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Article Reference Generation of super-resolution gap-free ocean colour satellite products using data-interpolating empirical orthogonal functions (DINEOF)
In this work we present a super-resolution approach for deriving high-spatial-resolution and high-temporal-resolution ocean colour satellite datasets. The technique is based on DINEOF (data-interpolating empirical orthogonal functions), a data-driven method that uses the spatio-temporal coherence of analysed datasets to infer missing information. DINEOF is used here to effectively increase the spatial resolution of satellite data and is applied to a combination of Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-3 datasets. The results show that DINEOF is able to infer the spatial variability observed in the Sentinel-2 data to the Sentinel-3 data while reconstructing missing information due to clouds and reducing the amount of noise in the initial dataset. In order to achieve this, the Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-3 datasets have undergone the same pre-processing, including a comprehensive, region-independent, and pixel-based automatic switching scheme for choosing the most appropriate atmospheric correction and ocean colour algorithm to derive in-water products. The super-resolution DINEOF has been applied to two different variables (turbidity and chlorophyll) and two different domains (Belgian coastal zone and the whole of the North Sea), and the sub-mesoscale variability of the turbidity along the Belgian coastal zone has been studied.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2025
Article Reference A generalized physics-based correction for adjacency effects
Atmospheric scattering occurs over a horizontal scale of several kilometers. This results in influence from neighboring surface features on the signal recorded over a given position, reducing contrast and the accuracy of quantitative retrievals of surface reflectance from satellite imagery. This atmospheric blurring, or adjacency effect, must be accounted for when both contrast in surface reflectance and magnitude of atmospheric scattering are significant. Taking into account the adjacency effect is of particular importance for aquatic remote sensing of inland and coastal waters due to the high contrast between water and different land cover types, as well as the small spatial scale of most inland water bodies. In this paper, we present a physics-based processor to retrieve surface reflectance over all surface types, regardless of the subscene composition and sensor waveband configuration. The processor is implemented in the free and open source ACOLITE software and is composed of two modules: (1) TSDSF for the estimation of aerosol properties and (2) RAdCor for the retrieval of surface reflectance. We demonstrate the performance of the TSDSF $+$ RAdCor processor for the Operational Land Imager (OLI) onboard Landsat 8 and the Multispectral Instrument (MSI) onboard Sentinel-2A and 2B over a set of small ($\lt1\;\rm km^2$) inland waters in Belgium, and compare the performance with other common processors for these sensors, including C2RCC, POLYMER, Sen2Cor, iCOR, ACOLITE/DSF, and LaSRC. For clear sky matchups, the relative deviation againstin situ data in the visible wavebands ranged between 6% and 18% for OLI, and between 14% and 31% for MSI, except for the MSI waveband centered at 443 nm where the relative deviation was 70%. In the near-infrared wavebands, the relative deviation varied from 70% to 150%, with the exception of the MSI waveband centered at 704 nm, for which the performance was 17%. Overall, the new processor outperformed the other evaluated processors in the visible range, with the exception of the MSI waveband centered at 443 nm, and was outperformed by C2RCC and POLYMER in the near-infrared wavebands. Recommendations on how to use TSDSF and RAdCor in ACOLITE are provided.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2025
Article Reference Atmospheric Correction Inter-Comparison eXercise, ACIX-III Land: An Assessment of Atmospheric Correction Processors for EnMAP and PRISMA over Land
Correcting atmospheric effects on hyperspectral optical satellite scenes is paramount to ensuring the accuracy of derived bio-geophysical products. The open-access benchmark Atmospheric Correction Inter-comparison eXercise (ACIX) was first initiated in 2016 and has now been extended to provide a comprehensive assessment of atmospheric processors of space-borne imaging spectroscopy missions (EnMAP and PRISMA) over land surfaces. The exercise contains 90 scenes, covering stations of the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) for assessing aerosol optical depth (AOD) and water vapour (WV) retrievals, as well as stationary networks (RadCalNet and HYPERNETS) and ad hoc campaigns for surface reflectance (SR) validation. AOD, WV, and SR retrievals were assessed using accuracy, precision, and uncertainty metrics. For AOD retrieval, processors showed a range of uncertainties, with half showing overall uncertainties of <0.1 but going up to uncertainties of almost 0.4. WV retrievals showed consistent offsets for almost all processors, with uncertainty values between 0.171 and 0.875 g/cm2. Average uncertainties for SR retrievals depend on wavelength, processor, and sensor (uncertainties are slightly higher for PRISMA), showing average values between 0.02 and 0.04. Although results are biased towards a limited selection of ground measurements over arid regions with low AOD, this study shows a detailed analysis of similarities and differences of seven processors. This work provides critical insights for understanding the current capabilities and limitations of atmospheric correction algorithms for imaging spectroscopy, offering both a foundation for future improvements and a first practical guide to support users in selecting the most suitable processor for their application needs.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2025
