Apparent Optical Properties (AOPs) characterize the oceanic light field – below and above the surface. AOP measurements depend on the composition of optically relevant materials in the water (e.g., phytoplankton, colored dissolved organic material, detritus, and bubbles), as well as the environmental lighting conditions (e.g., sun angle, sensor viewing angle, and atmospheric composition).
The following AOP parameters are currently being validated using PACE OCI data:
Matchup measurements at the sea surface have been individually quality controlled according to the latest protocols from the IOCCG Ocean Optics & Biogeochemistry Protocols for Satellite Ocean Colour Sensor Validation. AOP data product validation involves extracting satellite measurements and comparing ("matching") them with corresponding field measurements based on temporal and spatial proximity. Matched pairs are quality controlled based on criteria described in Bailey and Werdell (2006) and in the SeaBASS validation protocols.