Application of a colour classification method to quantify the constituentsof coastal waters from in situ reflectances sampled at satellite sensor wavebands

Remote sensing from satellite sensors is a suitable technique for synoptic monitoring of coastal waters. However quantitative use of remotely sensed d ata is difficult due to the complex behaviour of these waters. Lahet et al. (2001) demonstrated the suitability of associating spectral optical measur ements and a water colour classification to provide reliable estimates of w ater quality variables in coastal waters by low turbidity. In this Letter, we investigate the robustness of the colour classification method by consid ering experimental reflectances sampled at the central wavelength of variou s satellite sensor wavebands.