Inovations in ocean optics for coastal and open ocean mooring applications

The subdiscipline field of ocean optics has advanced dramatically in the last 2 decade due to a culmination of advances. These advances include large strides in our quantitative understanding of theoretical ocean optics, technological innovations in instrumentation and progress in utilizing interdisciplinary observational platforms. Theoretical understandings of ocean optical processes have evolved from the ability to quantify phytoplankton biomass from fluorescence to the quantification of phytoplankton classes and the development of proxies for quantification of biogeochemical parameters. Technological innovations have evolved from one-cast broadband scalar photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) sensors to multifunctional hyperspectral sensors capable of long-term deployments on moored buoy platforms. The facilitation of interdisciplinary observational platforms such as ocean color remote sensing satellites, moored buoys, drifters, autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV's) and gliders has also advanced our understanding of spatial and temporal variability of various ocean optics properties. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the progression of our understanding of theoretical ocean optics due to recent advances in optical sensors and their applicability to advanced ocean observational platforms, such as moored buoy observatories. Specifically, we will present recent advances in measurement techniques for the inherent and apparent optical properties of seawater obtained from time-series measurements from moored buoy platforms from both complex coastal and relatively stable open ocean environments. The in situ time-series measurements of inherent and apparent optical properties, namely the optical absorption and backscattering coefficients, and upwelling and downwelling attenuation coefficients, as potential proxies for biogeochemical parameters will be discussed.