Impact of the scattering phase function on the bulk reflectance of a turbid medium with large-scale inhomogeneities

We study the total bulk reflectance of a turbid medium with large (as compared to the light wavelength) inhomogeneities at grazing angles of light incidence. To model highly forward scattering in the medium, we take advantage of the Reynolds-McCormick scattering phase function. Using the scaling analysis for the small-angle radiative transfer equation, we derive simple analytical formulas for the total reflectance. For grazing incidence angles, we find a range of values of the medium transport coefficients where the total reflectance proves to be a universal function of a single parameter, which is expressed in terms of the incidence angle, the absorption coefficient, and the transport scattering one. The explicit form of this function is governed by the specific angular profile of the scattering phase function. The results obtained are verified by comparison with results of a direct numerical integration of the radiative transfer equation.