Monitoring of coastal waters using MOS data

Abstract

The world oceans are an important ecosystem involved in several global cycles (Carbon, Precipitation, Temperature). Not all complex interactions are fully understood. One suitable mean for regional or large scale observations of ocean conditions is remote sensing from satellites. There are different active and passive techniques in the microwave or optical VIS-NIR-TIR-range. The microwave methods are suitable to determine sea-state (roughness, waves) and brightness temperature. To monitor the biological state of the water there exist only optical measurements. Via the colour of the water can be retrieved the type and amount of water constituents, which are responsible for the ocean biology. The paper gives an overview on the methodical and experimental problems for remote sensing of turbid coastal waters.