Spectral contributions of the components of seawater to the beam attenuation coefficient in surface waters of the Mediterranean Sea

2012 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 305-319 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. I. Man’kovsky
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Attenuation Coefficient ◽  
Surface Waters ◽  
Beam Attenuation ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Beam Attenuation Coefficient

scholarly journals Optical Properties and Biochemical Indices of Marine Particles in the Open Mediterranean Sea: The R/V Maria S. Merian Cruise, March 2018

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Spyros Chaikalis ◽  
Constantine Parinos ◽  
Jürgen Möbius ◽  
Alexandra Gogou ◽  
Dimitris Velaoras ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Optical Properties ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Particulate Organic Carbon ◽  
Beam Attenuation ◽  
Median Diameter ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Biochemical Indices ◽  
Beam Attenuation Coefficient

A rich data set on particulate matter optical properties and parameters (beam attenuation coefficient, volume concentration, particle size and PSD slope), accompanied by measurements of biochemical indices (particulate organic carbon, particulate nitrogen and their stable isotopic composition) was obtained from the surface to deep waters across the Mediterranean Sea, in March-April 2018. A decrease of beam attenuation coefficients, total particle volume concentrations, particulate organic carbon and nitrogen concentrations was noted towards the eastern Mediterranean Sea (EMed) in comparison to the western Mediterranean Sea (WMed). LISST-derived optical properties were significantly correlated with water mass characteristics. Overall, the most turbid water mass identified in the Mediterranean Sea was the Surface Atlantic water (AW), and the most transparent was the Transitional Mediterranean Water (TMW) in the Cretan Sea, whereas a general decrease in particulate matter concentration is observed from the WMed towards the EMed. Relatively depleted δ13C-POC values in the particle pool of the open Mediterranean Sea can be attributed to contribution from terrestrial inputs, mainly via atmospheric deposition. Throughout the entire water column, a significant positive correlation between particle beam attenuation coefficient and particulate organic carbon concentration is observed in the open Mediterranean Sea. Such relationship suggests the predominance of organic particles with biogenic origin. POC concentration and particle median diameter D50 are significantly and negatively correlated both in the WMed and the EMed Sea, confirming that small particles are POC-rich. At depth, a prominent decrease of most measured parameters was observed, with the exception of particle median diameter that increased substantially in the EMed towards the deep sea, suggesting potentially enhanced aggregation processes. The low particle size distribution slope ξ observed in the EMed, corresponding to larger particle populations, supports the above notion. Basin-wide Rayleigh-type isotopic fractionation in vertical profiles of δ15N-PN across the Mediterranean Sea, underlines the differences in the trophic characters of the two sub-basins and highlights the role of circulation changes on biogeochemical parameters and the redistribution of particulate matter as a source of nutrients in the water column.

scholarly journals Introduction to the project DUNE, a DUst experiment in a low Nutrient, low chlorophyll Ecosystem

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 12491-12527 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Guieu ◽  
F. Dulac ◽  
C. Ridame ◽  
P. Pondaven
Keyword(s):  
Trace Elements ◽  
Atmospheric Deposition ◽  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Surface Waters ◽  
Carbon Pump ◽  
Mesocosm Experiments ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Atmospheric Inputs ◽  
Oligotrophic Ecosystem ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. The main goal of the project DUNE was to estimate the impact of atmospheric deposition on an oligotrophic ecosystem based on mesocosm experiments simulating strong atmospheric inputs of Aeolian dust. Atmospheric deposition is now recognized as a significant source of macro- and micro-nutrients for the surface ocean, but the quantification of its role on the biological carbon pump is still poorly determined. We proposed in DUNE to investigate the role of atmospheric inputs on the functioning of an oligotrophic system particularly well adapted to this kind of study: the Mediterranean Sea. The Mediterranean Sea – etymologically, sea surrounded by land – is submitted to atmospheric inputs that are very variable both in frequency and intensity. During the thermal stratification period, only atmospheric deposition is prone to fertilize Mediterranean surface waters which has become very oligotrophic due to the nutrient depletion (after the spring bloom). This paper describes the objectives of DUNE and the implementation plan of a series of mesocosms experiments during which either wet or dry and a succession of two wet deposition fluxes of 10 g m−2 of Saharan dust have been simulated. After the presentation of the main biogeochemical initial conditions of the site at the time of each experiment, a general overview of the papers published in this special issue is presented, including laboratory results on the solubility of trace elements in erodible soils in addition to results from the mesocosm experiments. Our mesocosm experiments aimed at being representative of real atmospheric deposition events onto the surface of oligotrophic marine waters and were an original attempt to consider the vertical dimension in the study of the fate of atmospheric deposition within surface waters. Results obtained can be more easily extrapolated to quantify budgets and parameterize processes such as particle migration through a "captured water column". The strong simulated dust deposition events were found to impact the dissolved concentrations of inorganic dissolved phosphorus, nitrogen, iron and other trace elements. In the case of Fe, adsorption on sinking particles yields a decrease in dissolved concentration unless binding ligands were produced following a former deposition input and associated fertilization. For the first time, a quantification of the C export induced by the aerosol addition was possible. Description and parameterization of biotic (heterotrophs and autotrophs, including diazotrophs) and abiotic processes (ballast effect due to lithogenic particles) after dust addition in sea surface water, result in a net particulate organic carbon export in part controlled by the "lithogenic carbon pump".

