Global inherent optical properties from SeaWiFS data

For the SeaWiFS sensor these wavelengths are 490 and 510 nm. The only empirical information required is the spectral slope in both backscatter and total absorption for determining the primary measurands of total backscatter and total absorption.

These were derived using the COLORS dataset and details can be found in Smyth et al. (2006, doi:10.1364/AO.45.008116). The model assumes a spectral shape for the backscatter and uses this information to extrapolate to the other wavelengths. The bio-geochemical parameters of absorption due to phytoplankton and absorption due to yellow substance and detritus are derived in a similar manner, but this time simultaneously solving for the wavelength pair 412 : 443 nm.