ERROR IN PREDICTING HYDROSOL BACKSCATTERING FROM REMOTELY-SENSED REFLECTANCE

Monte Carlo simulations are carried out to determine the error in the inversion of backscattering from remotely sensed reflectance when geom etrical shape factors of the light field are assumed to be unity. The results show that error in backscattering inversion can vary from a 40 % overestimation to a 20% underestimation and is dependent on the sola r angle and the hydrosol constituents contributing to backscattering. The simulations also demonstrate that for chlorophyll concentrations r anging from 0.05 to 20 mg m(-3) the most dramatic change in the geomet rical shape factor occurs near 1.0 to 1.5 mg m(-3) chlorophyll. The po tential importance of bacteria in influencing the shape factor and the subsequent effect of bacteria on the retrieval of the backscattering from remote sensing reflectance are shown. Quartzlike material's stron g impact on geometrical shape factors and errors of retrieval of backs cattering at low chlorophyll concentrations are also demonstrated. Rem ote sensing reflectance inversion schemes must include information abo ut the backscattering function to be successful.