Validation of MODIS-Aqua bio-optical algorithms for phytoplankton absorption coefficient measurement in optically complex waters of El Rincón (Argentina)

GUINDER, VALERIA A.; PRATOLONGO, PAULA D.; DOGLIOTTI, ANA I.; DELGADO, ANA L.; ZAPPERI, GEORGINA

CONTINENTAL SHELF RESEARCH

PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2019 vol. 173 p. 73 - 86

0278-4343

El Rincón is a highly productive area in the inner-shelf of the Argentine Sea, southern Buenos Aires Province (39°S?62.5°W; 41.5°S?60°W), regarded as the habitat for commercially valuable fish species and important for local artisanal fisheries. The aims of this work were to characterize for the first time the in situ absorption coefficient of phytoplankton (aph(λ)) in relation to phytoplankton composition and chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentration, and to evaluate the satellite retrieval of aph(443) using two atmospheric correction algorithms and three bio-optical semi-analytical algorithms in order to define which is more suitable for the study area. A total of 28 oceanographic cruises were performed between November 2013 and March 2017 and the sampling included physical variables (temperature, salinity, suspended particulate matter, SPM), Chl-a, phytoplankton absorption and composition. The phytoplankton community was mainly dominated by chain-forming diatoms from the microplankton size class (40?80%), while a single coccolithophore, Gephyrocapsa oceanica (cell diameter