Approximation of Diffuse Attenuation, Kd, for MODIS High-Resolution Bands

A high resolution depth attenuation product (K-d(hires)) was developed using MODIS 500m and 250m spectral bands. The K-d(hires) was compared with Wang's operational K-d for the Chesapeake Bay. Minimal differences were observed between the two methods, with greatest deviation occurring in areas of high turbidity in the tributaries. After tuning the new K-d(hires), the mean absolute error and bias between the two algorithms was 0.22m(-1) and 0.026m(-1), indicating good agreement. Higher spatial resolution provides for improved retrievals along the coast and into the narrow sections of the tributaries, coinciding with areas of concern to estuarine health and coastal management applications.