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Transient radiative transfer equation applied to oceanographic lidar
1Mechanical Engineering Program, Florida Institute of Technology, 150 West University Boulevard, Melbourne, Florida 32901, USA.
Applied Optics
|February 29, 2008
Summary
This study models oceanographic lidar signals using radiative transfer equations. Fish schools significantly impact lidar signals in low to moderate albedo waters, with less effect in clearer conditions.
Area of Science:
- Ocean optics
- Remote sensing
- Lidar technology
Background:
- Oceanographic lidar systems utilize pulsed lasers to measure backscattered light, crucial for underwater environmental monitoring.
- System performance is influenced by numerous optical and environmental parameters, necessitating simplified models for analysis.
- Understanding signal attenuation and target detection is vital for effective lidar application in marine research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the optical signal available to an oceanographic lidar receiver.
- To investigate the influence of water column albedo and fish school characteristics on lidar signal strength.
- To analyze the relationship between lidar signal attenuation and the diffuse attenuation coefficient.
Main Methods:
- Employed the discrete ordinates method to solve the one-dimensional transient radiative transfer equation.
- Calculated the optical signal reaching the receiver, simplifying the parameter space compared to receiver output.
- Simulated scenarios with varying water column albedo and fish school parameters (depth, thickness, density).
Main Results:
- Lidar signal attenuation exceeded the diffuse attenuation coefficient at low albedo, converging at higher albedo values.
- Fish schools significantly altered the lidar signal at low to moderate water albedo.
- The impact of fish schools diminished considerably in high albedo (clearer) water conditions.
Conclusions:
- The study provides a validated method for estimating oceanographic lidar signals, considering key environmental factors.
- Water albedo and the presence of biological scatterers like fish schools are critical determinants of lidar signal behavior.
- Findings inform the design and interpretation of data from oceanographic lidar systems for marine ecological studies.
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