Comparison of chlorophyll a concentration values retrieved from MODIS-Aqua spectroradiometer with the results of measurements in the coastal waters of the Black Sea near Sevastopol

Abstract

The results of the comparison of the values of the standard satellite product “Chlorophyll a Concentration” recovered from MODIS-Aqua satellite with the results of field measurements in the coastal waters of the Black Sea near Sevastopol from 2009 to 2019 as a part of regular bio-optical monitoring have been presented. Differences between seasons in the nature of the error of the standard satellite product “Chlorophyll a Concentration” using the standard NASA algorithm were established: in spring, a significant underestimation of the values of the standard satellite product “Chlorophyll a Concentration” (up to 2.1 times) at high chlorophyll a concentrations was noted according to the results of the full-scale measurements, and in summer a significant overestimation of the values (up to 3.8 times) at low concentrations was noted. Throughout the year, depending on the season, the error in determining the standard satellite product “Chlorophyll a Concentration” on average varied from ±24 % to ±51 %. To increase the accuracy of determining the chlorophyll a concentration with remote sensing, it is necessary to use a regional approach.