Satellite Oceam Color Remote Sensing

Abstract

Past and near-future satellite ocean color sensors, processing algorithms and related issues are reviewed. First, the paper excerpts the principle of ocean color remote sensing, showing the significance of satellite-derived pigment map in relation to fisheries application.
After describing basic specification and function of Nimbus-7/CZCS which had been collecting useful data from late 1978 to mid 1986, the paper introduces the widely-used Gordon's atmospheric correction scheme. Problems in applying it to some portion of Japanese CZCS data set are identified.
Thirdly, near-future satellite sensors, SeaWiFS (to be launched in August, 1993) and OCTS (to be launched in early 1995) are described in terms of technical specifications and functional enhancement compared to CZCS.
The paper also lists out systematic requirements for operational use of SeaWiFS data in Japan.