Simulation of underwater light is essential for modeling marine ecosystems. A new model of underwater light attenuation is presented and compared with previous models. In situ data collected in Monterey Bay, CA. during September 2006 are used for validation. It is demonstrated that while the new light model is computationally simple and efficient it maintains accuracy and flexibility. When this light model is incorporated into an ecosystem model, the correlation between modeled and observed coastal chlorophyll is improved over an eight-year time period. While the simulation of a deep chlorophyll maximum demonstrates the effect of the new model at depth.

© 2008 Optical Society of America

1. B. Penta and J. J. Walsh, "A one-dimensional ecological model of summer oxygen distributions within the Chukchi Sea," Cont. Shelf Res. 15, 337-356 (1995). [CrossRef]
2. O. Zielinski, O. Llinas, A. Oschlies, and R. Reuter, "Underwater light field and its effect on a one-dimensional ecosystem model at station ESTOC, north of the Canary Islands," Deep Sea Res. 49, 3529-3542 (2002). [CrossRef]
3. B. Penta, "Phytoplankton competition on the West Florida shelf: a simulation analysis with red tide implications," Ph.D. Dissertation, (Univ. So. Fla. 2000).
4. J. J. Walsh, B. Penta, D. A. Dieterle, and W. P. Bissett, " Predictive ecological modeling of harmful algal blooms," Hum. Ecol. Risk Asses. 7, 1369-1383 (2001). [CrossRef]
5. C. D. Mobley, "Hydrolight 3.0 users�?? guide," (SRI Int., Menlo Park, Calif. 1995).
6. Z. Lee, K. Du, R. Arnone, S. Liew, and B. Penta, "Penetration of solar radiation in the upper ocean: a numerical model for oceanic and coastal waters," J. Geophys. Res. 110, C09019 doi:10.1029/2004JC002780 (2005). [CrossRef]
7. B. Penta et al., are preparing a paper to be called "Ecosystem dynamics in the California Current System: analysis from a coupled physical-ecological ocean model."
8. I. Shulman, J. Kindle, P. Martin, S. deRada, J. Doyle, B. Penta, S. Anderson, F. Chavez, J. Paduan, and S. Ramp," Modeling of upwelling/relaxation events with the Navy Coastal Ocean Model," J. Geophys. Res. 112, C06023, doi:10.1029/2006JC003946 (2007). [CrossRef]
9. I. Shulman, J. Kindle, S. deRada, S. Anderson, B. Penta, and P. Martin, "Development of a hierarchy of different resolution models for study U.S. West Coast California Current Ecosystem," in Estuarine and Coastal Modeling, M. L. Spaulding, ed., (Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Estuarine and Coastal Modeling, 2004).
10. M. J. R. Fasham, H. W. Ducklow, and S. M. McKelvie, "A nitrogen-based model of phytoplankton dynamics in the oceanic mixed layer," J. Mar. Res. 48, 591-639 (1991).
11. F. Chai, R. C. Dugdale, T.-H. Peng, F. P. Wilkerson, and R. T. Barber, "One-dimensional ecosystem model of the equatorial Pacific upwelling system. Part I: model development and silicon and nitrogen cycle," Deep Sea Res. II 49, 2713-2745 (2002). [CrossRef]
12. R. M. Hodur, J. Pullen, J. Cummings, X. Hong, J. D. Doyle, P. J. Martin, and M. A. Rennick, "The Coupled Ocean/Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS)," Oceanogr. 15, 88-98 (2002).
13. P. A. Newburger, J. S. Allen, and Y. H. Spitz, "Analysis and comparison of three ecosystem models," J. Geophys. Res. 108, doi:10.1029/2001JC001182 (2003).
14. R. A. Olivieri and F. P. Chavez, "A model of plankton dynamics for the coastal upwelling system of Monterey Bay, California," Deep Sea Res. II 47, 1077-1106 (2000). [CrossRef]
