Airborne lidar detection of subsurface oceanic scattering layers

Area of Science:

• Oceanography
• Remote Sensing
• Lidar Technology

Background:

• Submerged oceanic scattering layers impact water clarity and marine ecosystems.
• Accurate mapping of these layers is crucial for understanding oceanographic processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the airborne lidar detection and cross-sectional mapping of submerged oceanic scattering layers.
• To assess the effectiveness of airborne lidar in profiling shelf/slope waters.

Main Methods:

• Utilized NASA's Airborne Oceanographic Lidar in bathymetric mode with 532-nm wavelength.
• Minimized air-water interface reflection via spatial filtering and off-nadir operation.
• Verified thermal stratification using airborne expendable bathythermographs and optical beam transmission.

Main Results:

• Acquired depth-resolved backscatter signals from shelf/slope waters.
• Confirmed the presence of thermal stratification.
• Detected a turbid water layer near the seafloor on the inner shelf.

Conclusions:

• Airborne lidar is effective for mapping submerged oceanic scattering layers.
• The study identified a near-seafloor turbid layer, relevant for coastal oceanography.
• This method provides valuable data for oceanographic and ecological studies.