Article Reference Contrasting toxicity between explosives– and chemical warfare agents–related compounds to the marine primary producer <i>Phaeodactylum tricornutum</i>
Vast amounts of munitions dumped in the marine environment, have been reported to leak chemicals due to munition corrosion. The subsequent increased levels of explosives and related chemicals (E&RC), as well as chemical warfare agents and related chemicals (CWA&RC), raise risks for environmental and human health Yet, ecotoxicity data on primary producers is currently scarce. Therefore, this study investigated the acute effects of three CWA&RC (1,4-oxathiane, 1,4-dithiane, and thiodiglycol) and four E&RC (2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), tetryl, 1,3-dinitrobenzene (1,3-DNB), and picric acid) on Phaeodactylum tricornutum, a key marine diatom at the basis of the aquatic food web. Results showed that none of the three CWA&RC significantly inhibited the growth rate of Phaeodactylum tricornutum at the tested concentrations. Interestingly, picric acid stimulated growth up under the experimental conditions, suggesting a hormetic effect. TNT, tetryl, and 1,3-DNB strongly inhibited growth, with experimentally derived EC10 and EC50 values approaching environmentally relevant concentrations near dumpsites. Consequently, diatom biomass may be significantly affected by TNT, tetryl, and 1,3-DNB, potentially disturbing primary production and ocean chemistry. Future research should examine potential synergies between munition compounds and other marine pollutants, which may aggravate toxic effects, as well as consider long-term toxicity tests.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2026
Book Reference Assessment and data reporting of significant acute pollution events under the MSFD – Criteria D8C3/D8C4 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD)
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2025
Article Reference Assessing the chemical burden of the North-East Atlantic ecosystem through targeted and untargeted HRMS-based approaches
Human activities have introduced significant amounts of anthropogenic chemicals into marine ecosystems, posing threats to aquatic biodiversity and human health. Although, traditional marine monitoring focus primarily on legacy pollutants, the presence and potential risks associated with complex emerging chemical mixtures should not be neglected. In the context of the present study organized via OSPAR Commission and supported by NORMAN network, 52 marine samples were gathered from North-East Atlantic Ocean. State-of-the-art HRMS-based analytical workflows were employed to identify their chemical fingerprint. 132 organic pollutants were identified through wide-scope target screening of more than 2,400 environmentally relevant organic pollutants. The HRMS data were digitally stored in NORMAN DSFP and 134 additional chemicals were tentatively identified through suspect screening of more than 65,000 chemicals. The list included legacy pollutants, along with emerging pollutants, their metabolites and transformation products. A simplified environmental risk assessment was conducted, aiming to prioritize substances based on their potential risks to the marine ecosystem. This study provides a valuable snapshot of the marine pollution, offering insights into chemical occurrence and risks. The findings can support marine scientists, environmental managers and policymakers in identifying pollutant sources, understanding their impacts, and informing regulatory measures to mitigate threats to marine ecosystems.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2025
Book Reference Guidance on potential exclusion of certain WFD priority substances from MSFD monitoring beyond coastal and territorial waters: a pragmatic and qualitative approach for the open sea
According to Commission Decision (EU) 2017/848 under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), EU Member States (MS) shall consider, in their Descriptor 8 primary criterion (D8C1) assessments, the WFD Priority Substances (PS) and River Basin Specific Pollutants (RBSP) within coastal and territorial waters and also beyond territorial waters if these still may give rise to pollution effects. Some WFD PS might not be relevant for the marine environment in the open sea and, consequently, might be excluded from MSFD monitoring beyond the territorial waters. MS have expressed the need for a framework for the deselection of WFD PS from monitoring under the MSFD, in order to save resources. The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC), collaborating within the MSFD Expert Network on Contaminants, has developed a pragmatic approach to identify the WFD PS that can be excluded from MSFD monitoring in the open sea beyond territorial waters without reducing protection of European Seas. This should preempt the need for individual MS to provide rationales for such exclusions, support comparable monitoring and assessments across national boundaries, and enable MS to focus their monitoring efforts on other (including emerging) substances that require attention.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2021
Article Reference Local and landscape effects on ant functional and taxonomic compositions across green spaces of a tropical metropolis
