Shipborne oceanic high-spectral-resolution lidar for accurate estimation of seawater depth-resolved optical properties.

Lidar techniques present a distinctive ability to resolve vertical structure of optical properties within the upper water column at both day- and night-time. However, accuracy challenges remain for existing lidar instruments due to the ill-posed nature of elastic backscatter lidar retrievals and multiple scattering. Here we demonstrate the high performance of, to the best of our knowledge, the first shipborne oceanic high-spectral-resolution lidar (HSRL) and illustrate a multiple scattering correction algorithm to rigorously address the above challenges in estimating the depth-resolved diffuse attenuation coefficient Kd and the particulate backscattering coefficient bbp at 532 nm. HSRL data were collected during day- and night-time within the coastal areas of East China Sea and South China Sea, which are connected by the Taiwan Strait. Results include vertical profiles from open ocean waters to moderate turbid waters and first lidar continuous observation of diel vertical distribution of thin layers at a fixed station. The root-mean-square relative differences between the HSRL and coincident in situ measurements are 5.6% and 9.1% for Kd and bbp, respectively, corresponding to an improvement of 2.7-13.5 and 4.9-44.1 times, respectively, with respect to elastic backscatter lidar methods. Shipborne oceanic HSRLs with high performance are expected to be of paramount importance for the construction of 3D map of ocean ecosystem.

Phase function effects on the retrieval of oceanic high-spectral-resolution lidar.

A semianalytic Monte Carlo model is developed to simulate oceanic high-spectral-resolution lidar (HSRL) signals with multiple scattering. The phase function effects on oceanic HSRL retrieval are studied, e.g., the effective particulate 180° volume scattering function (VSF) and lidar attenuation coefficient that describe characteristics of backscatter and attenuation, respectively. The results demonstrate that the particulate backward and forward phase functions both have a significant influence on δ1, which is the relative difference between the effective and true particulate 180° VSF. The values of |δ1| are typically quite small for all phase functions at the water surface and increase with depth up to ~17% for the Fournier and Forand (FF) phase function but up to ~40% for the two-term Henyey-Greenstein (TTHG) phase function and ~75% for the one-term Henyey-Greenstein (OTHG) phase function. The reason that δ1 is not zero is due to broadening of backscattering angles from 180° caused by multiple scattering and uneven backward phase function. Also, the reason that maximum TTHG and OTHG |δ1| are larger than FF is due to less sharply increasing feature of FF in the backward direction. In addition, the particulate forward phase functions are closely related to δ2, which is the relative deviation between the lidar attenuation coefficient and the sum of the absorption and backscattering coefficients. The values of δ2 are small for all phase functions at the water surface and increase with depth up to ~12% for TTHG but up to ~26% for FF and ~31% for OTHG, due to the less peaked forward phase functions that result in more angular spread of the beam with depth and therefore result in less photons within the field of view of the lidar.

Phytoplankton decline in the eastern North Pacific transition zone associated with atmospheric blocking.

Global climate change can significantly influence oceanic phytoplankton dynamics, and thus biogeochemical cycles and marine food webs. However, associative explanations based on the correlation between chlorophyll-a concentration (Chl-a) and climatic indices is inadequate to describe the mechanism of the connection between climate change, large-scale atmospheric dynamics, and phytoplankton variability. Here, by analyzing multiple satellite observations of Chl-a and atmospheric conditions from National Center for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research reanalysis datasets, we show that high-latitude atmospheric blocking events over Alaska are the primary drivers of the recent decline of Chl-a in the eastern North Pacific transition zone. These blocking events were associated with the persistence of large-scale atmosphere pressure fields that decreased westerly winds and southward Ekman transport over the subarctic ocean gyre. Reduced southward Ekman transport leads to reductions in nutrient availability to phytoplankton in the transition zone. The findings describe a previously unidentified climatic factor that contributed to the recent decline of phytoplankton in this region and propose a mechanism of the top-down teleconnection between the high-latitude atmospheric circulation anomalies and the subtropical oceanic primary productivity. The results also highlight the importance of understanding teleconnection among atmosphere-ocean interactions as a means to anticipate future climate change impacts on oceanic primary production.

Quantifying seagrass light requirements using an algorithm to spatially resolve depth of colonization.

