Abstract

A method was developed for determining the spatial distribution of a source from downward and upward irradiance measurements at a single wavelength in seawater of known optical properties. The algorithm uses measurements at two depths located an arbitrary distance apart and solves two nonlinear equations for two parameters that fit a globally exponential or linear source shape. Complex spatially dependent source shapes can be estimated from an irradiance profile by piecing together estimates from neighboring measurement pairs. Numerical tests illustrate the sensitivity of the algorithm to depth, measurement spacing, chlorophyll concentration, sensor noise, and uncertainty in the a priori assumed inherent optical properties. The algorithm works well with widely spaced measurements, moderate sensor noise, and uncertainties in the optical properties regardless of whether the assumed and true profiles are the same shape.

© 1998 Optical Society of America

Ocean source and optical property estimation from explicit and implicit algorithms

Zheng Tao, N. J. McCormick, and R. Sanchez
Appl. Opt. 33(15) 3265-3275 (1994)

Bioluminescence estimation from ocean in situ irradiances

H. C. Yi, R. Sanchez, and N. J. McCormick
Appl. Opt. 31(6) 822-830 (1992)

Ocean inherent optical property estimation from irradiances

Robert A. Leathers and Norman J. McCormick
Appl. Opt. 36(33) 8685-8698 (1997)

Radiative transfer two-stream shape factors for ocean optics

N. J. McCormick and P. W. Francisco
Appl. Opt. 34(27) 6248-6255 (1995)

Asymptotic optical depths in source-free ocean waters

Brian D. Piening and Norman J. McCormick
Appl. Opt. 42(27) 5382-5387 (2003)