Light scattering and size distribution of particles in the surface waters of the North Pacific Ocean

Abstract

The volume scattering function and size distribution of suspended particles in the surface water were determined in the North Pacific. The relationship between the scattering coefficient estimated from observed volume scattering function and cross-section concentration of the particles greater than 2.4μm in diameter was found to be linear in both northern and southern regions of central North Pacific. Difference in the constant of proportionality between two regions, however, was very great. Moreover the constant in the southern region was too large compared with the values obtained by the Mie theory. This is considered to be due to the fact that particles smaller than 2.4μm which were not measureable by the Coulter Counter, were neglected in the calculation of cross-section concentration. If small particles are taken into consideration, total cross-section concentration and scattering coefficient in the two regions tend to follow a linear relation. From the correlation between the scattering coefficient computed from size distribution and the volume scattering function, the refractive index of particles was estimated to be 1.03–1.05. By the same procedure, the refractive index of particles in Tateyama Harbour where the water was very turbid, was estimated to be also 1.03–1.05. This is in contrast to the result for the refractive index of particles originating from the river which flows into the harbour. This index was found to be 1.10–1.20.