Depth of colonization (Zc ) is a useful seagrass growth metric that describes seagrass response to light availability. Similarly, percent surface irradiance at Zc (% SI) is an indicator of seagrass light requirements with applications in seagrass ecology and management. Methods for estimating Zc and % SI are highly variable making meaningful comparisons difficult. A new algorithm is presented to compute maps of median and maximum Zc , Zc, med and Zc,max , respectively, for four Florida coastal areas (Big Bend, Tampa Bay, Choctawhatchee Bay, Indian River Lagoon). Maps of light attenuation (Kd ) based on MODIS satellite imagery, PAR profiles, and Secchi depth measurements were combined with seagrass growth estimates to produce maps of % SI at Zc,med and Zc,max . Among estuary segments, mean Zc,med varied from (±s.e.) 0.80±0.13 m for Old Tampa Bay to 2.33±0.26 m for Western Choctawhatchee Bay. Standard errors for Zc,med were 1-10% of the segment means. Percent SI at Zc,med averaged 18% for Indian River Lagoon (range = 9-24%), 42% for Tampa Bay (37-48%) and 58% for Choctawhatchee Bay (51-75%). Estimates of % SI were significantly lower in Indian River Lagoon than in the other estuaries, while estimates for Tampa Bay and Choctawhatchee Bay were higher than the often cited estimate of 20%. Spatial gradients in depth of colonization and % SI were apparent in all estuaries. The analytical approach could be applied easily to new data from these estuaries or to other estuaries and could be incorporated routinely in assessments of seagrass status and condition.

Satellite observation of particulate organic carbon dynamics in two river-dominated estuaries.

Particulate organic carbon (POC) plays an important role in coastal carbon cycling and the formation of hypoxia. Yet, coastal POC dynamics are often poorly understood due a lack of POC observations and the complexity of coastal hydrodynamic and biogeochemical processes that influence POC sources and sinks. Using a dataset of field observations and satellite ocean color products, we developed a new multiple regression algorithm to derive POC from satellite observations in two river-dominated estuaries in the northern Gulf of Mexico: the Louisiana Continental Shelf (LCS) and Mobile Bay. The algorithm had reliable performance with mean relative error (MRE) of ~40%, and root mean square error (RMSE) of ~50% for MODIS and SeaWiFS images in the two systems. Substantial spatio-temporal variability was observed from satellite on the LCS, with higher POC on the inner shelf (< 10 m depth) and lower POC on the middle (10-50 m depth) and outer shelves (50-200 m depth), and with higher POC in winter (January to March), and lower POC in summer to fall (August to October). Correlation analysis between long-term POC time series and several potential influencing factors indicated that river discharge dominants POC dynamics on the LCS. Wind and surface currents also affect POC spatial patterns on short time scales. This study demonstrates that algorithms that can determine coastal POC from satellites greatly increase the spatial and temporal extent of observations available for characterizing POC dynamics and their relations to various dominant physical forcings to the continental shelf and estuaries.

A hybrid approach to estimate chromophoric dissolved organic matter in turbid estuaries from satellite measurements: a case study for Tampa Bay.

Remote sensing of chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) from satellite measurements for estuaries has been problematic due to optical complexity of estuarine waters and uncertainties in satellite-derived remote sensing reflectance (Rrs, sr(-1)). Here we demonstrate a hybrid approach to combine empirical and semi-analytical algorithms to derive CDOM absorption coefficient at 443 nm (a(g)(443), m(-1)) in a turbid estuary (Tampa Bay) from MODIS Aqua (MODISA) and SeaWiFS measurements. The approach first used a validated empirical algorithm and a modified quasi-analytical algorithm (QAA) to derive chlorophyll-a concentration (Chla, mg m(-3)) and particulate backscattering coefficient at 443 nm (b(bp)(443), m(-1)), respectively, from which phytoplankton pigment and non-algal particulate absorption coefficient at 443 nm (a(ph)(443) and a(d)(443), m(-1)) were derived with pre-determined bio-optical relationships. Then, the modified QAA was used to estimate the total absorption coefficient at 443 nm (a(t)(443), m(-1)). Finally, a(g)(443) was estimated as (a(t)(443) - a(ph)(443) - a(d)(443) - a(w)(443)) where a(w)(443) is the absorption coefficient of pure water (a constant). Using data collected from 71 field stations and 33 near-concurrent satellite-field matchup data pairs covering a large dynamic range (0.3 - 8 m(-1)), the approach showed ~23% RMS uncertainties in retrieving a(g)(443) when in situ Rrs data (N = 71) were used. The same approach applied to satellite Rrs yielded much higher uncertainties of a(g)(443) (~85%) due to large errors in the satellite-retrieved Rrs(443). When the Rrs(443) was derived from the satellite-retrieved Rrs(550) and then used in the hybrid approach, uncertainties in the retrieved a(g)(443) reduced to ~30% (N = 33). Application of the approach to MODISA and SeaWiFS data led to a 15-year time series of monthly mean a(g)(443) distributions in Tampa Bay between 1998 and 2012. This time series showed significant seasonal and annual variations regulated mainly by river discharge. Testing of the approach over another turbid estuary (Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the U.S.) demonstrated the potential (~25% uncertainties for a limited a(g)(443) range) of using this approach to establish long-term environmental data records (EDRs) of CDOM distributions in other estuaries with similar optical complexity.

