Assessment of atmospheric correction methods for Sentinel-2 images in Mediterranean landscapes

Date

2018

Director

Publisher

Elsevier
Acceso abierto / Sarbide irekia
Artículo / Artikulua
Versión aceptada / Onetsi den bertsioa

Project identifier

  • MINECO//CGL2015-69095-R/ES/ recolecta
  • ES/1PE/CGL2016-75217-R/
Impacto
No disponible en Scopus

Abstract

Atmospheric correction of optical satellite imagery is an essential pre-processing for modelling biophysical variables, multi-temporal analysis, and digital classification processes. Sentinel-2 products available for users are distributed by the European Space Agency (ESA) as Top Of Atmosphere reflectance values in cartographic geometry (Level-1C product). In order to obtain Bottom Of Atmosphere reflectance images (Level-2A product) derived from this Level-1C products, ESA provides the SEN2COR module, which is implemented in the Sentinel Application Platform. Alternatively, ESA recently distributes Level-2A products processed by SEN2COR with a default configuration. On the other hand, the conversion from Level-1C to Level-2A product can be generated using alternative atmospheric correction methods, such as MAJA, 6S, or iCOR. In this context, this paper aims to evaluate the quality of Level-2A products obtained through different methods in Mediterranean shrub and grasslands by comparing data obtained from Sentinel-2 imagery with field spectrometry data. For that purpose, six plots with different land covers (asphalt, grass, shrub, pasture, and bare soil) were analyzed, by using synchronous imagery to fieldwork (from July to September 2016). The results suggest the suitability of the applied atmospheric corrections, with coefficients of determination higher than 0.90 and root mean square error lower than 0.04 achieving a relative error in bottom of atmosphere reflectance of only 2–3%. Nevertheless, minor differences were observed between the four tested methods, with slightly varying results depending on the spectral band and land cover.

Description

Keywords

Sentinel 2A-MSI, Atmospheric correction, SEN2COR, MAJA, 6S, iCOR, Field spectrometry, Mediterranean shrub and grasslands

Department

Ingeniería / Ingeniaritza

Faculty/School

Degree

Doctorate program

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© 2018 Elsevier B.V. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0

Licencia

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