NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Diffuse reflectance of the ocean - The theory of its augmentation by chlorophyll a fluorescence at 685 nmThe radiative transfer equation is modified to include the effect of fluorescent substances and solved in the quasi-single scattering approximation for a homogeneous ocean containing fluorescent particles with wavelength independent quantum efficiency and a Gaussian shaped emission line. The results are applied to the in vivo fluorescence of chlorophyll a (in phytoplankton) in the ocean to determine if the observed quantum efficiencies are large enough to explain the enhancement of the ocean's diffuse reflectance near 685 nm in chlorophyll rich waters without resorting to anomalous dispersion. The computations indicate that the required efficiencies are sufficiently low to account completely for the enhanced reflectance. The validity of the theory is further demonstrated by deriving values for the upwelling irradiance attenuation coefficient at 685 nm which are in close agreement with the observations.
Document ID
19790048972
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Gordon, H. R.
Date Acquired
August 9, 2013
Publication Date
April 15, 1979
Publication Information
Publication: Applied Optics
Volume: 18
Subject Category
Oceanography
Accession Number
79A32985
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS5-22963
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available