Deriving the Vertical Variations in the Diffuse Attenuation Coefficient of Photosynthetically Available Radiation in the North Pacific Ocean from Remote Sensing

Diffuse attenuation coefficient of photosynthetically available radiation (PAR), KPAR, is a key product ocean color remote sensing. Current algorithms generally detect only the average KPAR within one optical depth, KPARRS. Due to marked vertical variations knowledge KPARRS insufficient accurately evaluate submarine light field. By using field in situ observations, two-step approach, based on development an algorithm for and relationships between from surface down depth Z (K¯PARZ), was developed remotely estimate K¯PARZ North Pacific MODerate-resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) imagery. The root mean square difference log(K¯PARZ) depths euphotic zone around ±0.059 (in unit m−1 K¯PARZ), which corresponded deviation ±15% estimated penetration PAR. Our study may provide promising approach underwater PAR distributions Ocean.