The use of the attenuation of light by particulate matter for the estimate of phytoplankton chlorophyll with reference to the Coastal Zone Color Scanner

Chlorophyll concentration in ocean waters can be estimated by using the difference between light attenuated by particulate matter at 450 nm and 530 nm. The maximum error (the worst estimate) was approximately 100%; at the 95% confidence level the error was about 15%. The errors in the chlorophyll algorithm concern the diversity of accessory pigmentation, light attenuation by substances other than algae, and the determination of extracted chlorophyll. It is believed that the results presented reflect the maximum precision that can be obtained when measuring chlorophyll by the present Coastal Zone Color Scanner algorithm.