SATCORE Programme held at CIFT

SATellite Coastal and Oceanographic Research (SATCORE) programme was initiated by INCOIS to address the demand of accurate bio-optical algorithm for satellite based retrieval of ocean colour parameters in the coastal waters of India. The aim of SATCORE programme is long term measurements of bio-optical parameters in the Indian coastal waters. This is achieved by INCOIS in collaboration with academic and research institutes through various sub projects. As a network of data collection it is required to analyse the data using same protocols and comparing result from each laboratory to assess the bias for ensuring the quality of the data and compare it with international standards. An inter-lab comparison workshop was organized by Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Hyderabad in the Fishing Technology Division of Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Cochin during 28 September to 2 October, 2014.The workshop was conducted with an aim to inter-compare all the similar instruments which will be operated simultaneously and to collect and analyse a set of samples from same location and analyze it in respective laboratories.

The objectives of the workshop were:

• Inter comparison of insitu instruments such as Satlantic Hyperspectral radiometer and Microtops II sunphotometer.
• To check the instrument performance used by various institutions funded by INCOIS using unique methodology.

Insitu data sampling were conducted at off Kochi coast around 23m depth. The sampling location of the area shown in Fig 1.

Participants of SATCORE along with Director, CIFT                 Fig 1. Map showing the sampling location

Participants from different organizations under INCOIS-SATCORE programme came to CIFT prior to the starting of workshop. The workshop was started on 28^th September with brief inaugural function. The participants were welcomed by Dr. P Muhamed Ashraf, Senior Scientist and Dr. AneeshLotliker,  Co-ordinator SICOME 14, described about the objectives of the programme and what the results expected from the inter comparison exercise.

The Workshop started with a preparatory meeting and Dr. AneeshLotlikerexplained about the field trip and the programmes of workshop date by date. The participants were divided into two groups. He also detailed the field trip and how instruments to be operated by each group. All the field testing instruments viz hyper spectral radiometers, sunphotometers, samplers and accessories were inspected made ready for use in next day.

On 29^th September, two boats were arranged for carrying out the field trip. One boat was MV SagarSakthi owned by CIFT and another one MV VenusIII owned by a private person (Fig 2).

SATCORE Team on board Hyperspectral radiometer operated in profile mode

During the field trip two numbers each of Satlantichyper spectral radiometer operated in both boats. The radiometers were operated in both buoy mode and profile mode. Seven numbers of sunphotometer were operated to study the aerosol optical depths (Fig 4) in different location and time. Water samples were collected form 10 different stations and transported to the laboratory to analyze chlorophyll concentration and chlorophyll specific absorption. On the same day of field trip water samples were filtered using GF/F filter paper and the samples were treated with 90% acetone and kept in dark and low temperature for chlorophyll extraction. On 30^thSeptenmberparticipants processed radiometer and sunphotometer data while the Co-ordinator and two participants did filtration for absorption by phytoplankton measurements.

1^st Octoberstarted with inter calibration of seven numbers of Turner Design Trilogy fluorometer brought from different institutes. First the instrument was calibrated for chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) standards. The participants were taught how to standardize and calibrate the instrument. Later in the afternoon calibration for chlorophyll concentration were demonstrated using spectrophotometer and trilogy fluorometer. After the demonstration the participants were requested to repeat the same.

After the calibration participants were taken for visiting different laboratories of the CIFT and they were interacted with staffs of the different laboratories.

Surface Water sample Processing of Radiometer and Trilogyfluorometers kept ready for calibration Sunphotometer data  calibration

Turbidity standards were prepared and the calibration for turbidity was done on 2^nd October. On the last day participants were asked to present the results of different instruments and analytical parameters. Group leaders presented the analyzed data and results showed that most of the instruments are delivered similar results with very low standard errors.

Spectra showing surface irradiance measured using four different radiometers

Presentations were made on the Experimental execution and sampling strategies of field trip, Comparison of optical parameters, Comparison results of sunphotometer operated during the exercise, Details of Chlorophyll and Absorption by phytoplankton measurements and Comparison of Ancillary Parameters.

On completion of the presentations Dr. T. Suresh, Senior Principal Scientist from National Institute of Oceanography explained about the measures to be adopted while operating radiometer. All the samples were sent to respective institutions for further calibration and analysis. The SICOME 2014 has enabled the participants to understand the procedures of different analysis and operation of sophisticated equipments like hyperspectral radiometers and analysis of data generated by different equipments. In the concluding meeting participats expressed that the workshop enabled them to understand the operation of equipments and data processing and appreciated the way it was conducted by CIFT and INCOIS. The programme concluded after the expression of volte of thanks by Dr. P. Muhamed Ashraf, Senior Scientist.