The backscattering coefficient and its components in the Great Lakes: A review and synthesis

Abstract Backscattering of light by particulates, as quantified by the particulate backscattering coefficient, b bp (m –1 ), is important in regulating the optical signal available for remote sensing. A synthesis of the available information on b bp for the Laurentian Great Lakes is presented to support mechanistic approaches for remote sensing. This includes (1) direct measurements of b bp , (2) characterization of the backscattering attributes of minerogenic particles, (3) partitioning of b bp into contributing minerogenic ( b b,m ) and organic ( b b,o ) components, and (4) development of appropriate cross-sections (mass-specific coefficients) for retrieval of concentrations of backscattering constituents by remote sensing. Levels of b bp were particularly high in the western basin of Lake Erie and Green Bay, Lake Michigan, intermediate levels prevailed in parts of Lake Ontario during a whiting event, and values were substantially lower in the open waters of the upper Great Lakes. Minerogenic backscattering ( b b,m ) is an important component of b bp throughout the system. Clay mineral particles dominate this component, except during whiting events when calcite is dominant. Mie-theory calculations supported estimates of b b,m , and together with particle morphological considerations, guided the development of the optical cross-section for minerogenic particles. The collected data and associated analyses are appropriate to support initiatives to develop and preliminarily test mechanistic remote sensing approaches for the Great Lakes.

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