Home > Explore News > New Publication Evaluates Chlorophyll-a Algorithms in the Chesapeake Bay

New Publication Evaluates Chlorophyll-a Algorithms in the Chesapeake Bay

Published on: 08/19/2022
Region(s) of Study: Waterbodies / Chesapeake Bay
Primary Contact(s): timothy.wynne@noaa.gov

Map of the study area showing each monitoring station from the Chesapeake Bay Program used in this study.

A new scientific paper describes methods for evaluating the efficacy of five satellite-based Chlorophyll-a algorithms in Chesapeake Bay, spanning three separate sensors: Ocean Land Color Imager (OLCI), Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS), and MODerate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). The algorithms were compared using in situ Chlorophyll-a measurements from 38 separate stations, provided through the Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP).

The RE10 algorithm outperformed the four different OCx algorithms in all metrics. The algorithm performed reliably throughout the three regions of the bay: the low salinity upper bay, the mesohaline middle bay, and polyhaline lower bay. The algorithm also performed reliably in wet, dry, and normal years.

As a result, it is recommended that the RE10 algorithm be applied to OLCI and provided as an operational product through NOAA’s CoastWatch program. Reliable chlorophyll concentrations can be used for aquaculture site selection, and remotely sensed data have been used for site selection for shellfish and finfish abroad as well as in Chesapeake Bay. Furthermore, blooms of potentially toxic harmful algae that can be detrimental to aquaculture can be detected and monitored with remotely sensed data.

Citation: Wynne, T.T., Tomlinson, M.C., Briggs, T.O., Mishra, S., Meredith, A., Vogel, R.L., and Stumpf, R.P. 2022. Evaluating the Efficacy of Five Chlorophyll-a Algorithms in Chesapeake Bay (USA) for Operational Monitoring and Assessment. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse10081104

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