Use of fluorescence based estimates of phytoplankton production to validate primary production estimates based on remote sensing techniques

Remote sensing of ocean colour offers the possibility of investigating short-term (daily to seasonal) as well as long term (yearly to decadal) changes in phytoplankton primary production over large geographical areas. However, validation of such estimates is difficult since it is based on their comparison with spotty primary productivity measurements made at sea, based on sample incubations with 14 C. Fluorescence-based techniques offer the possibility of extending the temporal and geographical coverage of oceanic primary production studies. These estimates may, thus, be more useful in validation studies of primary production models based on remote sensing techniques. Here, we present preliminary results of investigations carried out to determine whether primary production measurements based on fluorescence techniques can be used to validate primary production estimates based on remote sensing algorithms.