Characterizing the spectral signatures and optical properties of dams in Cyprus using field spectroradiometric measurements

A field study of optical properties of inland water quality was performed in Asprokremmos Dam in Cyprus. The field campaign last from May 2010 to October 2010. Field spectroradiometric measurements were taken using a handheld spectro-radiometer GER1500 equipped with a fibre optic probe. Spectral range of the instrument is 299-1088nm. Reflectance was calculated as a ratio of the target radiance to the reference radiance. The target radiance value was the measured value taken on the water of the reservoir and the reference radiance value was the measured value taken on the standard Spectralon panel, which represent the sun radiance which rich the earth surface-without atmospheric influence. From this campaign spectral signatures of the water were retrieved in several depths. The appearance of water color can be determined through the analysis of the retrieval spectral signatures, irradiance reflectance R(lambda), and the optical properties of the water, backscattering coefficient (b(b)) and absorption coefficient (a). Constituents and their concentration in the water can directly affect the optical properties of the water so optical properties values can be used in order to evaluate the type of water and to determine water quality parameters such as turbidity.