Observational Date: 2003/02/06
Initial trials of GLI ocean products
These figures show the first GLI ocean-science products acquired off the west coast of North America on 6 February 2003.
GLI observes multi-spectral radiances from the Earth to the satellite (see A). An ocean atmospheric correction algorithm (provided by Drs. Fukushima and Frouin) estimates aerosol optical properties (B) using the near-infrared radiances, and produces water color and solar irradiance (C) on the sea surface using the aerosol optical properties and sun direction. Using the ocean color, in-water algorithm (provided by Dr. Mitchell) estimates biological valuables, e.g. chlorophyll-a concentration (E).
On the other hand, the GLI thermal infrared data provides sea-surface temperature (F) (algorithm provided by Dr. Kawamura), which is one of the most important parameters for weather and climate changes. By combining these products and the ocean biological model, we can estimate the primary productivity of ocean phytoplankton (produced by Dr. Asanuma).
The GLI ocean-science group has began validating and improving the products by comparing them ground observations. The group will thus contribute to more precise understanding and prediction of air-sea interactive material and energy cycles relevant to global change, such as global warming, using the GLI ocean products.