POSTER Session 3

THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF OPTICALLY COMPLEX NORWEGIAN FJORDS

Every spring and early summer, the color of many Norwegian fjords change drastically. Some are due to melting of snow and ice, where rivers feed the fjords with mineral particles, giving the water a milky-green or turquoise appearance. Others are caused by phytoplankton blooms, most characteristically from the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi, which can fill vast fjord systems in days, coloring the water in a spectacular green, much similar to the meltwater. Optical remote sensing is challenging in these optically complex waters, and high quality in situ data is essential for improving both atmospheric correction and parameterization of bio-optical models. Between 2019-2023 we conducted annual field campaigns in glacial-fed as well as E. huxleyi blooming Norwegian fjords, gathering a comprehensive and unique dataset of inherent optical properties including absorption, volume scattering functions as well as radiometric, chl-a and TSM measurements. In this work we show that although the apparent color, as well as remote sensing reflectance of meltwater- and coccolithophore bloom fjords are very similar, the inherent optical properties vary substantially. We present a detailed comparison of optical as well as biogeochemical properties of the two water types, including applications for using the data. In addition, we share our experiences from fieldwork and leading a 4-year project on the link between remote sensing and in situ measurements in optically complex waters.

Arne Kristoffersen, University of Bergen, Norway, [email protected], https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8327-196X

Elinor Tessin, University of Bergen, Norway, [email protected]

Svein Run Erga, University of Bergen, Norway, [email protected]

Yi-Chun Chen, University of Bergen, Norway, [email protected]

Håkon Sandven, University of Bergen, Norway, [email protected]

Børge Hamre, University of Bergen, Norway, [email protected]

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