasibility of the Gaussian distribution model's application for the vertical Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) estimation in inner bay by the satellite remote sensing. The in-situ Chl-a (N=15) observed as data for a basic Gaussian model verification in Hiroshima Bay between 2004 and 2005 was used. Consequently, the vertical Chl-a in the bay is to approximate by the Gaussian model using six parameters. However, if the equation for the estimation of Gaussian model parameter is not adjusted every time, the vertical Chl-a estimation only from surface Chl-a data obtained from the satellite data is difficult. The most difficult Gaussian model parameter to estimate from the surface Chl-a was Cmax (Chl-a maximum) and Z_max (the depth of the Chl-a maximum).