Radiative Transfer Modeling With Biogeochemical-Argo Float Data in the Mediterranean Sea

Area of Science:

• Oceanography
• Remote Sensing
• Biogeochemistry

Background:

• Accurate radiative transfer models are crucial for understanding ocean optics and remote sensing.
• Existing models often rely on simplified assumptions (Case 1 waters) that may not capture regional complexities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To parameterize and validate a radiative transfer model using in situ data from the Mediterranean Sea.
• To improve the spectral accuracy of optical models by incorporating regional parameterizations of water constituents.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Biogeochemical Argo float data (2012-2017) for model parameterization.
• Incorporated fluorescence-derived chlorophyll, particulate backscattering, and CDOM fluorescence.
• Validated the model against in situ irradiance profiles and satellite-derived optical properties.

Main Results:

• Regional parameterizations improved spectral response accuracy compared to Case 1 models.
• Including CDOM fluorescence and particulate backscattering enhanced model skill across wavelengths.
• Multi-spectral analysis enabled estimation of individual water constituent contributions.

Conclusions:

• The developed model offers a more accurate spectral representation of Mediterranean waters.
• Accounting for non-algal particles and CDOM significantly improves model performance.
• This approach enhances the accuracy of ocean color remote sensing and constituent analysis.