Urbanization is one of the main processes driving environmental transformation, altering the structure and functioning of biological communities across multiple spatial scales. In this study, we evaluated the effects of local and landscape variables on the taxonomic and functional composition of ants in different types of urban green spaces in the city of Salvador, Brazil. A total of 62 sampling points were surveyed across forest fragments, squares, streets medians, and vacant lots, using specific methods for both ground-dwelling and arboreal strata. We recorded 93 ant species distributed among 20 functional groups. Our results indicated that, at the local scale, leaf litter depth was the primary explanatory factor for both taxonomic and functional richness, as well as for functional composition. At the landscape scale, human population density and vegetation cover surrounding the sampling points influenced the distribution of species and functional groups, revealing contrasting patterns between specialist and generalist species. While arboreal, hypogeic, and fungivorous ants were more dependent on structurally complex and conserved habitats, epigeic, omnivorous, and some predatory species were favored in more simplified and heterogeneous environments. These findings highlight that biodiversity conservation in urban areas depends on integrated strategies across multiple scales, encompassing management practices that ensure local structural complexity alongside planning that promotes habitat heterogeneity at the landscape level. Overall, the study demonstrates that the arrangement and quality of urban green spaces play a central role in maintaining both taxonomic and functional diversity of ant communities in tropical cities.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2026
Article Reference The BiogeochemicAl Model for Hypoxic and Benthic Influenced areas: BAMHBI v1.0
This paper describes the ocean BiogeochemicAl Model for Hypoxic and Benthic Influenced areas (BAMHBI). BAMHBI is a moderate complexity marine biogeochemical model that describes the cycling of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, silicon and oxygen through the marine foodweb. It involves 22 state variables, extends from bacteria up to mesozooplankton and includes three phytoplankton functional types (PFTs), two zooplankton size-classes, a microbial loop with several classes of detritic materials. Five optional modules are available allowing to extend the model with the explicit modelling of Chlorophyll a (Chl a) in each PFT, benthic degradation, gelatinous dynamics, particles aggregation and the carbonate system. BAMHBI describes the degradation of organic matter according to oxygenation conditions using an approach similar to that used in the sediment to simulate early diagenesis. The model is particularly appropriate for modelling low oxygen environments and the generation of sulfidic waters. An optional benthic module solves the degradation of sedimentary organic matter and the benthic-pelagic fluxes of solutes using an efficient formulation based on meta-modelling. This paper describes in details model formulations, implementation and coupling with the physics. BAMHBI's code is written in Fortran and can be coupled with many hydrodynamical models. Two case studies of application of BAMHBI in the Black Sea are described. One describes the application of BAMHBI to simulate the biogeochemical dynamics of the northwestern shelf during the eutrophication period. In particular, the ability of BAMHBI to simulate the oxygen dynamics at seasonal and interannual scales is assessed with a focus on the simulation of bottom hypoxia. We highlight the results of the benthic modelling module and its ability to represent benthic-pelagic fluxes. The second case study compares the BAMHBI simulated Chl a, oxygen and nitrate dynamics in the deep sea with respect to biogeochemical Argo.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2026
Article Reference Amplified warming and marine heatwaves in the North Sea under a warming climate and their impacts
The northeast Atlantic and adjacent regions, such as the North Sea, are among the fastest-warming areas in the world. However, the role of climate change and internal variability in marine heatwaves (MHWs) in this region remains poorly understood. This study aims to quantify the relevant changes in sea surface temperature (SST) and MHWs in the North Sea, as well as to identify the leading patterns of interannual MHW variability over more than 4 decades (1982–2024). Our results indicated a new regime shift in the annual mean SST in the North Sea since 2013. Therefore, we examined the relationships between MHW trends and long-term sea surface warming trends to quantify the role of climate change in the intensification of MHWs. We found that the increase in MHWs is related to the significant decadal change in SST over the North Sea and we have revealed that large-scale climate modes, such as the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation and the East Atlantic Pattern, play a crucial role in this decadal change in SST. In particular, the SST trend has doubled in the post-2013 period (0.8 °C per decade), compared with the pre-2013 period (0.4 °C per decade), leading to longer and more frequent MHWs. The SST, MHW frequency, and MHW days increased significantly by 0.38 °C per decade, 1.04 events per decade, and 17.27 d per decade, respectively, over the entire study period. After removing the long-term sea surface warming trend before MHW detection, all MHW features exhibited insignificant trends, indicating that the long-term SST trend is the primary driver of the observed long-term MHW trend in the North Sea region, thereby confirming the crucial role of mean SST changes in MHWs in this region. Furthermore, we found that 80 % of the observed trend in MHW frequency is attributed to long-term warming, while the rest is attributed to internal variability. The SST record in May 2024, manifest by the longest (27 d) and most intense (2.2 °C) MHW event, is attributed to an anomalous anticyclonic atmospheric circulation over the Baltic Sea and southern Norway, which enhanced solar radiation over the North Sea. Finally, we also investigated how the chlorophyll a concentration responded to the MHW, revealing a decrease in the deep and cold-water regions of the northern North Sea and an increase in the shallow and warm-water areas of the southern North Sea.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2025