CALIFORNIA CURRENT CHLOROPHYLL MEASUREMENTS FROM SATELLITE DATA

Abstract

A new procedure for rapid quantitative measurement of chlorophyll-like pigment concentrations from data collected by the Coastal Zone Color Scanner on board the Nimbus-7 spacecraft has been implemented. Removal of atmospheric effects revealed ocean features not apparent in the original imagery. Comparison of chlorophyll estimates derived from independent shipboard and satellite data collected concurrently yielded a correlation coefficient of r = 0.92. Satellite chlorophyll images (1260 km on a side) showed a high degree of heterogeneity in the chlorophyll distribution patterns, at all scales. New, recurrent chlorophyll features in the California Current were detected. Comparison of two images collected one month apart showed important changes, both inshore and offshore. Extensive, long-term programs like the California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations may largely benefit from the synopticity and repetitive coverage of meaningful satellite observations.