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Data Report for Calibration of a Bio-Optical Model for Narragansett Bay
Citation:
Thursby, G., S. Rego, AND D. Keith. Data Report for Calibration of a Bio-Optical Model for Narragansett Bay. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-15/211, 2015.
Impact/Purpose:
The data contained in this report supports the development of calibration curves for the use of a bio-optical model for Narragansett Bay, RI. The calibration will support research evaluating the applicability of a bio-optical model for light quantity in establishing depth limits for seagrass in the Bay. The availability of calibration data minimizes the need for costly direct measurements of light absorption and scattering—relying instead on simple measured or modeled values of chlorophyll a, colored dissolved organic matter, and total suspended solids.
Description:
Bio-optical models describe the quality and quantity of the light field at various depths in the water column. The absorption and scattering of light within the water column are wavelength dependent. The behavior of light also varies depending on the specific dissolved and particulate constituents in the water column, making local (or at least regional) calibration of such models necessary. This report provides the calibration data specific for Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, relative to absorption by colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM), non-algal particles (NAP) and phytoplankton, and total backscattering. With the calibration in place, information on the concentration of CDOM, total suspended solids and chlorophyll a is all that is needed in order to calculate the light for any depth for sites those parameters represent.