Polarization and Albedo

SCHWERDTFEGER1 has recently directed attention to the mechanism underlying the dependence of short-wave or optical albedo on solar elevation and the presence or absence of cloud cover. He cites as one of the major causes of this dependence the polarization of incident radiation (solar) on reflexion at terrestrial surfaces. The few comments made here are intended to bring out the rather involved interrelation between polarization and albedo, which plays a very prominent part in the solution of radiant -energy transfer problems in the Earth's atmosphere.