Characterization of underwater scattering layers based on variance components of LiDAR backscattering

Martin A Montes; Anni K Vuorenkoski; Fraser R Dalgleish; Bing Ouyang

doi:10.1364/OE.27.0A1084

Characterization of underwater scattering layers based on variance components of LiDAR backscattering

Opt Express. 2019 Aug 5;27(16):A1084-A1108. doi: 10.1364/OE.27.0A1084.

Authors

Martin A Montes, Anni K Vuorenkoski, Fraser R Dalgleish, Bing Ouyang

PMID: 31510493
DOI: 10.1364/OE.27.0A1084

Abstract

Range-resolved detection of submerged scattering layers was investigated in the Gulf of Mexico based on vertical profiles made with a LiDAR (Light detection and range) system having a green laser (wavelength λ = 532 nm). The backscattering power (S_d) variability was decomposed in principal components (PCs) and related to non-polarized S_d, the S_d ratio between cross- and co-polarized waveforms, the chlorophyll-a fluorescence (Fchl), and the ratio between volume scattering angles of 150° and 100°. The variance of PCs was dominated by non-polarized S_d followed by Fchl. Correlation between PC1 scores and Fchl anomalies suggested that S_d was mainly originated from pigmented particulates.