Connection between salinity and light absorption coefficient

In many important applications it is necessary to estimate inherent optical properties of sea water using only available oceanographic data. Among the many hydrographic parameters of sea water only salinity has been shown to have a significant correlation with such optical parameters such as absorption coefficient. This correlation is due to the coupling between salinity and concentration of dissolved organic matter. The advantages and disadvantages in using this correlation to retrieve absorption properties is examined for a coastal plume.