| Suspended particulate and chlorophyll data were collected over a 1-year period (1998) in and around Mobile Bay, Alabama using the SeaWiFS ocean color satellite sensor and in situ ship-board sampling. The SPM data sets indicated a seasonal signal existed, which was statistically linked to river discharge, but chlorophyll was dominated by high frequency variability throughout the year. SeaWiFS estimates of SPM compared well with in situ concentrations. The underestimation error by SeaWiFS was only 15% and there was no major statistical difference between the two data sets. In contrast, SeaWiFS underestimated chlorophyll by 50% and there were significant statistical differences between the data sets. This error was likely associated with the Stumpf (2000) chlorophyll algorithm. The algorithm was modified by inserting a particulate term into the equation, and the resultant new algorithm decreased the SeaWiFS underestimation error to 33% and improved the correlation. |
