Variations in bio-optical properties in the Greenland/Iceland/Norwegian-Seas

Diffuse attenuation coefficients for spectral irradiance Kd((Zeta) (lambda) ) and the total Chl (alpha) + Pheo (alpha) pigment-specific absorption of light by particles ((alpha) p*((lambda) ), algae + detritus), were determined during two cruises (Cardeep 2 and 3) in the Greenland/Iceland/Norwegian (GIN)-Seas. The pigment (Chl (alpha) + Pheo (alpha) ) specific attenuation coefficient Kd*((lambda) ) was compared with Morel's non-linear model for light propagation of solar energy in the ocean and with the pigment specific absorption coefficient by particles, (alpha) p*. Our Kd*((lambda) ) spectrum for the GIN-Seas was in good agreement with values derived from Morel's model for pigment specific light attenuation for 1 mg (Chl (alpha) + Pheo (alpha) ) m-3 for wavelengths in the blue part of the spectrum. Kd*((lambda) ) (apparent optical property) and ap*((lambda) ) (inherent optical property), were in good agreement except at wavelengths > 665 and < 441 nm. This was only true for the (alpha) p*((lambda) ) spectra for which the optical density from 750 - 800 nm was not subtracted.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.