The effect of particles on light scattering in the sea

Abstract

Abstract:Relationships of light scattering to particle concentration and size distribution were experimentally determined to follow theoretical findings, both in laboratory suspensions and in a variety of conditions in the natural marine environment. Confirmation was obtained by electronic particle counts paired with scattering measurements that light scattering provides a measure of concentration of particle cross-section in the sea. The use of light scattering as a measure of particle bulk concentration is shown to require constancy of the distribution of particle size, which is met under prescribed circumstances in the upper part of the sea.A simple test can indicate the constancy of the size distribution. A tentative estimate is made of the effect particles have on the inherent properties of open ocean water.