Optical scattering and backscattering by organic and inorganic particulates in US coastal waters

• DOI: 10.1364/ao.47.000666
• Publication Date: 2008-02-11T14:14:23Z
• Authors: William A. Snyder; Robert A. Arnone; Curtiss O. Davis; Wesley Goode; Richard W. Gould; Sherwin Ladner; Gia Lamela; William J. Rhea; Robert Stavn; Michael Sydor; Allen Weidemann
• Keywords: Backscatter (email); Particle (ecology)

We present the results of a study optical scattering and backscattering particulates for three coastal sites that represent wide range properties are found in U.S. near-shore waters. The 6000 spectra collected this can be well approximated by power-law function wavelength. exponent particulate changes dramatically from site to (and within each site) compared with where all spectra, except possibly very clearest waters, cluster around single wavelength −0.94. backscattering-to-scattering ratio (the ratio) displays dependence. This result is not consistent models describe bulk composition water as uniform mix homogeneous spherical particles Junge-like distribution over particle sizes. Simultaneous organic matter (POM) inorganic (PIM) measurements available some our measurements, site-averaged POM PIM mass-specific cross sections derived. Cross material differ at site, relative contribution depends differently on amount present.