Generation of geolocated and radiometrically corrected true reflectance surfaces in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum over large bodies of water using images from a sUAS

The focus of this study was to develop true reflectance surfaces in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum from small unmanned aerial system (sUAS) images obtained over large bodies of water when no ground control points were available. The goal of the research was to produce true reflectance surfaces from which reflectance values could be extracted and used to estimate optical water quality parameters utilizing limited in-situ water quality analyses. Multispectral imagery was collected using a sUAS equipped with a multispectral sensor, capable of obtaining information in the blue (0.475 mu m), green (0.560 mu m), red (0.668 mu m), red edge (0.717 mu m), and near infrared (0.840 mu m) portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. To develop a reliable and repeatable protocol, a five-step methodology was implemented: (i) image and water quality data collection, (ii) image processing, (iii) reflectance extraction, (iv) statistical interpolation, and (v) data validation. Results indicate that the created protocol generates geolocated and radiometrically corrected true reflectance surfaces from sUAS missions flown over large bodies of water. Subsequently, relationships between true reflectance values and in-situ water quality parameters were developed.