Ocean inherent optical property determination from in-water light field measurements

Abstract
An algorithm is described and evaluated for determining the absorption and backscattering coefficients a (z) and b b (z) from measurements of the nadir-viewing radiance L u (z) and downward irradiance E d (z). The method, derived from radiative transfer theory, is similar to a previously proposed one for E u (z) and E d (z), and both methods are demonstrated with numerical simulations and field data. Numerical simulations and a sensitivity analysis show that good estimates of a (z) and b b (z) can be obtained if the assumed scattering phase function is approximately correct. In an experiment in Long Island Sound, estimates of a (z) derived with these methods agreed well with those obtained from an in situ reflecting tube instrument.