Dynamics of microcystins and saxitoxin in the Indian River Lagoon, Florida.

Harmful algal blooms that can produce toxins are common in the Indian River Lagoon (IRL), which covers ~250 km of Florida's east coast. The current study assessed the dynamics of microcystins and saxitoxin in six segments of the IRL: Banana River Lagoon (BRL), Mosquito Lagoon (ML), Northern IRL (NIRL), Central IRL (CIRL), Southern IRL (SIRL), and the St. Lucie Estuary (SLE). Surface water samples (n = 40) collected during the 2018 wet and 2019 dry season were analyzed to determine associations between toxins and temperature, salinity, pH, oxygen saturation, concentrations of dissolved nutrients and chlorophyll-a, presence of biosynthetic genes for toxins, relative abundance of planktonic species, and composition of the microbial community. The potential toxicity of samples was assessed using multiple mammalian cell lines. Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays were used to determine concentrations of microcystins and saxitoxin. Overall, the microcystins concentration ranged between 0.01-85.70 µg/L, and saxitoxin concentrations ranged between 0.01-2.43 µg/L across the IRL. Microcystins concentrations were 65% below the limit of quantification (0.05 µg/L), and saxitoxin concentrations were 85% below the limit of detection (0.02 µg/L). Microcystins concentrations were higher in the SLE, while saxitoxin was elevated in the NIRL and BRL. Cytotoxicity related to the presence of microcystins was seen in the SLE during the wet season. No significant patterns between cytotoxicity and saxitoxin were identified. Dissolved nutrients were identified as the most highly related parameters, explaining 53% of microcystin and 47% of saxitoxin variability. Multivariate models suggested cyanobacteria, flagellates, ciliates, and diatoms as the subset of microorganisms whose abundances were maximally correlated with saxitoxin and microcystins concentrations. Lastly, biosynthetic genes for microcystins were detected in the SLE and for saxitoxin in the BRL and NIRL. These results highlight the synergistic roles environmental and biological parameters play in influencing the dynamics of toxin production by harmful algae in the IRL.

An overview of approaches and challenges for retrieving marine inherent optical properties from ocean color remote sensing.

Ocean color measured from satellites provides daily global, synoptic views of spectral waterleaving reflectances that can be used to generate estimates of marine inherent optical properties (IOPs). These reflectances, namely the ratio of spectral upwelled radiances to spectral downwelled irradiances, describe the light exiting a water mass that defines its color. IOPs are the spectral absorption and scattering characteristics of ocean water and its dissolved and particulate constituents. Because of their dependence on the concentration and composition of marine constituents, IOPs can be used to describe the contents of the upper ocean mixed layer. This information is critical to further our scientific understanding of biogeochemical oceanic processes, such as organic carbon production and export, phytoplankton dynamics, and responses to climatic disturbances. Given their importance, the international ocean color community has invested significant effort in improving the quality of satellite-derived IOP products, both regionally and globally. Recognizing the current influx of data products into the community and the need to improve current algorithms in anticipation of new satellite instruments (e.g., the global, hyperspectral spectroradiometer of the NASA Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) mission), we present a synopsis of the current state of the art in the retrieval of these core optical properties. Contemporary approaches for obtaining IOPs from satellite ocean color are reviewed and, for clarity, separated based their inversion methodology or the type of IOPs sought. Summaries of known uncertainties associated with each approach are provided, as well as common performance metrics used to evaluate them. We discuss current knowledge gaps and make recommendations for future investment for upcoming missions whose instrument characteristics diverge sufficiently from heritage and existing sensors to warrant reassessing current approaches.

Measurement uncertainties in PSICAM and reflective tube absorption meters.