Specific inherent optical quantities of complex turbid inland waters, from the perspective of water classification.

For optically complex turbid productive waters, the optical behavior of suspended particles is the keynote of characterizing the unordered variations of inherent optical properties (IOPs). Multiple bio-optical measurements and sampling of optically active substances were performed in Lake Taihu, Lake Chaohu, and Lake Dianchi, and Three Gorges reservoir of China, in 2008, 2009, and 2010. On the basis of obtaining adequate observation data, we developed an improved and robust water classification approach, by which complex water conditions were divided into three types, i.e., Type 1 (Normalized Trough Depth at 675 nm, hereafter NTD675, ≥0.092), Type 2 (0 < NTD675 < 0.092), and Type 3 (NTD675 ≤ 0). Furthermore, the specific inherent optical quantities for suspended particles, including the specific absorption coefficient of non-algal particles (a*(nap)), the specific absorption coefficient of phytoplankton (a*(ph)), and the specific scattering coefficient of the suspended particles (b*(p)), were determined for the three classified types of waters. The validation results showed that our proposed values for these specific inherent optical quantities presented relatively high predictive accuracies, with most mean absolute percentage errors (MAPE) near 30%, and more importantly, performed much better than that of non-classified waters. Additionally, relative contributions of phytoplankton and non-algal particles to the total particulate absorption and scattering, as well as the spectra, were also analyzed, and the differences among the three classified types of waters were clarified. Overall, the results obtained in this study provide us with new knowledge for understanding complex varied inherent optical properties of highly turbid productive waters.

[Scattering and backscattering characteristics of Lake Chaohu].

Lake scattering characteristics are of great significance for remotely-sensed retrieval model development. In this study, scattering and backscattering coefficients of Lake Chaohu were observed through AC-S and ECO-BB9 meters, and their spectral properties were correspondingly analyzed. Then Power function is utilized to model particulate scattering and backscattering spectra, and spectral slope parameters obtained by simulation are 0.86 and 3.24, separately. The proposed scattering and backscattering models present relatively low predicative errors. Particulate scattering coefficients are closely related to TSM and ISM, with corresponding correlative coefficients of 0.91 and 0.94. Their relationships can be simulated well through linear function, and further specific scattering coefficients of TSM and ISM were proposed to be 0.636 4 (10(-3) m2 x mg(-1)) and 0.910 8 (10(-3) m2 x mg(-1)). In addition, particulate backscattering ratio in Lake Chaohu has a variation range of 0.003-0.026, and refractive index varies from 1.02 to 1.06, which displays no large variation spans when compared with that in previous studies.

[Optical properties and remote sensing retrieval model of diffuse attenuation coefficient of Taihu Lake water body].

The spectral and chemical analytical data of Taihu Lake water quality in Nov. 8-22, 2007 were used to analyze the spectral characteristics of diffuse attenuation coefficient (Kd) of the water body in autumn and related affecting factors. On the basis of this analysis, the Kd at band 490 nm, Kd (490), was used as a variable to build the relationship between Kd and remote sensing reflectance. The results indicated that within the scope of visible band, the Kd of the water body at most locations of Taihu Lake presented an exponent decreasing trend with the increase of wave length. Due to the higher concentration of phytoplankton in some locations, a peak value of Kd was presented at band 675 nm. Non-organic suspended particles, because of their higher content in suspended sediment, had larger effects on Kd than organic suspended ones. There was a good correlation between Kd and remote sensing reflectance. Taking Rrs (550), Rrs (675) and Rrs (731) as independent variables and doing regression analysis with Kd (490), a good linear relationship was found between Kd (490) and Rrs (731), and multi-variate linear regression analysis using variables Rrs (550), Rrs (675) and Rrs (731) could get better effect (R2 > 0.96) than the regression analysis using variable Rrs (731).

