Atmospheric correction of ocean color imagery through thick layers of Saharan dust

Airborne plumes of desert dust from North Africa are observable all year on satellite images over the Tropical Atlantic. In addition to its radiative impact, it has been suggested that this mineral dust has a substantial influence on the marine productivity. This effect is however difficult to gauge because present atmospheric correction algorithms for ocean color sensors are not capable of handling absorbing mineral dust. We apply a new approach to atmospheric correction in which the atmosphere is removed and the case 1 water properties are derived simultaneously. Analysis of SeaWiFS images acquired off Western Africa during a dust storm demonstrates the efficacy of this approach in terms of increased coverage and more reliable pigment retrievals.