An optical water type framework for selecting and blending retrievals from bio-optical algorithms in lakes and coastal waters.

Bio-optical models are based on relationships between the spectral remote sensing reflectance and optical properties of in-water constituents. The wavelength range where this information can be exploited changes depending on the water characteristics. In low chlorophyll- waters, the blue/green region of the spectrum is more sensitive to changes in chlorophyll- concentration, whereas the red/NIR region becomes more important in turbid and/or eutrophic waters.