Light scattering and suspended matter in nepheloid layers

Abstract

During 1969 and 1970 measurements of light scattering and particle size distributions were made at 46 stations in the North Pacific, the eastern equatorial Pacific, and the North Atlantic. Light scattering was measured in vitro with a Brice-Phoenix light scattering photometer and in situ with a nephelometer developed at Oregon State University. The size distribution of suspended particles with diameters greater than 2.22 μ was measured with a Coulter counter. Nepheloid layers with thicknesses of up to 930 meters were observed at 38 of the 46 stations. Except for greater total concentrations, particle size distributions of material obtained from within the layers were indistinguishable from those obtained from the clearer water above. Statistical analysis shows positive correlation between light scattering and particle concentration.