The nature and magnitude of measurement uncertainties (precision and accuracy) associated with two approaches for measuring absorption by turbid waters (b(532 nm) ranging from 0.20 m-1 to 22.89 m-1) are investigated here: (a) point source integrating cavity absorption meters (PSICAM), and (b) reflective tube absorption meters (AC-9 and AC-s - both WET Labs Inc., USA). Absolute measurement precision at 440 nm was quantified using standard deviations of triplicate measurements for the PSICAM and de-trended, bin averaged time series for the AC-9/s, giving comparable levels (< 0.006 m-1) for both instruments. Using data collected from a wide range of UK coastal waters, PSICAM accuracy was assessed by comparing both total non-water absorption and absorption by coloured dissolved organic material (CDOM) measured on discrete samples by two independent PSICAMs. AC-9/s performance was tested by comparing total non-water absorption measured in situ by an AC-9 and an AC-s mounted on the same frame. Results showed that the PSICAM outperforms AC-9/s instruments with regards to accuracy, with average spread in the PSICAM total absorption data of 0.006 m-1 (RMSE) compared to 0.028 m-1 for the AC-9/s devices. Despite application of a state of the art scattering correction method, the AC-9/s instruments still tend to overestimate absorption compared to PSICAM data by on average 0.014 m-1 RMSE (AC-s) and 0.043 m-1 RMSE (AC-9). This remaining discrepancy can be largely attributed to residual limitations in the correction of AC-9/s data for scattering effects and limitations in the quality of AC-9/s calibration measurements.

Evaluation of a flow cytometry method to determine size and real refractive index distributions in natural marine particle populations.

A flow cytometric (FC) method was developed to retrieve particle size distributions (PSDs) and real refractive index (nr) information in natural waters. Geometry and signal response of the sensors within the flow cytometer (CytoSense, CytoBuoy b.v., Netherlands) were characterized to form a scattering inversion model based on Mie theory. The procedure produced a mesh of diameter and nr isolines where each particle is assigned the diameter and nr values of the closest node, producing PSDs and particle real refractive index distributions. The method was validated using polystyrene bead standards of known diameter and polydisperse suspensions of oil with known nr, and subsequently applied to natural samples collected across a broad range of UK shelf seas. FC PSDs were compared with independent PSDs produced from data of two LISST-100X instruments (type B and type C). PSD slopes and features were found to be consistent between the FC and the two LISST-100X instruments, but LISST concentrations were found in disagreement with FC concentrations and with each other. FC nr values were found to agree with expected refractive index values of typical marine particle components across all samples considered. The determination of particle size and refractive index distributions enabled by the FC method has potential to facilitate identification of the contribution of individual subpopulations to the bulk inherent optical properties and biogeochemical properties of the particle population.

Evidence for ubiquitous preferential particle orientation in representative oceanic shear flows.

In situ measurements were undertaken to characterize particle fields in undisturbed oceanic environments. Simultaneous, co-located depth profiles of particle fields and flow characteristics were recorded using a submersible holographic imaging system and an acoustic Doppler velocimeter, under different flow conditions and varying particle concentration loads, typical of those found in coastal oceans and lakes. Nearly one million particles with major axis lengths ranging from ∼14 µm to 11.6 mm, representing diverse shapes, sizes, and aspect ratios were characterized as part of this study. The particle field consisted of marine snow, detrital matter, and phytoplankton, including colonial diatoms, which sometimes formed "thin layers" of high particle abundance. Clear evidence of preferential alignment of particles was seen at all sampling stations, where the orientation probability density function (PDF) peaked at near horizontal angles and coincided with regions of low velocity shear and weak turbulent dissipation rates. Furthermore, PDF values increased with increasing particle aspect ratios, in excellent agreement with models of spheroidal particle motion in simple shear flows. To the best of our knowledge, although preferential particle orientation in the ocean has been reported in two prior cases, our findings represent the first comprehensive field study examining this phenomenon. Evidence of nonrandom particle alignment in aquatic systems has significant consequences to aquatic optics theory and remote sensing, where perfectly random particle orientation and thus isotropic symmetry in optical parameters is assumed. Ecologically, chain-forming phytoplankton may have evolved to form large aspect ratio chains as a strategy to optimize light harvesting.

