The influence of changes in vertical optical properties in coastal waters of the State of São Paulo on hyperspectral remote sensing signals

• Grant number: 21/13367-6
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Regular Research Grants
• Start date: December 01, 2022
• End date: May 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Oceanography
• Principal Investigator: Aurea Maria Ciotti
• Grantee: Aurea Maria Ciotti
• Host Institution: Centro de Biologia Marinha (CEBIMAR). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Sebastião , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Cláudio Clemente Faria Barbosa ; Daniel Andrade Maciel ; Lino Augusto Sander De Carvalho ; Mauro Cirano ; Ronaldo Adriano Christofoletti

Abstract

Observing the oceans with remote sensing provides synchronic information on the physical dynamics and distributions of marine microbiota. The evolution of this tool appoints for a significant increase in the number of detected spectral channels per sensor, which requires a detailed description and understanding of the optical properties in the water column. This proposal will investigate by in situ measurements and numerical simulations the variability of the underwater hyperspectral light field off the coast of the state of São Paulo, focusing on the effects of subsurface intrusions of the South Atlantic Central Water on the surface ocean color and the impact on the use of these images for biogeochemical studies. In addition, the proposal aims to build regional algorithms for the estimation of optically active components (phytoplankton, debris, etc.) for current and future multi- and hyperspectral remote sensing sensors. The technological results will include the construction of a database of optical properties and methodologies for numerical simulation of the underwater light field of the coastal ocean off the coast of São Paulo, where the establishment of monitoring programs is urgently needed. The results will be reported both scientifically and to civil society and decision-makers. We hope to establish a milestone in the evolution of bio-optical studies of coastal waters, which are still modest in Brazil. (AU)