Abstract

The quasi-single-scattering approximation in which a δ function replaces the forward portion of the volume scattering function is applied to radiative transfer in the ocean. Immediately beneath the surface, the product of the reflectance R and the downwelling irradiance-attenuation coefficient K(−) is equal to an integral of the volume scattering function in the backward direction weighted by a geometrical factor. Spectral variations of the volume scattering function are revealed in K(−)R; this is used to examine the wavelength dependence of scattering in two very different natural waters. In the clear water of Crater Lake, the backscattering is proportional to λ⁻³ (λ = wavelength), whereas the turbid, productive waters of San Vicente Reservoir show a complex dependence of backscattering on wavelength, which is associated with anomalous dispersion due to the 670-nm absorption band of the chlorophyll that is contained in the suspended phytoplankton.

© 1974 Optical Society of America

Monochromatic Measurement of the Volume Scattering of Natural Waters

John E. Tyler
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 47(8) 745-747 (1957)

Spectral variation of the volume scattering function measured over the full range of scattering angles in a coastal environment

Malik Chami, Eugeny B. Shybanov, Gueorgui A. Khomenko, Michael E.-G. Lee, Oleg V. Martynov, and Gennady K. Korotaev
Appl. Opt. 45(15) 3605-3619 (2006)

Spectroradiometric Characteristics of Natural Light Under Water*

J. E. Tyler and R. C. Smith
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 57(5) 595-601 (1967)

Optical Properties of Clear Natural Water*

Raymond C. Smith and John E. Tyler
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 57(5) 589-595 (1967)

Estimation of the inherent optical properties of natural waters from the irradiance attenuation coefficient and reflectance in the presence of Raman scattering

Hubert Loisel and Dariusz Stramski
Appl. Opt. 39(18) 3001-3011 (2000)