Retrieval of inherent optical properties of the Yellow Sea and East China Sea using a quasi-analytical algorithm

We tested and modified the quasi-analytical algorithm (QAA) using 57 groups of field data collected in the spring of 2003 in the Yellow Sea and East China Sea. The QAA performs well in deriving total absorption coefficients of typical coastal waters. The average percentage difference (APD) is in a range of 13.9%–38.5% for the total absorption coefficient (13.9% at 440 nm), and differences in particle backscattering coefficient bbp(λ) are less than 50% (in the case of the updated QAA). To obtain improved results, we modified the QAA by adjusting the empirical relationships. The modified algorithm is then applied to the field data to test its performance. The APDs were 44.7%–46.6% for bbp(λ) and 9.9%–32.8% (9.9% at 555 nm) for the total absorption coefficient. This indicates that the modified QAA derives better results. We also used the modified model to derive phytoplankton pigment absorption (aph) and detritus and CDOM absorption (adg) coefficients. The APDs for aph and adg at 440 nm are 37.1% and 19.8%. In this paper, we discuss error sources using the measured dataset. More independent field data can improve this algorithm and derive better results.