These are the 250-m resolution MODIS images showing the floating algae (small outstanding slicks from the image background) near Qingdao. More details can be found in the EOS article 'Origin and Offshore Extent of Algae in Olympic Sailing Area' by Hu and He (EOS, AGU Transactions, Vol 89, No 33, Page 302 - 303. August 12, 2008).

These images were generated using MODIS data and a NDVI algorithm. The algorithm is sensitive to observing conditions (aerosols, solar angle, viewing angle, sun glint), and the color variations across the images are due to this sensitivity. Recently, a new algorithm of Floating Algae Index (FAI) has been developed which is less sensitive to observing conditions and therefore can be used to detect floating algae more effectively. The corresponding FAI images can be found here

This is a collaboration between the University of South Florida and Ocean University of China.

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