The importance of atmospheric correction for airborne hyperspectral remote sensing of shallow waters: application to depth estimation

Abstract. Accurate determination of water depth is indispensable in multiple aspects of civil engineering (dock construction, dikes, submarines outfalls, trench control, etc.). According to the final objective, different accuracies will be required. Accuracy in bathymetric information is highly dependent on the atmospheric correction made to the imagery. The reduction of effects such as glint and cross track illumination in shallow-water areas with homogeneous improves the results of the depth estimations. The aim of this work is to assess the best atmospheric correction method for the estimation of depth in shallow waters. This paper addresses the use of hyperspectral imagery to quantitative bathymetric mapping, and explores one of the most common problems when attempting to extract depth information in conditions of variable water types and bottom reflectances. The current work assesses the accuracy of some classical bathymetric algorithms (Polcyn-Lyzenga, Philpot, Benny-Dawson, Hamilton, Principal Component Analysis) when four different atmospheric correction methods are applied and water depth is derived. This work shows the importance of atmospheric correction in order to depth estimation in shallow waters. None atmospheric correction is valid for all type of coastal waters but in heterogeneous shallow water, the model of atmospheric correction 6S offers good results.