Detection of coccolithophore blooms in ocean color satellite imagery: A generalized approach for use with multiple sensors

A generalized coccolithophore bloom classifier has been developed for use with ocean color imagery. The bloom classifier was developed using extracted satellite reflectance data from SeaWiFS images screened by the default bloom detection mask. In the current application, we extend the optical water type (OWT) classification scheme by adding a new coccolithophore bloom class formed from these extracted reflectances. Based on an in situ coccolithophore data set from the North Atlantic, the detection levels with the new scheme were between 1,500 and 1,800 coccolithophore cells/mL and 43,000 and 78,000 liths/mL. The detected bloom area using the OWT method was an average of 1.75 times greater than the default bloom detector based on a collection of SeaWiFS 1 km imagery. The versatility of the scheme is shown with SeaWiFS, MODIS Aqua, CZCS and MERIS imagery at the 1 km scale. The OWT scheme was applied to the daily global SeaWiFS imagery mission data set (years 1997–2010). Based on our results, average annual coccolithophore bloom area was more than two times greater in the southern hemisphere compared to the northern hemisphere with values of 2.00 × 106 km2 and 0.75 × 106 km2, respectively. The new algorithm detects larger bloom areas in the Southern Ocean compared to the default algorithm, and our revised global annual average of 2.75 × 106 km2 is dominated by contributions from the Southern Ocean.

► A new method to identify coccolithophore blooms for ocean color satellite data.
► The method augments the existing Optical Water Type framework with a new type.
► The method reveals blooms in the Southern Ocean previously not detected.
► Annual global bloom patterns appear regulated in space and time.
► Revised global estimate of 2.75×106 km2 annual area.