15. M. Fujii, E. Boss, and F. Chai, "The value of adding optics to ecosystem models: a case study," Biogeosciences 4, 817-835 (2007). [CrossRef]
16. R. M. Pope and E. S. Fry, "Absorption spectrum (380-700 nm) of pure water II. Integrating cavity measurements," Appl. Opt. 36, 8710-8723 (1997). [CrossRef]
17. L. Prieur and S. Sathyendranath, "An optical classification of coastal and oceanic waters based on the specific spectral absorption curves of phytoplankton pigments, dissolved organic matter, and other particulate materials," Limnol. Oceanogr. 26, 671-689 (1981). [CrossRef]
18. A. Bricaud, M. Babin, A. Morel, and H. Claustre, "Variability in the chlorophyll-specific absorption coefficients of natural phytoplankton: analysis and parameterization," J. Geophys. Res. 100, 13,321-13,332 (1995). [CrossRef]
19. H. R. Gordon and A. Morel, Remote Assessment of Ocean Color for Interpretation of Satellite Visible Imagery: A Review (Springer, NY, 1983). [CrossRef]
20. A. Morel and S. Maritorena, "Bio-optical properties of oceanic waters: a reappraisal," J. Geophys. Res. 106, 7163-7180 (2001). [CrossRef]
21. J. S. Bartlett, A. M. Ciotti, R. F. Davis, and J. J. Cullen, "The spectral effect of clouds on solar irradiance," J. Geophys. Res. 103, 31,017-31,031 (1998). [CrossRef]
22. S. Sathyendranath and T. Platt, "The spectral irradiance field at the surface and in the interior of the ocean: a model for applications in oceanography and remote sensing," J. Geophys. Res. 93, 9270-9280 (1988). [CrossRef]
23. J. T. O. Kirk, "Volume scattering function, average cosines, and the underwater light field," Limnol. Oceanogr. 36, 455-467 (1991). [CrossRef]
24. J. Berwald, D. Stramski, C. D. Mobley, and D. A. Kiefer, "Influences of absorption and scattering on vertical changes in the average cosine of the underwater light field," Limnol. Oceanogr. 40, 1347-1357 (1995). [CrossRef]
25. www7333.nrlssc.navy.mil
26. J. E. O'Reilly, and 24 Coauthors, SeaWiFS Postlaunch Calibration and Validation Analyses, Part 3. NASA Tech. Memo. 2000-206892, S. B. Hooker and E. R. Firestone, eds., (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center), Vol. 11, pp. 49.
27. Z. Lee, K. L. Carder, and R.A. Arnone, "Deriving inherent optical properties from water color: a multiband quasi-analytical algorithm for optically deep waters," Appl. Opt. 41, 5755-5772 (2002). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
28. L. K. Rosenfeld, F. B. Schwing, N. Garfield, and D. E. Tracy, "Bifurcated flow from an upwelling center: a cold water source for Monterey Bay," Cont. Shelf. Res. 14, 931-964 (1994). [CrossRef]
29. J. E. Cloern, T. S. Schraga, C. B. Lopez, N. Knowles, R. G. Labiosa, and R. Dugdale, "Climate anomalies generate an exceptional dinoflagellate bloom in San Francisco Bay," Geophys. Res. Lett. 32, doi:10.1029/2005GL023321 (2005). [CrossRef]
30. J. K. Jolliff, J. C. Kindle, B. Penta, R. Helber, Z. Lee, I. Shulman, R. Arnone, and C. D. Rowley, "On the relationship between satellite-estimated bio-optical and thermal properties in the Gulf of Mexico," J. Geophys. Res. 113, doi:10.1029/2006JG000373 (2008). [CrossRef]
31. B. A. Hodges and D. L. Rudnick, "Horizontal variability in chlorophyll fluorescence and potential temperature," Deep Sea Res. 53, 1460-1482 (2006). [CrossRef]
32. J. J. Cullen, "The deep chlorophyll maximum: comparing vertical profiles of chlorophyll a," Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 39, 791-803 (1982). [CrossRef]

Appl. Opt.

