Interpreting the Variability of Near-Surface Optical and Biological Properties in Marine Waters.
1997
Cullen, John J. | Lewis, Marlon R.
The optical properties of surface waters are strongly influenced by biogenic particles, hence by particle dynamics and by changes in cellular optical characteristics. Our principal objective was to describe spatial and temporal variability in water clarity, phytoplankton biomass and particle dynamics in terms of downwelling irradiance and upwelling radiance, measured at the surface in coastal and oceanic waters with newly-developed drifting and moored radiometers. Toward this end, extensive optical and biological sampling was conducted during studies in coastal waters, culminating with a multi-investigator cruise off the coast of Oregon, during which many optical instruments were deployed and evaluated. We demonstrated that a radiometer buoy provides reliable observations of ocean color, suitable for development of algorithms and for quantifying optical variability in surface waters. We examined the relationships between biological processes and optical properties of the upper ocean and made significant steps toward characterizing the relationships between irradiance, fluorescence, chlorophyll and photosynthesis near the sea-surface. Radiometer buoys have been established as extremely useful tools in optical oceanography.
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