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Scattering and absorption effects on asymptotic light fields in seawater
Optics Express
|August 10, 2017
Summary
This study parameterizes the average cosine of oceanic light fields, a key inherent optical property, using backscattering and absorption ratios. This improves ocean color remote sensing algorithms by linking surface and deep-water optical properties.
Area of Science:
- Ocean optics and radiative transfer theory.
- Remote sensing of ocean color.
Background:
- Asymptotic theory describes how oceanic light fields stabilize with depth, becoming dependent only on inherent optical properties (IOPs).
- The average cosine of the asymptotic light field (μ¯∞) is a crucial IOP linked to radiative transfer approximations (RTAs) used in ocean color algorithms.
- Accurate parameterization of μ¯∞ is needed for effective remote sensing reflectance (RRS) algorithms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To parameterize the average cosine of the asymptotic light field (μ¯∞) in terms of IOPs relevant to ocean color remote sensing.
- To evaluate the assumption that the attenuation coefficient for upwelling nadir radiance (KLu) in surface waters approximates the asymptotic attenuation coefficient (K∞).
Main Methods:
- Approximated μ¯∞ as a function of the ratio of total backscattering to total absorption (bb/a).
- Incorporated fractional water content of pure seawater in total backscattering (ηbb) and a range of particle phase functions using the Fournier-Forand approximation.
- Developed analytical expressions for polynomial fits of μ¯∞ versus bb/a for various ηbb values and the entire dataset.
Main Results:
- Provided analytical expressions for μ¯∞ as a function of bb/a and ηbb, achieving a modest 3.4% absolute error for the entire dataset fit.
- The analysis included a comprehensive range of natural particle phase functions.
- Justified the use of asymptotic parameters in surface ocean color RTAs and provided relationships for their application.
Conclusions:
- The parameterization of μ¯∞ provides a robust link between IOPs and light field properties essential for ocean color remote sensing.
- Results support the application of asymptotic theory parameters in surface ocean radiative transfer approximations.
- The study offers practical relationships for utilizing these findings in ocean color algorithms.
