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belcolour project
NEAR REAL TIME DATA
IMAGE GALLERIES
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Project methodology
The project tasks are structured in work packages focused on:
Coordination
Objective
to stimulate progress in all workpackages, ensure flow of information, data and ideas between partners and with end-users and to represent the project externally.
Work
meetings, reports and external representation
Theory
Objective
to provide the theoretical basis for new algorithms to improve and expand products from satellite and airborne remote sensing
Work
- Retrieval and Quality algorithms for Total Suspended Matter (TSM), Chl a and transparency/attenuation-related products
- New product algorithms for phytoplankton groups, primary production, pCO2, CO2 flux.
- Improved Atmospheric correction
- Improvement of water quality retrieval algorithms in optically shallow waters (bottom effects)
- Determination of species-specific optical properties (Phaeocystis, diatoms, Noctiluca), parameterisation of photosynthesis and primary production
Measurements (seaborne, airborne and laboratory)
Objective
to provide data for algorithm calibration, product validation and improvement of components of optical theory
 Work
- Seaborne cruises: spatial surveys with measurement of apparent and inherent optical properties and application-related biological and chemical parameters as follows:
- MUMM: reflectance, HPLC, TSM, turbidity, sunphotometer;
- ULB: phytoplankton community composition, CDOM, non-algae particle and phytoplankton absorption, total scattering, HPLC, Chl a, TSM, photosynthesis-irradiance, Pulse Amplitude Modulated fluorimetery;
- ULg: partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2), pH, Dissolved Inorganic Carbon and Total Alkalinity
- CSIRO: reflectance, HPLC, CDOM, non-algae particle and phytoplankton absorption, backscatter, sunphotometer;
- LOV: visible and near infrared absorption and scattering, diffuse attenuation, HPLC.
The core measurements will be made in min. 3 cruises/year over min. 3 years in Belgian, North Sea and Channel waters.
- Airborne experiments targeted on adjacency effects, bottom reflectance and sunglint
- Protocol intercomparisons of abovewater and underwater reflectance, inherent optical properties, TSM and HPLC
- Laboratory phytoplankton studies:
- Experiments for understanding the sources of variability of optical properties performed with pure cultures (diatoms and Phaeocystis globosa) under various light and nutrient conditions and in presence of different components of the water column
- Determination of the photosynthetic efficiency of different pure cultures under various growth conditions
- High temporal resolution pCO2 coverage using an automated pCO2 measurement unit.
- Data management: all in situ data will be archived annually
Image Processing
Objective
to generate remote sensing products
Work
- Satellite imagery (medium resolution):
- continuous near real time processing of MODIS and MERIS data, available on-line, supplemented with pixel-based quality information
- data from other satellite-based sensors (e.g. METOESAT Second Generation, CHRIS/PROBA, Hyperion) is processed for limited time periods as preparation for future geostationary and hyperspectral sensors and for specific application-oriented regions
- Airborne imagery: hyperspectral airborne image datasets to test and develop algorithms for bottom and adjacency effects
Quality control
Objective
to validate products and to develop quality control procedures
Work
- Reflectance validation and quality control: comparison of satellite and airborne reflectance spectra with match-up spectra, development of automatic pixel-based quality control procedures
- Chlorophyll, TSM and Transparency/attenuation product validation and quality control: comparison of satellite-derived products with match-up seaborne data, algorithm sensitivity tests and drafting of a validation statement for products for each sensor source
Dissemination, outreach and education
Objective
to ensure maximal impact of the research by dissemination to the international scientific community, to the space agencies and other satellite operators and to the general public and by training of researchers
Applications
Objective
to adapt remote sensing products to the needs of specific applications and users/projects
Work
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