Effects of Sediment Microfabric on Benthic Optical Properties
Abstract
LONG-TERM GOALS. The long-term goal of this CoBOP project is to understand how natural inorganic variations in sediment microfabric (e.g., grain size, shape, sorting, composition, and orientation) effect the benthic light signal. Implicit within this is the development of quantitative relationships for these parameters that can be utilized in optical models and in the groundtruthing of optical remote sensing imagery. OBJECTIVES. The efforts of this laboratory for this first (non-field) year of the CoBOP project were directed toward assembling the microspectroradiometer that will be the primary tool of this project for studying inorganic light properties in sediment. After achieving first light , the major objective was to begin laboratory optical measurements of representative sediments obtained from the Monterey Bay and Lee Stocking Island field sites to 1) define how basic inorganic parameters of sediment affect reflectivity of the seabed and transmission of light into the seabed; 2) design a series of field experiments that will test the effects of variations in the significant inorganic properties on the light signal, and will best mesh with the needs and goals of the other CoBOP investigators; and 3) develop field sampling methodology to best make these measurements.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA635215
Entities
People
- Mead A. Allison
Organizations
- Texas A&M University