Regression of in-water radiometric profile data.

This study addresses the regression of in-water radiometric profile data with the objective of investigating solutions to minimize uncertainties of derived products like subsurface radiance and irradiance (L(u0) and E(d0)) and diffuse attenuation coefficients. Analyses are conducted using radiometric profiles generated through Monte Carlo simulations and field measurements. A nonlinear NL approach is presented as an alternative to the standard linear method LN. Results indicate that the LN method, relying on log-transformed data, tends to underestimate regression results with respect to NL operating on non-transformed data. The log-transformation is thus identified as the source of biases in data products. Observed differences between LN and NL regression results for L(u0) are of the order of 1-2%, that is well below the target uncertainty for data products from in situ measurements (i.e., 5%). For E(d0), instead, differences can easily exceed 5% as a result of more pronounced light focusing and defocusing effects due to wave perturbations. This work also remarks the importance of applying the multi-cast measurement scheme as a mean to increase the precision of data products.

Measurements and modeling of the volume scattering function in the coastal northern Adriatic Sea.

We performed measurements of the volume scattering function (VSF) between 0.5 degrees and 179 degrees with an angular resolution of 0.3 degrees in the northern Adriatic Sea onboard an oceanographic platform during three different seasons, using the multispectral volume scattering meter (MVSM) instrument. We observed important differences with respect to Petzold's commonly used functions, whereas the Fournier-Forand's analytical formulation provided a rather good description of the measured VSF. The comparison of the derived scattering, b(p)(lambda) and backscattering, b(bp)(lambda) coefficients for particles with the measurements performed with the classical AC-9 and Hydroscat-6 showed agreement to within 20%. The use of an empirical relationship for the derivation of b(b)(lambda) from beta(psi,lambda) at psi=140 degrees was validated for this coastal site although psi=118 degrees was confirmed to be the most appropriate angle. The low value of the factor used to convert beta(psi,lambda) into b(b)(lambda) within the Hydroscat-6 processing partially contributed to the underestimation of b(b)(lambda) with respect to the MVSM. Finally, use of the Kopelevich model together with a measurement of b(p)(lambda) at lambda=555 nm allowed us to reconstruct the VSF with average rms percent differences between 8 and 15%.

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

The spectral volume scattering function (VSF) was measured in a coastal environment from 0.6 degrees to 177.3 degrees by use of a recently developed device. The spectral variations of the particulate VSF and phase function (i.e., ratio of the VSF to the scattering coefficient) were examined as a function of the scattering angle. The angular dependency of both VSF and phase- function spectra was highly sensitive to the absorption and to the size distribution of the particles. As a result, the use of spectrally neutral phase functions in radiative-transfer modeling is questioned.