Abstract: Chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) is one of the important dissolved organic matters in coastal waters. As we know,the optical behavior and biogeochemical cycle of CDOM are closely related to aquatic ecosystem,and the optical properties of CDOM change with seasons and water depth in coastal waters,due to the changes in salinity and DO concentration. It,therefore,could be used as an important indicator in coastal survey,and remote sensing is suggested as an important method for monitoring environmental changes in CDOM in sea water. This paper introduced the principle of the method and the remote sensing data commonly used for the purpose,taking the seasonal remote sensing survey of the optical properties of CDOM in Mississippi-Atchafalaya river system as an example,and discussed their application potential in coastal researches.