An improved three-band semi-analytical algorithm for estimating chlorophyll-a concentration in highly turbid coastal waters: a case study of the Yellow River estuary, China

n improved three-band semi-analytical algorithm was developed for improving the performance of the three- and four-band algorithms, for chlorophyll-a concentration retrievals in the highly turbid waters of the Yellow River estuary. In this special case study of the Yellow River estuary, the optimal wavelengths of the improved three-band semi-analytical algorithm must meet the following requirements: the λ 1 and λ 2 must be restricted to within the range 660–690 nm, and the λ 3 must be longer than 750 nm. The algorithm calibration and validation results indicate that the improved three-band algorithm indeed produces superior performance in comparison to both the three- and four-band algorithms in retrieving chlorophyll-a concentration from the extremely coastal waters of the Yellow River estuary. Comparing the improved three-band algorithm to the original three- and four-band algorithm, the former minimizes the influence of backscattering by suspended solids in near-infrared regions, while the three-band algorithm has a much stronger error tolerance ability than the four-band algorithm. These findings imply that if an atmospheric correction scheme for visible and near-infrared bands is available, the improved three-band algorithm may be used for quantitative monitoring of chlorophyll-a concentration in turbid coastal waters with similar bio-optical properties, although some local bio-optical information or improved models may be required to reposition the optimal band positions of the algorithm.