Shape of Particle Backscattering In the North Pacific Ocean: The χ Factor
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2-10-2021
Department
Marine Science
School
Ocean Science and Engineering
Abstract
Volume scattering functions were measured using two instruments in waters near the Ocean Station Papa (50°N 145°W) and show consistency in estimating the χ factor attributable to particles (χp) While χp in the study area exhibits a limited variability, it could vary significantly when compared with data obtained in various parts of the global oceans. The global comparison also confirms that the minimal variation of χp is at scattering angles near 120°. With an uncertainty of <10%, χp can be assumed as spectrally independent. For backscatter sensors with wide field of view (FOV), the averaging of scattering within the FOV reduces the values of χp needed to compute the backscattering coefficient by up to 20% at angles <130°.
Publication Title
Applied Optics
Volume
60
Issue
5
First Page
1260
Last Page
1266
Recommended Citation
Zhang, X.,
Hu, L.,
Gray, D.,
Xiong, Y.
(2021). Shape of Particle Backscattering In the North Pacific Ocean: The χ Factor. Applied Optics, 60(5), 1260-1266.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/18901