A Theoretical Study of an Airborne Laser Technique for determining Sea Water Turbidity

Abstract

An airborne laser technique for remote measurement of sea water turbidity is studied theoretically. The limits of validity of an analytic model are established using Monte Carlo simulation computations. It is shown that, if the field of view of the airborne receiver is large enough, the backscatter signal from the water is attenuated at a rate determined by the absorption coefficient of the water. Apart from geometrical factors, the amplitude of the backscatter signal at the water surface depends on the scattering coefficient of the water. The method therefore allows both the absorption and scattering coefficients of water to be determined independently.