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The open-ocean missing backscattering is in the structural complexity of particles.

Emanuele Organelli^1,2, Giorgio Dall'Olmo^3,4, Robert J W Brewin^3,4

¹Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, The Hoe, PL1 3DH, Plymouth, UK. emanuele.organelli@obs-vlfr.fr.

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|December 22, 2018

Summary

Marine microscopic particles are crucial for global cycles. A new optical model reveals particle structure, not just size, explains backscattering signals, solving a long-standing scientific enigma.

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Area of Science:

Marine optics
Biogeochemical cycles
Particle physics

Background:

Marine microscopic particles significantly influence global biogeochemical cycles.
Current understanding is limited by insufficient observational data and a poor grasp of particle optical properties.
Optical backscattering measurements are key but require accurate interpretation of particle contributions.

Purpose of the Study:

To address the 'missing backscattering enigma' where simple optical models underestimate observed signals.
To investigate the role of particle structure in generating optical backscattering.
To improve the mechanistic understanding of how marine particles affect light scattering in the ocean.

Main Methods:

Utilized a coated sphere optical model, a more complex alternative to the homogeneous sphere model.
Compared model predictions with satellite and in-situ optical backscattering measurements.
Performed independent size-fractionation experiments to validate findings.

Main Results:

The coated sphere model successfully predicts measured backscattering, resolving the enigma.
Results indicate that particles larger than 1 micrometer contribute significantly to the backscattering signal.
Particle structural complexity is identified as a critical factor, not just particle size.

Conclusions:

The structural complexity of marine particles is essential for accurately interpreting open-ocean backscattering.
This study provides a solution to the missing backscattering enigma.
Findings enhance our ability to utilize optical measurements for understanding marine biogeochemistry.