Monitoring of turbid coastal and inland waters by airborne imaging spectrometer AISA

Reliable monitoring of the pelagic ecosystem has proved to be problematic because of its high temporal and spatial heterogeneity. Processes like algal blooms or pollution discharges are patchy, both temporally and spatially. Consequently, they often remain unobserved using the traditional sampling methods based on temporally sparse sampling at a few fixed stations. Furthermore, the traditional programs are usually unable to rapidly report of exceptional events. Monitoring of water quality could be more effective if satellite or airborne remote sensing is used. New optical satellite sensors with high spectral resolution have recently been launched and more sensors will be available in the near future. Empirical algorithms, like spectral ratios, are widely used in the interpretation of remote sensing data. However, these algorithms seem to have local and seasonal variability and different algorithms are needed for coastal and inland waters.