Photographic Detection of Scattering Light of Suspended Solids in the Sea

Abstract

An imaging tool is proposed to research marine environment in science teaching. It is for usage of digital cameras in housing underwater. Analyzed format is JPEG, in which RGB intensity is digitized in 8 bits. The intensity relates wavelength dependence in the bandwidth of RGB. We extract information from the dependence, and investigate absorption, scattering, and reflection in the water. Ratio index for wavelength dependence is discussed, which is easy for students to understand. Next, using the idea of the index, Ratio-RGB image is defined and discussed. The image is introduced for visualizing suspended solids in the sea. The environment in the sea is displayed using the Ratio-RGB images. Turbulence of scattering light layers, distribution of fishes, and small marine biology are detected clearly. The approach enables understanding of conditions in the sea visually.