[Characteristics of the diffuse attenuation coefficient and its impact on aquatic ecology environment].

According to the optical property data measured in Taihu Lake at October and November 2006, the characteristics of the diffuse attenuation coeffcient (Kd), the contribution of each factor effecting on Kd and the effect of Kd on the aquatic ecology environment were analyzed. The results indicate that, the diffuse attenuation coefficient Kd of Taihu Lake has two main trends in the whole visible wavelength range (400-700 nm). The first type is that, Kd decreases with the wavelengths by exponential style in the range of less than 571 nm wavelengths, and the second type is that, Kd is in the form of fluctuations in the range of larger than 571 nm wavelengths. In the range of 400-700 nm wavelength, the absorption coefficient of pigment particles is the first contributors of diffuse attenuation coefficient. Non-pigment particles absorption and scattering coefficients is the second contributor, and the rate of contribution of yellow substance is the smallest. The Kd of Taihu Lake determines the light factor of the Taihu water ecosystem. The "water window" shaped by the Kd provides the light base for different kinds of ecosystem and the appearance of Microcystic aentginosa which is the preponderant algae in the "algal blooms" phenomenon.

Light scattering properties and their relation to the biogeochemical composition of turbid productive waters: a case study of Lake Taihu.

Light scattering properties in such a highly turbid productive lake as Lake Taihu in China were examined through 118 samples collected during three cruises in November 2006, March 2007, and November 2007. The particulate scattering and backscattering coefficients were observed using WETLabs AC-S and ECO-BB9. A power model with a spectral exponent of -0.729 was used to simulate the particulate scattering coefficient (b(p)) spectra. It has a better performance than the linear model. Scattering parameters are more closely related to inorganic suspended matter (ISM) concentration than to other water components, such as total suspended matter (TSM), organic suspended matter (OSM), and chlorophyll a (Chla). This indicates that ISM dominates the scattering signal in the lake. Three discrepancies with oceanic/coastal waters are observed: (a) the backscattering ratio (b (bp)) decreases with an increase in the ISM concentration because of a highly strong contribution by ISM to b(p); (b) the mass-specific scattering coefficient (b(p) (m)) exhibits a wider range of variability than that reported in previous studies, which can be attributed to considerable variation in the OSM and ISM distributions; (c) the particle size distribution slope (xi) is mostly larger than 4.0 in Lake Taihu, whereas it is usually within 3.5-4.0 for marine particles. In addition, the bulk refractive index (n (p)) calculated according to the Twardowski et al. model [J. Geophys. Res. 106, 14129 (2001)JGREA20148-0227] indicates that some stations (n (p)<1.07) can be regarded as organic-particle dominant. Other stations with high ISM concentrations have a very small n (p) value mostly within 1.10-1.17. Overall, the knowledge on the scattering properties gained in this study broadens our understanding of water optics in highly turbid productive water columns.

[Seasonal variation of in water constituents' absorption properties in Meiliang Bay of Taihu Lake].

Seasonal variance in absorption properties of water constituents was analyzed and predominant factor of spectrum absorption in different seasons was discussed using the data sets collected in August and November 2006 and March 2007 from Meiliang Bay in Taihu Lake. The results indicate that, the absorption of water constitutions has seasonal variation characteristic. Total suspended sediment has the greatest absorption coefficient in summer, the average absorption at band 440 nm is (7.49 +/- 3.0) m(-1), while the least absorption presents in spring, with average absorption value of (2.86 +/- 0.73) m(-1) at band 440 nm. The total absorption type varies with seasons. Non-algal particle absorption has less seasonal variation than total absorption. The difference of non-algal particle absorption coefficient and slope S were caused by different concentration and composition of non-algal particles. Because of high chlorophyll a concentration, phytoplankton absorption coefficient was great in summer, with average absorption value of (5.49 +/- 3.5) m(-1) at band 675 nm. The average of phytoplankton absorption at band 675 nm in autumn is (2.03 +/- 1.14) m(-1), less than that in summer. The least absorption presents in spring, with average absorption value of (0.62 +/- 0.25) m(-1) at band 675 nm. Difference of chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) concentration and constitution, mainly resulted by different source of CDOM, causes the seasonal variation of its absorption coefficient and slope S value. The predominant absorption factor varies with seasons. In spring and autumn, non-algal particles were the predominant spectrum absorption factor in water, because the concentration of inorganic matter is higher than organic matters in the two seasons. While in summer, phytoplankton becomes the main effect factor of spectrum absorption in water.