Assessing uncertainties in scattering correction algorithms for reflective tube absorption measurements made with a WET Labs ac-9.

In situ absorption measurements collected with a WET Labs ac-9 employing a reflective tube approach were scatter corrected using several possible methods and compared to reference measurements made by a PSICAM to assess performance. Overall, two correction methods performed best for the stations sampled: one using an empirical relationship between the ac-9 and PSICAM to derive the scattering error (ε) in the near-infrared (NIR), and one where ε was independently derived from concurrent measurements of the volume scattering function (VSF). Application of the VSF-based method may be more universally applicable, although difficult to routinely apply because of the lack of commercially available VSF instrumentation. The performance of the empirical approach is encouraging as it relies only on the ac meter measurement and may be readily applied to historical data, although there are inevitably some inherent assumptions about particle composition that hinder universal applicability. For even the best performing methods, residual errors of 20% or more were commonly observed for many water types. For clear ocean waters, a conventional baseline subtraction with the assumption of negligible near-IR absorption performed as well or better than the above methods because propagated uncertainties were lower than observed with the proportional method.

Vertically- resolved phytoplankton carbon and net primary production from a high spectral resolution lidar.

Passive ocean observing sensors are unable to detect subsurface structure in ocean properties, resulting in errors in water column integrated phytoplankton biomass and net primary production (NPP) estimates. Active lidar (light detection and ranging) sensors make quantitative measurements of depth-resolved backscatter (bbp) and diffuse light attenuation (Kd) coefficients in the ocean and can provide critical measurements for biogeochemical models. Sub-surface phytoplankton biomass, light, chlorophyll, and NPP fields were characterized using both in situ measurements and coincident airborne high spectral resolution lidar (HSRL-1) measurements collected as part of the SABOR (Ship-Aircraft Bio-Optical Research) field campaign. We found that depth-resolved data are critical for calculating phytoplankton stocks and NPP, with improvements in NPP estimates up to 54%. We observed strong correlations between coincident HSRL-1 and in situ IOP measurements of both bbp (r = 0.94) and Kd (r = 0.90).

Assessing the link between chlorophyll concentration and absorption line height at 676 nm over a broad range of water types.

The relationship between absorption at 676 nm normalized to chlorophyll-a, i.e., specific absorption aph*(676), and various optical and environmental properties is examined in extensive data sets from Case I and Case II waters found globally to assess drivers of variability such as pigment packaging. A better understanding of this variability could lead to more accurate estimates of chlorophyll concentrations from in situ optical measurements that may be made autonomously. Values of aph*(676) ranged from 0.00006 to 0.0944 m2/mg Chl a across all sites studied, but converged on median and mean values (n = 563) of 0.0108 and 0.0139 m2/mg Chl a respectively, with no apparent relationship with various optical properties, latitude, coastal or open ocean environment, depth, temperature, salinity, photoadaptation, ecosystem health, or albedo. Relative consistency in aph* across such diverse water types and the full range in chlorophyll concentration suggests a single aph* may be used to estimate chlorophyll concentration from absorption measurements with better accuracy than currently thought.

Polarimetric imaging and retrieval of target polarization characteristics in underwater environment.

Polarized light fields contain more information than simple irradiance and such capabilities provide an advanced tool for underwater imaging. The concept of the beam spread function (BSF) for analysis of scalar underwater imaging was extended to a polarized BSF which considers polarization. The following studies of the polarized BSF in an underwater environment through Monte Carlo simulations and experiments led to a simplified underwater polarimetric imaging model. With the knowledge acquired in the analysis of the polarimetric imaging formation process of a manmade underwater target with known polarization properties, a method to extract the inherent optical properties of the water and to retrieve polarization characteristics of the target was explored. The proposed method for retrieval of underwater target polarization characteristics should contribute to future efforts to reveal the underlying mechanism of polarization camouflage possessed by marine animals and finally to generalize guidelines for creating engineered surfaces capable of similar polarization camouflage abilities in an underwater environment.

