Absorption and scattering coefficient estimation with asymptotic apparent optical properties

R. A. Leathers; Norman J. McCormick

doi:10.1117/12.266449

6 February 1997 Absorption and scattering coefficient estimation with asymptotic apparent optical properties

R. A. Leathers, Norman J. McCormick

Proceedings Volume 2963, Ocean Optics XIII; (1997) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.266449
Event: Ocean Optics XIII, 1996, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Abstract

In deep, homogeneous waters with no internal sources at a particular wavelength, the vertical profiles of the reflectance R(z) and the downward diffuse attentuation coefficient K_d(z) approach asymptotic values that are inherent optical properties (IOPs) of the water. The apparent optical properties R(z) and K_d(z) are obtained from the upward and downward monospectral irradiance measurements E_u(z) and E_d(z) that are commonly available to optical oceanographers. Given a specific scattering phase function, there are unique correlations between these asymptotic IOPs and the absorption and scattering coefficients a and b that can be derived from the radiative transfer equation. Here we evaluate a method for first determining the asymptotic IOPs from E_u(z) and E_d(z) and then using the correlations to estimate the absorption and scattering coefficients a and b. At depths near the asymptotic radiance regime, both R(z) and K_d(z) can be fitted to a three-parameter model that sometimes helps in the determination of the asymptotic IOPs. A good estimation of a can be obtained from the asymptotic IOPs even when the scattering phase function is unknown; however, estimates of b are highly dependent on the assumed phase function.

Citation Download Citation

R. A. Leathers and Norman J. McCormick "Absorption and scattering coefficient estimation with asymptotic apparent optical properties", Proc. SPIE 2963, Ocean Optics XIII, (6 February 1997); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.266449

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