Validation of the Total Suspended Matter (TSM) algorithm using in situ datasets over the Bay of Bengal Coastal Water

Abstract TSM (Total suspended matter) is important metric because it influences ocean biogeochemistry and seaweed habitat. Light penetration is influenced by the TSM range, which is linked to primary producer photosynthesis. Many regional and global approaches for measuring various ocean parameters using satellite remote sensing have been developed. The authors developed the linear TSM algorithm in 2022 using in situ data from the Arabian Sea, which has been validated in this work utilising in situ sampling along the Bay of Bengal coast to test its resilience. The algorithm has the remote sensing reflectance band ratio Rrs681/Rrs490 that has been validated against in situ TSM (R2 = 0.88, MAD = 12.28, RMSE = 12.45, NRMSE = 11.60) and satellite validation with OLCI-A (Ocean and Land Colour Instrument-A). OLCI A TSM product discovered poor regression with in situ datasets, suggesting that the algorithm in OLCI A might be modified. The article infers that the validated TSM algorithm in the Bay of Bengal could be useful for different satellite-based synoptic TSM mapping for the Indian Oceansat-3 OCM (Ocean Colour Monitor) mission as TSM could benefit seaweeds and biogeochemistry by improving nutrient flow, trophic interactions, shielding against UV radiation, and adding organic carbon pool.