Open-ocean fish reveal an omnidirectional solution to camouflage in polarized environments.

Despite appearing featureless to our eyes, the open ocean is a highly variable environment for polarization-sensitive viewers. Dynamic visual backgrounds coupled with predator encounters from all possible directions make this habitat one of the most challenging for camouflage. We tested open-ocean crypsis in nature by collecting more than 1500 videopolarimetry measurements from live fish from distinct habitats under a variety of viewing conditions. Open-ocean fish species exhibited camouflage that was superior to that of both nearshore fish and mirrorlike surfaces, with significantly higher crypsis at angles associated with predator detection and pursuit. Histological measurements revealed that specific arrangements of reflective guanine platelets in the fish's skin produce angle-dependent polarization modifications for polarocrypsis in the open ocean, suggesting a mechanism for natural selection to shape reflectance properties in this complex environment.

Lidar extinction-to-backscatter ratio of the ocean.

Bio-optical models are used to develop a model of the lidar extinction-to-backscatter ratio applicable to oceanographic lidar. The model is based on chlorophyll concentration, and is expected to be valid for Case 1 waters. The limiting cases of narrow- and wide-beam lidars are presented and compared with estimates based on in situ optical measurements. Lidar measurements are also compared with the model using in situ or satellite estimates of chlorophyll concentration. A modified lidar ratio is defined, in which the properties of pure sea water are removed. This modified ratio is shown to be nearly constant for wide-beam lidar operating in low-chlorophyll waters, so accurate inversion to derive extinction and backscattering is possible under these conditions. This ratio can also be used for lidar calibration.

Benthic effects on the polarization of light in shallow waters.

Measurements of the upwelling polarized radiance in relatively shallow waters of varying depths and benthic conditions are compared to simulations, revealing the depolarizing nature of the seafloor. The simulations, executed with the software package RayXP, are solutions to the vector radiative transfer equation, which depends on the incident light field and three types of parameters: inherent optical properties, the scattering matrix, and the benthic reflectance. These were measured directly or calculated from measurements with additional assumptions. Specifically, the Lambertian model used to simulate benthic reflectances is something of a simplification of reality, but the bottoms used in this study are found to be crucial for accurate simulations of polarization. Comparisons of simulations with and without bottom contributions show that only the former corroborate measurements of the Stokes components and the degree of linear polarization (DoLP) collected by the polarimeter developed at the City College of New York. Because this polarimeter is multiangular and hyperspectral, errors can be computed point-wise over a large range of scattering angles and wavelengths. Trends also become apparent. DoLP is highly sensitive to the benthic reflectance and to the incident wavelength, peaking in the red band, but the angle of linear polarization is almost spectrally constant and independent of the bottom. These results can thus facilitate the detection of benthic materials as well as future studies of camouflage by benthic biota; to hide underwater successfully, animals must reflect light just as depolarized as that reflected by benthic materials.

Measurements and simulations of polarization states of underwater light in clear oceanic waters.

Polarization states of the underwater light field were measured by a hyperspectral and multiangular polarimeter and a video polarimeter under various atmospheric, surface, and water conditions, as well as solar and viewing geometries, in clear oceanic waters near Port Aransas, Texas. Some of the first comprehensive comparisons were made between the measured polarized light, including the degree and angle of linear polarization and linear Stokes parameters (Q and U), and those from Monte Carlo simulations that used concurrently measured water inherent optical properties and particle volume scattering functions as input. For selected wavelengths in the visible spectrum, measured and model-simulated polarization characteristics were found to be consistent in most cases. Measured degree and angle of linear polarization are found to be largely determined by an in-water single-scattering model. Model simulations suggest that the degree of linear polarization (DoLP) at horizontal viewing directions is highly dependent on the viewing azimuth angle for a low solar elevation. This implies that animals can use the DoLP signal for orientation.

