12:15–12:30 | ABSTRACT 1094
VERTICAL STRUCTURE OF OCEAN COLOR USING AN AIRBORNE LIDAR IN CAPE VERDE
Lidar observations provide continuous measurements over large areas while extending our view to the vertical dimension, capabilities that even exceed what can be done with in situ sampling or with passive spaceborne observations. Here, we demonstrate the applicability of the French airborne LNG lidar for studying the upper ocean. Originally developed for studying clouds, aerosols, and winds, LNG’s three wavelengths (355, 532, and 1064 nm), polarization, and high spectral resolution capabilities make it a promising sensor for ocean color. To evaluate this potential, an air- and sea-borne campaign (CADDIWA) was conducted in Cape Verde (2021), collecting over 800,000 lidar profiles and including concurrent in situ measurements of the seawater’s apparent and inherent optical properties. Using a novel processing chain applied to the LNG data, we retrieved the diffuse attenuation coefficient (Kd) and the particulate backscattering coefficient (bbp) over the vertical up to 35 meters. Compared to the in situ measurements, the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) for the LNG bbp and Kd estimates ranged from 2–7% and 13–18%, respectively. These results show that LNG performs comparably to standard ocean color products (OC-CCI, processed using 3SAA), which exhibited MAPEs for bbp and Kd of 11–12% and 20–26%, highlighting LNG’s potential for ocean color studies. We finally show curtains of bbp and Kd around Sao Vicente and Santo Antao islands, showing phytoplankton layers at different depths and with different characteristics.
Rafael Simao*, LOG / ULCO / CNES, [email protected], https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2575-3140
Cédric Jamet, LOG / ULCO, [email protected]
Julien Delanoë, LATMOS, [email protected]
Emmeline François, LATMOS, [email protected]
Sophie Bounissou, LATMOS, [email protected]
Cyrille Flamant, LATMOS, [email protected]
Eric Lecuyer, LOG, [email protected]
