Bio-optical variability in multiple water masses across a tropical shelf: Implications for ocean colour remote sensing models

Abstract Development and implementation of region specific ocean colour remote sensing models in the tropical Kimberley Marine Region (KMR) is limited due to lack bio-optical knowledge from this remote ecosystem. To address this knowledge gap and to offer bio-optical parametrisation for ocean colour models, we analysed a bio-optical dataset collected during April–May 2010. Results from our bio-optical analysis shows, (1) the presence of multiple water masses as generated by regional oceanographic processes, (2) biogeochemical properties of particulate and dissolved substances to change between different water masses, (3) bio-optical properties to vary between the observed water masses and finally (4) comparison of bio-optical properties showed the limitations in the extrapolation of optical models from other regions. To improve the validity and accuracy of ocean colour remote sensing models used, the bio-optical parametrisation presented in this study for different water masses should be used in the KMR.