Effects of spectral bandpass on SeaWiFS-retrieved near-surface optical properties of the ocean

A simple correction method to remove the spectral bandpass effects of the S ea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) on the derived normalized wa ter-leaving radiances and ocean-near-surface chlorophyll concentration is d eveloped and implemented in the SeaWiFS data-processing system. SeaWiFS has not only in-band response structures but also significant sensor out-of-ba nd contributions. The effects of the SeaWiFS out-of-band contribution at th e green bands is particularly significant for the derived normalized water- leaving radiances and therefore for the retrieved ocean-near-surface chloro phyll concentration. With the sensor spectral bandpass corrections, the low chlorophyll concentration is even lower in the clear ocean regions, wherea s there are almost no changes for the oceans with a chlorophyll concentrati on of >0.2 mg/m(3). (C) 2001 Optical Society of America OCIS codes: 010.445 0, 010.1310, 280.0280.