Retrieval of inherent optical properties from multiple aquatic systems using a quasi-analytical algorithm for several water types

The estimation of inherent optical properties (IOPs) from remote sensing measurements is important for the establishment of a physically meaningful relationship to retrieve water quality parameters. However, remote sensing algorithms for the retrieval of IOPs are only reliable at specific study sites. In this context, the primary goal of the present study is to evaluate the use of the proposed single algorithm formulation for the retrieval of IOPs in different inland waters. The secondary goal is to examine the performance of the proposed formulation for different optical water types. The proposed algorithm single algorithm formulation got a normalized Root Mean Square Error (nRMSE) ranging from 4% to 28% for the estimation of the absorption coefficient of colored dissolved matter (aCDM). For the estimation of the absorption coefficient of phytoplankton (aphy) the proposed algorithm got nRMSE values ranging from 10% to 42% for 487 sampling points from 7 different aquatic systems. These results indicate the possibility of retrieving the absorption coefficients of phytoplankton and colored dissolved matter from different aquatic environments. Therefore, the proposed algorithm can be the first step for a unique methodology to estimate IOPs which are important for understanding biogeochemical processes on inland waters.