Validation of SeaWiFS-derived chlorophyll for the Rio de la Plata Estuary and adjacent waters

The South Atlantic Ocean near the Rio de la Plata Estuary is a highly dynamic region that encompasses four different water bodies: the Rio de la Plata, the continental shelf and the Brazil and Malvinas currents. Bio-optical measurements obtained during 6-11 November 1999 provided the initial field data for validating Sea viewing Wide Field of view Sensor (SeaWiFS)-derived chlorophyll imagery for this region. The turbid waters of the Rio de la Plata Estuary showed the highest variability and complexity in water optical properties, while the offshore waters of the Brazil Current had the lowest. In most cases, the estimates of chlorophyll using the SeaWiFS algorithm were higher than in situ measured values.