Journal of Tropical Oceanography ›› 2013, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (5): 65-72.doi: 10.11978/j.issn.1009-5470.2013.05.009cstr: 32234.14.j.issn.1009-5470.2013.05.009

• Marine Physics • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Progress in measurement techniques of volume scattering function of the ocean

LI Cai, CAO Wen-xi, KE Tian-cun, ZHOU Wen, YANG Yue-zhong, LU Gui-xin, GUO Chao-ying, WANG Gui-fen, SUN Zhao-hua   

  1. State Key Laboratory of Tropical Oceanography (South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Science), Guangzhou 510301, China
  • Received:2012-05-15 Revised:2012-06-13 Online:2013-11-21 Published:2013-11-21

Abstract: The optical volume scattering function (VSF), which describes the angular distribution of light scattered form an incident beam, is a fundamental inherent optical property used in studying upper-ocean heat balance, the photosynthetic productivity of the ocean, and the chemical transformation of photoreactive compounds. It is also a key to current applications concerning the diagnosis of upper-ocean constituents from the inversion of the spectral distribution of upwelling radiance measured from satellite platform. The direct measurement of the VSF is an important but intractable problem, and until now it is still in the exploration and improvement stage. Based on the fundamental principles, this paper summarizes different methods for measuring scattering properties, especially the VSF of the ocean, and the recent progress in the research of scattering properties of sea water and its components based on these different measurement methods at home and abroad. Future research perspective in studying the measurement method of the VSF is discussed in the last part of the paper.

Key words: volume scattering function, scattering property, measurement technique, measurement principle

CLC Number: 

  • P733.3