• R. M. Pope and E. S. Fry, "Absorption spectrum (380-700 nm) of pure water II. Integrating cavity measurements," Appl. Opt. 36, 8710-8723 (1997). [CrossRef]
• Z. Lee, K. L. Carder, and R.A. Arnone, "Deriving inherent optical properties from water color: a multiband quasi-analytical algorithm for optically deep waters," Appl. Opt. 41, 5755-5772 (2002). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Biogeosciences

• M. Fujii, E. Boss, and F. Chai, "The value of adding optics to ecosystem models: a case study," Biogeosciences 4, 817-835 (2007). [CrossRef]

Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci.

• J. J. Cullen, "The deep chlorophyll maximum: comparing vertical profiles of chlorophyll a," Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 39, 791-803 (1982). [CrossRef]

Cont. Shelf Res.

• B. Penta and J. J. Walsh, "A one-dimensional ecological model of summer oxygen distributions within the Chukchi Sea," Cont. Shelf Res. 15, 337-356 (1995). [CrossRef]

Cont. Shelf. Res.

• L. K. Rosenfeld, F. B. Schwing, N. Garfield, and D. E. Tracy, "Bifurcated flow from an upwelling center: a cold water source for Monterey Bay," Cont. Shelf. Res. 14, 931-964 (1994). [CrossRef]

Deep Sea Res.

• B. A. Hodges and D. L. Rudnick, "Horizontal variability in chlorophyll fluorescence and potential temperature," Deep Sea Res. 53, 1460-1482 (2006). [CrossRef]
• O. Zielinski, O. Llinas, A. Oschlies, and R. Reuter, "Underwater light field and its effect on a one-dimensional ecosystem model at station ESTOC, north of the Canary Islands," Deep Sea Res. 49, 3529-3542 (2002). [CrossRef]

Deep Sea Res. II

• R. A. Olivieri and F. P. Chavez, "A model of plankton dynamics for the coastal upwelling system of Monterey Bay, California," Deep Sea Res. II 47, 1077-1106 (2000). [CrossRef]
• F. Chai, R. C. Dugdale, T.-H. Peng, F. P. Wilkerson, and R. T. Barber, "One-dimensional ecosystem model of the equatorial Pacific upwelling system. Part I: model development and silicon and nitrogen cycle," Deep Sea Res. II 49, 2713-2745 (2002). [CrossRef]

Geophys. Res. Lett.

• J. E. Cloern, T. S. Schraga, C. B. Lopez, N. Knowles, R. G. Labiosa, and R. Dugdale, "Climate anomalies generate an exceptional dinoflagellate bloom in San Francisco Bay," Geophys. Res. Lett. 32, doi:10.1029/2005GL023321 (2005). [CrossRef]

Hum. Ecol. Risk Asses.

• J. J. Walsh, B. Penta, D. A. Dieterle, and W. P. Bissett, " Predictive ecological modeling of harmful algal blooms," Hum. Ecol. Risk Asses. 7, 1369-1383 (2001). [CrossRef]