Platform effects on optical variability and prediction of underwater visibility.

We present hydrographic and optical data collected concurrently from two different platforms, the R/P FLoating Instrument Platform and the R/V Kilo Moana, located about 2km apart in the Santa Barbara Channel in California. We show that optical variability between the two platforms was due primarily to platform effects, specifically the breakdown of stratification from mixing by the hull of R/P FLIP. Modeled underwater radiance distribution differed by as much as 50% between the two platforms during stratified conditions. We determine that the observed optical variability resulted in up to 57% differences in predicted horizontal visibility of a black target.

Angular shape of the oceanic particulate volume scattering function in the backward direction.

Analysis of several million particulate volume scattering functions (VSFs) from different field sites around the world's oceans and coastlines revealed that the shape of the VSF in the backward direction was remarkably consistent (5% or less variability at angles between 90 degrees and 170 degrees ). In agreement with theoretical models and past field measurements, the variability of the VSF shape (the VSF normalized to the backscattering coefficient) was found to be lowest between 110 degrees and 120 degrees . This study concludes that under most oceanic conditions, estimates of the particulate backscattering coefficient, using single angle scattering measurements near 110 degrees to 120 degrees and suitable conversion factors, are justified and should have a maximum uncertainty of less than a few percent once instrument noise is accounted for.

Scattering by solutions of major sea salts.

Increased scattering by seawater relative to that by pure water is primarily due to additional fluctuation of the refractive index contributed by sea salts. Salts with different ionic weight and sizes, while barely affecting the scattering that is due to density fluctuations, have a significant effect on the scattering that is due to concentration fluctuations. And this explains the major differences of their total scattering that would be observed. Scattering by solutions of NaCl, the major sea salt, is consistently about 6.7% and 4% lower than seawater of the same mass concentration and of the same refractive index, respectively. Because of ionic interactions, the molecular scattering does not follow the simple addition rule that applies to bulk inherent optical properties, with the total less than the summation of the parts. The possible values of scattering by waters of, such as, Dead Sea or Orca Basin, which have different salt composition from seawater, are discussed.

Spectra of particulate backscattering in natural waters.

Hyperspectral profiles of downwelling irradiance and upwelling radiance in natural waters (oligotrophic and mesotrophic) are combined with inverse radiative transfer to obtain high resolution spectra of the absorption coefficient (a) and the backscattering coefficient (b(b)) of the water and its constituents. The absorption coefficient at the mesotrophic station clearly shows spectral absorption features attributable to several phytoplankton pigments (Chlorophyll a, b, c, and Carotenoids). The backscattering shows only weak spectral features and can be well represented by a power-law variation with wavelength (lambda): b(b) approximately lambda(-n), where n is a constant between 0.4 and 1.0. However, the weak spectral features in b(b)b suggest that it is depressed in spectral regions of strong particle absorption. The applicability of the present inverse radiative transfer algorithm, which omits the influence of Raman scattering, is limited to lambda < 490 nm in oligotrophic waters and lambda < 575 nm in mesotrophic waters.

Polarized light in coastal waters: hyperspectral and multiangular analysis.

Measurements of the underwater polarized light field were performed at different stations, atmospheric conditions and water compositions using a newly developed hyperspectral and multiangular polarimeter during a recent cruise in the coastal areas of New York Harbor - Sandy Hook, NJ region (USA). Results are presented for waters with chlorophyll concentrations 1.3-4.8 microg/l and minerals concentrations 2.0- 3.9 mg/l. Angular and spectral variations of the degree of polarization are found to be consistent with theory. Maximum values of the degree of polarization do not exceed 0.4 and the position of the maximum is close to 100 masculine scattering angle. Normalized radiances and degrees of polarization are compared with simulated ones obtained with a Monte Carlo radiative transfer code for the atmosphere-ocean system and show satisfactory agreement.