Campaign For Hyperspectral Data Validation In North Atlantic Coastal Waters

The high photosynthetic productivity of the Mausund bank on the coast of mid-Norway has given the area important economic and ecologic value. Monitoring chlorophyll-a (chl-a) production can assist in managing the local aquaculture and ecosystem. Hyperspectral imagers (HSIs), with frequent revisit times when used on a small satellite, have the potential to detect chl-a over large regions. Moreover, our hypothesis is that HSIs can classify spectral signatures of different functional groups of plankton. The data must, however, first be validated to be interpreted in accordance with in situ data.Recently, a HSI validation campaign was performed. HSIs on a small satellite and drones, unmanned surface and underwater vehicles with chl-a detectors, and numerical simulations were used to monitor local phytoplankton blooms. These measurements were validated with in situ water sampling. Each measurement technique and an outline of the campaign is described, showing the feasibility of such a coordinated mission.