On the Scattering and the Attenuation of Light in the Sea Water

Abstract

The scattered light in the directions of 45°, 90° and 135° and the attenuated light were measured in the laboratory for the sea water samples taken in and off Maizuru Bay in the Japan Sea. One example is introduced to show the states of optical water mass in these regions. Relations of the scattered light flux in the direction of 90° to that in the directions of 45° and 135° were studied. The change of scattered light flux with the wave-length of light and the relation between the scattering and the attenuation were discussed with Mie scattering theory. It is seen that the average diameter of suspended particles is about 1μ and their refractive index m=1.25, and that the scattering by these particles may take a greater portion in the attenuation of light.