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IJESD 2013 Vol.4(2): 94-98 ISSN: 2010-0264
DOI: 10.7763/IJESD.2013.V4.312
DOI: 10.7763/IJESD.2013.V4.312
Optical Spectra of Phytoplankton Cultures for Remote Sensing Applications: Focus on Harmful Algal Blooms
Robert A. Warner and Chunlei Fan
Abstract—Hyperspectral remote sensing reflectance was
measured for a series of phytoplankton cultures as the first step
in determining major taxon in an algal bloom by remote sensing.
Two common bloom-forming species: Dinophyta, the
dinoflagellate Prorocentrum minimum, and Cyanophyta, the
cyanobacteria Synechococcus sp. were grown as mono cell
cultures. Optical spectral measurements were taken from the
cultures during logarithmic growth phases with progressive
dilutions and culture mixtures. The primary objective of this
study was to obtain base line reflectance spectra which can be
used as references for remote sensing of algal blooms.
Furthermore, the derivative analysis was applied to the
reflectance spectra to explore the spectral features that can be
used to identify phytoplankton taxon. Results showed that
spectral reflectance correlated with phytoplankton biomass.
Applying mathematical operators to the spectra of mono cell
cultures corresponded to observed spectra of culture mixtures.
Our results further corroborate previous findings that for some
cases, remote sensing reflectance (Rrs) can be used to identify
the primary taxon in algal blooms.
Index Terms—Hyperspectral spectra, remote sensing, algal bloom, derivative analysis.
Robert A. Warner is with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment, Silver Spring, MD 20910 USA (e-mail: Robert.A.Warner@noaa.gov).
Chunlei Fan is with the Biology Department/Estuarine Research Center at Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 21251 USA (e-mail: Chunlei.fan@morgan.edu).
Index Terms—Hyperspectral spectra, remote sensing, algal bloom, derivative analysis.
Robert A. Warner is with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment, Silver Spring, MD 20910 USA (e-mail: Robert.A.Warner@noaa.gov).
Chunlei Fan is with the Biology Department/Estuarine Research Center at Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 21251 USA (e-mail: Chunlei.fan@morgan.edu).
Cite:Robert A. Warner and Chunlei Fan, "Optical Spectra of Phytoplankton Cultures for Remote Sensing Applications: Focus on Harmful Algal Blooms," International Journal of Environmental Science and Development vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 94-98, 2013.