[Spatio-temporal distribution of chlorophyll a concentration and its estimation in Taihu Lake].

The temporal and spatial distribution of chlorophyll a concentration in Taihu Lake was analyzed using the data measured from January to October in 2005. Otherwise, chlorophyll a retrieval model was built using the synchronous spectrum data obtained in different season to evaluate the effect of chlorophyll a concentration temporal and spatial variation on the retrieval model. Firstly, temporal distribution of chlorophyll a concentration was analyzed. Then, chlorophyll a concentration was induced by Inverse Distance Weight method. Lastly, the chlorophyll a concentration estimation models based on spring, summer, autumn and different trophic states were built. An obvious spatial-temporal distribution was found for chlorophyll a concentration in Taihu. Chlorophyll a concentration had the maximal value in summer and the minimal value in winter,and the average chlorophyll a concentration was 56.29 microg/L, 13.61 microg/L respectively. Due to the effect of autumn, the average chlorophyll a concentration in autumn was higher than that in spring, and the average chlorophyll a concentration was 26.43 microg/L, 34.78 microg/L respectively. Marked spatial difference for chlorophyll a concentration was found in summer,while in winterthe spatial variation was ambiguous. The spatial variation in autumn was greater than that in spring as influenced by summer. Spatially, the variation in north area was greater than those in the other areas and the south area had less variation during the year. Because of the different chlorophyll a concentration, different season had different retrieval model. Band-ratio had better retrieval result in spring and autumn as there were lower concentration and less variation correspondingly. While in summer, because of the high chlorophyll a concentration and great spatial variation, among the arithmetic built in summer, the differential arithmetic was the optimal model, and the difference of Chl-a concentration retrieval model of different trophic state was minor.

[Scattering characteristics of Taihu Lake and its relationship models with suspended particle concentration].

Water scattering characteristics are closely related to water quality parameters, such as suspended particles and their concentrations. Through the observing system of water inherent optical properties, which were developed by WETlabs Inc, the backscattering and scattering coefficients of Lake Taihu had been obtained in Oct. 2006 and Nov. 2006. Based on analysis of data, the backscattering coefficient spectra model had been established. In addition, the water refraction indexes were computed by backscattering ratio. According to the change scopes of refraction index, the dominant factors of in-water particles were divided into three categories: (1) phytoplankton; (2) inorganic particles; (3) both of the above. By analyzing the correlations between scattering coefficients with inorganic particle, organic particle and total particle concentration, the relationship between scattering coefficient and inorganic particle concentration was simulated well by power function for three different categories respectively.

[Water color parameter spatial distribution character and influence on hygrophyte photosynthesis in Taihu Lake].

Using 64 stations water quality data collected in Taihu Lake, the spatial distribution of water color parameters and euphotic depth was analyzed, and the potential effect on hygrophyte photosynthesis was discussed. The result showed that the most variation was found for Chl a concentration, the value varies from 1.67 microg x L(-1) to 159.94 microg x L(-1), with the standard deviation of 41.03 mg x L(-1). The high Chl a concentration was recorded in Meiliang Bay, Zhushan Lake, Jiapu port and Xiaomei port with obviously spatial variation and compressive isoclines. The spatial variation of total suspended matter (TSM) concentration was lower than that of Chl a with a standard deviation of 31.63 mg x L(-1), and the concentration varies from 6.47 mg x L(-1) to 143.47 mg x L(-1). The high value was found in the area near Dapu port and Xiaomei port, with obviously spatial variation and compressive isoclines. No markedly spatial variation was found for colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) in the whole lake. Euphotic depth was influenced by TSM and Chl a concentrations, while the influence by TSM was greater than that by Chl a. Therefore, the characteristics of spatial distribution for euphotic depth are reverse with TSM.