Project Title:

A Combined Optical Property Sensor for In Situ Characterization of Ocean Waters

92-1-08.14-5650                                                   NAS05-32448
A Combined Optical Property Sensor for In Situ
     Characterization of Ocean Waters
Western Environmental Technology Laboratories, Inc.
P.O. Box 518
Philomath, OR  97370
Casey Moore                                          (503-929-5650)

Abstract:

     This project addresses the need for better tools to determine
of the fundamental optical properties and bio-geochemical
composition of ocean waters. Global climate changes, widespread
pollution, and increased ocean resource extraction have created an
unprecedented need to better understand global ocean processes.
With the advent of satellite-based remote sensing of ocean color,
scientists now have a viable tool for the global study of the
oceans. However, in order to correlate, interpret, and calibrate
information from the remotely sensed data, a new class of in situ
optical sensors are required. This project will develop a single
sensor package to measure spectral downwelling irradiance,
upwelling radiance, absorption, backscattering, and beam
attenuation. Phase I will test a bundled optical package and
design a tightly coupled inline instrument to be developed as the
Phase II objective. The Phase II instrument will be designed for
deployment on shipboard and towed profiling and moored
applications.

Potential Commercial Application:

Potential Commercial Applications:  Commercial applications
include satellite remote sensing, calibration, and validation;
environmental research and surveying; oceanic waste disposal
studies; engineering turbidity studies; mine tailing disposal
monitoring and other environmental turbidity studies; underwater
lidar communications; and fundamental ocean optics research.

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