Outstanding Topics In Ocean Optics

Ocean optics is a branch of oceanography which is firmly embedded in studies of a great variety of ocean science and engineering questions. The interactive nature between radiative transfer of light and various dissolved and particulate constituents of seawater is at the core of ocean optics science and applications. The transfer of radiant solar energy has vital implications to life and climate on Earth, and the large variety of subjects of ocean optics ranges from the subtle problems of physical optics to optical remote sensing towards a better understanding of ocean biology, biogeochemistry and ecosystems and their roles in the Earth's system processes. The intention of this book is to present a collection of papers that generally share a common denominator of frontier topics in ocean optics which are unique, uncommon or outstanding in the literature, and to provide a balanced view of the extraordinary breadth of research in this field. Topics as diverse as measurements and modeling of radiative transfer, light fields, light scattering and polarization, ocean color, benthic optical properties, and the use of optics for characterizing seawater constituents are addressed in this book. The book is expected to be of interest and useful to a broad audience of professional ocean scientists, engineers and advanced students with an interest in ocean optics and applications of optical methods in oceanography.

Ocean optics is a branch of oceanography which is firmly embedded in studies of a great variety of ocean science and engineering questions. The interactive nature between radiative transfer of light and various dissolved and particulate constituents of seawater is at the core of ocean optics science and applications. The transfer of radiant solar energy has vital implications to life and climate on Earth, and the large variety of subjects of ocean optics ranges from the subtle problems of physical optics to optical remote sensing towards a better understanding of ocean biology, biogeochemistry and ecosystems and their roles in the Earth's system processes. The intention of this book is to present a collection of papers that generally share a common denominator of frontier topics in ocean optics which are unique, uncommon or outstanding in the literature, and to provide a balanced view of the extraordinary breadth of research in this field. Topics as diverse as measurements and modeling of radiative transfer, light fields, light scattering and polarization, ocean color, benthic optical properties, and the use of optics for characterizing seawater constituents are addressed in this book. The book is expected to be of interest and useful to a broad audience of professional ocean scientists, engineers and advanced students with an interest in ocean optics and applications of optical methods in oceanography.

Ocean optics is the study of the transmission of light through the ocean and interaction of light with other bodies in water. The sun rays that fall on the ocean water interact with the different dissolved and particulate constituents of the seawater. This interaction is studied using the methods of ocean optics. The information about the interaction of light in water is important for understanding the underwater ecosystems and their functioning. Ocean optics is a branch of oceanography that is engaged in the research on a wide range of issues related with engineering and ocean science. In-situ study of ocean optics is facilitated by using satellite data. This book elucidates the various methods and applications of ocean optics in a multidisciplinary manner. It will also provide interesting topics for research, which interested readers can take up. This book is a resource guide for experts as well as students.

Since the publication of Jerlov's classic volume on optical oceanography in 1968, the ability to predict or model the submarine light field, given measurements of the inherent optical properties of the ocean, has improved to the point that model fields are very close to measured fields. In the last three decades, remote sensing capabilities have fostered powerful models that can be inverted to estimate the inherent optical properties closely related to substances important for understanding global biological productivity, environmental quality, and most nearshore geophysical processes. This volume presents an eclectic blend of information on the theories, experiments, and instrumentation that now characterize the ways in which optical oceanography is studied. Through the course of this interdisciplinary work, the reader is led from the physical concepts of radiative transfer to the experimental techniques used in the lab and at sea, to process-oriented discussions of the biochemical mechanisms responsible for oceanic optical variability. The text will be of interest to researchers and students in physical and biological oceanography, biology, geophysics, limnology, atmospheric optics, and remote sensing of ocean and global climate change.

Ocean optics refers to the study of the interaction sunlight with water and the substances found in water. The research in this area includes the study of sea, lakes, coastal waters, rivers, large ocean basins, and inland waters. Knowledge of ocean optics is required in aquatic remote sensing research for comprehending the information which can be derived from the color of the water, as seen by satellite sensors in space. Ocean optics has been used to investigate topics such as zooplanktons, warming of the upper ocean, and shallow-water habitats (such as coral reefs and seagrass beds). Furthermore, it is applied to study the ocean biological pump as well as marine biogeochemistry. It also uses optical tools for measuring the size spectrum of particles in the ocean. This book contains some path-breaking studies on various topics related to ocean optics. It consists of contributions made by international experts. Students, researchers, experts, and all associated with the study of this field will benefit alike from this book.

Earth’s atmosphere and oceans play individual and interconnected roles in regulating climate and the hydrological system, supporting organisms and ecosystems, and contributing to the well-being of human communities and economies. Recognizing the importance of these two geophysical fluids, NASA designed the Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud and ocean Ecosystems (PACE) mission to bring cutting edge technology to space borne measurements of the atmosphere and ocean. PACE will carry the Ocean Color Instrument (OCI), a radiometer with hyperspectral capability from the ultraviolet through the near-infrared, plus eight discreet shortwave infrared bands. Thus, OCI will measure the broadest solar spectrum of any NASA instrument, to date. PACE’s second instrument will be a Multi-Angle Polarimeter (MAP). MAP will be NASA’s first imaging polarimeter on board a comprehensive Earth science mission. These instruments bring new capability to the science community, but also new challenges. Fundamentals, such as basic radiative transfer models, require review, enhancements and benchmarking in order to meet the needs of the atmosphereocean communities in the PACE era. Both OCI and MAP will bring opportunities to continue heritage climate data records of aerosols and clouds and to advance characterization of these atmospheric constituents with new macrophysical and microphysical parameters. The ability to better characterize atmospheric constituents is a necessity to better separate ocean and atmosphere signals in order to fully realize the potential of PACE measurements for oceanic observations. Atmospheric correction in the PACE era must address the expanded wavelength range and resolution of OCI images, requiring new approaches that go beyond heritage algorithms. This Research Topic encompasses fundamental radiative transfer studies, with application to the atmosphere, ocean or coupled atmosphere-ocean system. It includes remote sensing of aerosols, clouds and trace gases, over ocean or over land, but with particular focus on algorithms that take advantage of OCI’s new capabilities or multi-angle polarimetry. The Research Topic embraces studies of atmospheric correction over ocean including addressing issues of aerosols, cloud masking, foam, bubbles, ice etc., as well as ocean bio-optics and biogeochemical studies taking advantage of the PACE and polarization spectral capabilities.