Open AccessLidar extinction-to-backscatter ratio of the ocean
Author(s) -
James H. Churnside,
James Sullivan,
Michael Twardowski
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.22.018698
Subject(s) - lidar , remote sensing , backscatter (email) , environmental science , extinction (optical mineralogy) , optics , calibration , molar absorptivity , satellite , materials science , geology , physics , telecommunications , quantum mechanics , astronomy , computer science , wireless
Bio-optical models are used to develop a model of the lidar extinction-to-backscatter ratio applicable to oceanographic lidar. The model is based on chlorophyll concentration, and is expected to be valid for Case 1 waters. The limiting cases of narrow- and wide-beam lidars are presented and compared with estimates based on in situ optical measurements. Lidar measurements are also compared with the model using in situ or satellite estimates of chlorophyll concentration. A modified lidar ratio is defined, in which the properties of pure sea water are removed. This modified ratio is shown to be nearly constant for wide-beam lidar operating in low-chlorophyll waters, so accurate inversion to derive extinction and backscattering is possible under these conditions. This ratio can also be used for lidar calibration.