Hieronymi, Martin and Macke, Andreas (2010) Spatiotemporal underwater light field fluctuations in the open ocean. Journal of the European Optical Society - Rapid publications, 5 (100195). DOI 10.2971/jeos.2010.10019s.

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Abstract

The light availability in the upper layer of the open sea is subject to strong fluctuations due to focusing of surface waves. This paper
shows measurements of downwelling spectral irradiances as well as spatiotemporal light field patterns along the water column. Results
are interpreted with respect to diverse surface waves. Direct wind develops capillary and small gravity waves that affect the light regime
only up to circa 5 m water depth. At high seas and below 5 m depth, light fluctuations can be described more accurately in terms
of sea state parameters such as wave height and period, rather than wind speed. Between 3 m and 25 m water depth, waves with
significant heights of 1.5 m to 2.5 m provoke the strongest intensity fluctuations. In general, fluctuation amplitudes decrease and periods
extend with water depth where the coefficient of variation, CV, is in average four times higher above 2 m compared to 25 m water
depth.

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