First-Derivative Analysis for Estimating Bio-optical Properties and Attenuation Coefficients in Shallow Coastal Waters.

This dataset contains in situ bio-optical properties (BOPs) and corresponding spectral reflectance data collected from 14 stations along the German Baltic Coast in the summers of 2022 and 2023. The data were collected to quantify correlations between BOPs and their first derivatives (FD) using different algorithms, aiming to improve remote sensing retrievals in shallow, optically complex coastal waters. The dataset includes: 1_Station_Metadata: Contains the spatial and temporal details for all sampling stations visited during the 2022 and 2023 campaigns. This includes the sampling dates, station names, unique Sample IDs, latitude/longitude coordinates, qualitative bottom features (e.g., coarse sand, fine organic silt, mussel beds), and the deployment method (shore or boat). 2_BOPs_Data: Provides the laboratory and field results for the targeted water constituents across all 23 sampling points. It details the concentrations of Chl-a (mg m⁻³), Pha (mg m⁻³), TSM (g m⁻³), CDOM absorption at 440 nm (m⁻¹), and the integrated K0PAR (%). 3_Spectral_Data: Contains the field spectroradiometer measurements. This file includes the remote sensing reflectance Rrs data, expressed as a percentage, captured at a 1 nm bandwidth across the 320 to 1100 nm spectral range. README: A comprehensive guide detailing the dataset's structural organisation, precise variable definitions, units of measurement, and a brief overview of the methodological procedures used for data collection and processing. Grants / Funding: German Research Foundation (DFG), GRK 2000 for the Research Training Group Baltic TRANSCOAST of the University of Rostock