Coastal Mixing and Optics

J. Ronald V. Zaneveld, W. Scott Pegau,
and Emanuel Boss

The purpose of this program is to study the interaction between mixing events and the distribution of optical parameters on the continental shelf. The objectives of the research conducted by the Optical Oceanography group at Oregon State University are to understand:

1. Under what circumstances is the distribution of optical properties and hence radiative transfer determined by physical forcing mechanisms?
2. Are the dissolved and particulate optical components affected differently by mixing?
3. What are the time scales relevant to redistribution of optical properties by mixing?
4. Can the distribution of certain dissolved or particulate optical substances be used as tracers of physical processes?
5. How is the radiative transfer affected by small scale layering of optical properties?

The Coastal Mixing and Optics program is supported by the Office of Naval Research.The site selected for this research is located off Long Island at 40° 30' N, 70° 30' E.

The Optical Oceanography Group participated on two cruises for this program. The first cruise was conducted in August/September 1996. A second cruise was conducted April/May 1997. Other investigators on these cruises include Drs. Gregg (UW), Roesler (UConn), Coble (USF), Sosik (WHOI), Olson (WHOI), Gardner (TAMU), and Walsh (TAMU). The sampling was concentrated at the central CMO site. The SeaSoar Group at OSU was simultaneously collecting horizontal distributions of optical and mixing parameters around the central CMO site.

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Oregon State University
College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences
Environmental Optics - 1999