Bio-optical characterization of Asinara Gulf sea water in Sardinia (Italy) using both laser spectrofluorimeter and remote sensing data

Abstract

The general objective of this research is to calibrate MODIS bio-optical algorithm for better more accurate estimates of phytoplanktonic Chlorophyll a (Chl-a) in the Asinara Gulf (Northern Sardinia, Italy) using and exploring the suitability of the new laser spectrofluorometric apparatus CASPER (Patent ENEA) as a fast and accurate method to obtain “sea truth” values of Chl-a and other biooptical parameters from simultaneous in situ measurements. The accuracy and reliability of data (in particular Chl–a) obtained by CASPER have been evaluated comparing them with standard measurements. CASPER has proved to be a valid instrument also for the investigation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and oil pollution (dispersed or in film) in water bodies. At the moment “sea truth” data of Chl-a have being compared to the imagery collected by MODIS. But in order to reach better results, the bio-optical algorithm is going to be recalibrated according to the measurements of CASPER, thus providing new estimates of phytoplanktonic Chl-a in the Asinara Gulf