Estimation of inherent optical properties using quasi-analytical algorithm along the coastal waters of southeast Arabian Sea

An integrated Satlantic hyperspectral profiler was used to collect radiometric quantities and fluorescence up to a depth of 50 m. Remote sensing reflectance ( r rs ) characteristics were analysed for the coastal waters of southeast Arabian Sea during 2013 to 2015.Inherent optical properties (IOPs) were derived from the radiometric measurements using quasi-analytical algorithm (QAA). Using hyperspectral remote sensing measurements, a better understanding of the optical properties such as backscattering and absorption for the coastal waters of southeast Arabian Sea was possible. Comparison between QAA-modelled and MODIS Aqua–derived absorptions at different wavelengths showed significant correlation ( r = 0.753, 0.836, 0.714, 0.709, 0.714 and − 0.347 at wavelengths 412, 443, 488, 531, 547 and 667 respectively) except for red band. The retrieval accuracy of MODIS Aqua Chl-a for the coastal waters of southeast Arabian Sea was considerably good with a correlation of 0.89 with profiler Chl-a concentration. QAA-modelled a ph at 443 nm and b bp at 555 nm showed a good correlation of 0.82 and 0.81 respectively with the in situ Chl-a concentration. The results of this study elucidate the optical complexity of southeast Arabian Sea coastal waters and support the use of QAA for better understanding of IOPs in the coastal case-2 waters.