Backscattering By Particles Of Sizes <0.2 Μm In Seawater

Authors

• Xiaodong Zhang, The University of Southern MississippiFollow
• Yuanheng Xiong, The University of Southern Mississippi

Document Type

Letter to the Editor

Publication Date

5-28-2026

Department

Marine Science

School

Ocean Science and Engineering

Abstract

We measured the angular scattering functions at 517 nm in different size fractions, including bulk and very small particles (VSP for diameters <0.2 μm), in a variety of waters ranging from coasts to open oceans and from surface to depths as deep as 3,000 m. The measurements revealed a strong covariation in backscattering between VSP and bulk particle populations. The fractional contribution by VSP decreases from 60% in clear oceanic water where bulk particle backscattering coefficient bbp is on the order of 0.001 m⁻¹ to <2% in turbid coastal water where bbp ∼0.1 m⁻¹. An empirical model is developed (r² = 0.89) to estimate bbp for VSP from the bulk bbp, which can now be routinely obtained from satellite observations.

Publication Title

Geophysical Research Letters

Volume

53

Issue

10

Recommended Citation

Zhang, X., Xiong, Y. (2026). Backscattering By Particles Of Sizes <0.2 Μm In Seawater. Geophysical Research Letters, 53(10).
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/22119