J. Geophys. Res.

• Z. Lee, K. Du, R. Arnone, S. Liew, and B. Penta, "Penetration of solar radiation in the upper ocean: a numerical model for oceanic and coastal waters," J. Geophys. Res. 110, C09019 doi:10.1029/2004JC002780 (2005). [CrossRef]
• I. Shulman, J. Kindle, P. Martin, S. deRada, J. Doyle, B. Penta, S. Anderson, F. Chavez, J. Paduan, and S. Ramp," Modeling of upwelling/relaxation events with the Navy Coastal Ocean Model," J. Geophys. Res. 112, C06023, doi:10.1029/2006JC003946 (2007). [CrossRef]
• P. A. Newburger, J. S. Allen, and Y. H. Spitz, "Analysis and comparison of three ecosystem models," J. Geophys. Res. 108, doi:10.1029/2001JC001182 (2003).
• J. K. Jolliff, J. C. Kindle, B. Penta, R. Helber, Z. Lee, I. Shulman, R. Arnone, and C. D. Rowley, "On the relationship between satellite-estimated bio-optical and thermal properties in the Gulf of Mexico," J. Geophys. Res. 113, doi:10.1029/2006JG000373 (2008). [CrossRef]
• A. Morel and S. Maritorena, "Bio-optical properties of oceanic waters: a reappraisal," J. Geophys. Res. 106, 7163-7180 (2001). [CrossRef]
• J. S. Bartlett, A. M. Ciotti, R. F. Davis, and J. J. Cullen, "The spectral effect of clouds on solar irradiance," J. Geophys. Res. 103, 31,017-31,031 (1998). [CrossRef]
• S. Sathyendranath and T. Platt, "The spectral irradiance field at the surface and in the interior of the ocean: a model for applications in oceanography and remote sensing," J. Geophys. Res. 93, 9270-9280 (1988). [CrossRef]
• A. Bricaud, M. Babin, A. Morel, and H. Claustre, "Variability in the chlorophyll-specific absorption coefficients of natural phytoplankton: analysis and parameterization," J. Geophys. Res. 100, 13,321-13,332 (1995). [CrossRef]

J. Mar. Res.

• M. J. R. Fasham, H. W. Ducklow, and S. M. McKelvie, "A nitrogen-based model of phytoplankton dynamics in the oceanic mixed layer," J. Mar. Res. 48, 591-639 (1991).

Limnol. Oceanogr.

• L. Prieur and S. Sathyendranath, "An optical classification of coastal and oceanic waters based on the specific spectral absorption curves of phytoplankton pigments, dissolved organic matter, and other particulate materials," Limnol. Oceanogr. 26, 671-689 (1981). [CrossRef]
• J. T. O. Kirk, "Volume scattering function, average cosines, and the underwater light field," Limnol. Oceanogr. 36, 455-467 (1991). [CrossRef]
• J. Berwald, D. Stramski, C. D. Mobley, and D. A. Kiefer, "Influences of absorption and scattering on vertical changes in the average cosine of the underwater light field," Limnol. Oceanogr. 40, 1347-1357 (1995). [CrossRef]

Oceanogr.

• R. M. Hodur, J. Pullen, J. Cummings, X. Hong, J. D. Doyle, P. J. Martin, and M. A. Rennick, "The Coupled Ocean/Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS)," Oceanogr. 15, 88-98 (2002).

Other

• I. Shulman, J. Kindle, S. deRada, S. Anderson, B. Penta, and P. Martin, "Development of a hierarchy of different resolution models for study U.S. West Coast California Current Ecosystem," in Estuarine and Coastal Modeling, M. L. Spaulding, ed., (Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Estuarine and Coastal Modeling, 2004).
• B. Penta et al., are preparing a paper to be called "Ecosystem dynamics in the California Current System: analysis from a coupled physical-ecological ocean model."
• C. D. Mobley, "Hydrolight 3.0 users�?? guide," (SRI Int., Menlo Park, Calif. 1995).
• B. Penta, "Phytoplankton competition on the West Florida shelf: a simulation analysis with red tide implications," Ph.D. Dissertation, (Univ. So. Fla. 2000).
• www7333.nrlssc.navy.mil
• J. E. O'Reilly, and 24 Coauthors, SeaWiFS Postlaunch Calibration and Validation Analyses, Part 3. NASA Tech. Memo. 2000-206892, S. B. Hooker and E. R. Firestone, eds., (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center), Vol. 11, pp. 49.
• H. R. Gordon and A. Morel, Remote Assessment of Ocean Color for Interpretation of Satellite Visible Imagery: A Review (Springer, NY, 1983). [CrossRef]

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