Modeling the remote-sensing reflectance of highly turbid waters.

In ocean-color remote sensing, subsurface remote-sensing reflectance (r r s ) of optically deep waters can be linked to its absorption (a) and backscattering coefficients (b b ) by various models. The use of such models allows for quick calculations r r s from such coefficients, eliminating the need to solve the radiative transfer equation. In particular, r r s can be expressed as a function of bb/(a+bb). HydroLight and Monte Carlo simulations showed that commonly used models underestimate r r s in waters with high suspended sediment loads. Monte Carlo simulations confirmed that this issue is due to a sharp increase in multiple scattering events at high turbidity levels. A quartic polynomial model is derived relating r r s and inherent optical properties (IOPs) for waters of any turbidity, to avoid significant errors in waters of high turbidity.