The Quasi-Analytical Algorithm was developed to derive inherent optical properties by analytically inverting the spectral remote-sensing reflectance. It is the algorithm used in the ESA Ocean-colour CCI project to retrieve particulate optical backscattering (bbp). Due to the high uncertainties still associated to QAA global retrievals of bbp, reliable accuracy estimates of the QAA are essential for climate change studies where time series of ocean colour products are required.
A recently published study by NIOZ, (ISMAR)-CNR, ENEA, and CNRS (LOV and IMEV) aims to evaluate the performance of the QAA for bbp retireval based on field and satellite radiometry. The research was partially supported by the ESA Living Planet Fellowship Project PHYSIOGLOB: Assessing the inter-annual physiological response of phytoplankton to global warming using long-term satellite observations, conducted by Marco Bellacicco.
Jaime Pitarch, Marco Bellacicco, Emanuele Organelli, Gianluca Volpe, Simone Colella, Vincenzo Vellucci, Salvatore Marullo, “Retrieval of Particulate Backscattering Using Field and Satellite Radiometry: Assessment of the QAA Algorithm”, Remote Sensing 2020, 12(1), 77; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs12010077