The vertical structure of the water column according to optical data

2021 ◽  
pp. 245-252
Author(s):  
V.I. Burenkov ◽  
◽  
V.A. Artemiev ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Attenuation Coefficient ◽  
Barents Sea ◽  
Optical Data ◽  
Time Variability ◽  
Beam Attenuation ◽  
The Barents Sea ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
Suspended Matter Concentration ◽  
High Space ◽  
Beam Attenuation Coefficient

Vertical profiles of the beam attenuation coefficient in different regions of the Barents Sea are analyzed. Data obtained show high space-time variability of seawater optical properties. In particular, the area affected by the river inflow (Pechora Sea) is distinguished. Very high values of the beam attenuation coefficient are observed in areas of coccolithophore blooms. There are a number of features associated with the flow of Atlantic waters into the Barents Sea. A close relationship between the seawater beam attenuation coefficient and total suspended matter concentration is shown. The corresponding regression equation is obtained.

Calculating Irradiance Penetration into Water Bodies from the Measured Beam Attenuation Coefficient, II: Application of the Improved Model to Different Types of Lakes

2002 ◽  
Vol 33 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 227-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helgi Arst ◽  
Ants Erm ◽  
Anu Reinart ◽  
Liis Sipelgas ◽  
Antti Herlevi
Keyword(s):  
Attenuation Coefficient ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Water Bodies ◽  
Diffuse Attenuation Coefficient ◽  
Beam Attenuation ◽  
Underwater Light Climate ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Underwater Irradiance ◽  
Beam Attenuation Coefficient

The method suggested earlier for estimating the spectra of diffuse attenuation coefficient of light in the water bodies relying on the beam attenuation coefficient measured from water samples, was improved and applied to different types of lakes. Measurement data obtained in 1994-95 and 1997-98 for 18 Estonian and Finnish lakes were used. The spectra of two characteristics were available for our investigations: 1) beam attenuation coefficient estimated from water samples in the laboratory with a spectrophotometer Hitachi U1000; 2) vertical irradiance (diffuse) attenuation coefficient measured in situ with an underwater spectroradiometer LI 1800UW. A total of 70 spectra were considered. Relying on these data the parameters of our earlier model were changed. The criterion of the efficiency of the new version of our model is the coincidence of the spectra of diffuse attenuation coefficient derived from Hitachi U1000 data (Kdc) with those obtained by underwater irradiance measurements (Kdm). Correlation analysis of the model's results gave the relationship Kdm=1.0023Kdc with correlation coefficient 0.961. The respective values of mean relative difference and standard deviation were 5.4% and 0.55 m−1. This method may be useful in conditions where in situ measuring of underwater irradiance spectra cannot be performed because of weather conditions. As the measurement of the underwater radiation field is often a complicated and expensive procedure, our numerical method may be useful for estimating the underwater light climate.

Turbidity in the northern Great Barrier Reef lagoon in the wet season, March 1989

1994 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 585 ◽  
Author(s):  
LJ Hamilton
Keyword(s):  
Great Barrier Reef ◽  
Attenuation Coefficient ◽  
Quantitative Relation ◽  
Barrier Reef ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Secchi Disc ◽  
Reef Lagoon ◽  
Secchi Disc Depth ◽  
Beam Attenuation ◽  
Beam Attenuation Coefficient

In 1989, a typical wet season was experienced in northern Queensland, with low winds and long calm periods. Turbidity in upper waters of the Great Barrier Reef lagoon broadly had a simple distribution that could be modelled from bottom depth contour values alone, without introducing wind speed or bottom type. In the absence of major storm and cyclone events, this result appears to be general, based on the similarity between March 1989 survey data and Secchi disc climatology. The simple distribution arises because the main turbidity sources are riverine discharges, with little entrainment of bottom sediment into the upper column, except in shallower waters. Fresh, highly turbid riverine influxes are generally confined close inshore, with salinity and Secchi contours parallel to shore, forming cross-shelf gradients. A semi-quantitative relation was found between sea surface colour and Secchi disc depth. Examination of nephelometric turbidity stratification showed that satellite and Secchi data should be more useful for subsurface turbidity inference between Cooktown and Innisfail than in Princess Charlotte Bay, with horizontal and vertical stratifications, respectively, observed in those areas. Highest nephelometric turbidity was seen from Cooktown to Innisfail. Beam attenuation coefficient in oceanic waters outside the reef appeared to be dominated by absorption, with lagoon waters influenced by scattering. A method is suggested to enable approximate transfer of beam attenuation coefficient measured by a transmissometer operating at a single wavelength to beam attenuation coefficient at other wavelengths, using coincident measurements of Secchi disc depths made with filters.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document