Author Description

Using visible wavelength radiance data obtained horn the spaceborne Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS), during the Aerosol Characterization Experiment-Asia (ACE-Asia), an analysis of the Japan and East China Sea regions was completed to determine the background ocean reflectance characteristics and distribution, the effects of both ocean turbidity and various aerosols on the radiance received from the top of the atmosphere, and develop algorithms designed to identify areas of airborne dust and high ocean turbidity. The primary objective of the analysis was to better catheterize and parameterize the regional background reflectance in order to improve the accuracy of the aerosol optical depth algorithms currently in use. A secondary objective was to develop a method of determining the geographic extent and basic intensity of the ocean turbidity. The intent of the study was to explore how visible wavelength solar radiation is affected by its interaction with the regional environment. The work has operational significance because many types of military systems operate using visible wavelength energy and are greatly affected by scattering particles either airborne or suspended in the water column. The types of systems affected range from imaging and targeting to mine hunting and identification equipment.