Abstract Passive ocean color remote sensing has revolutionized our ability to quantify the horizontal distribution of phytoplankton across the ocean surface. Lidar technology can provide remotely sensed estimates of the vertical distribution of optical properties and suspended particles in natural waters, significantly improving our ability to model upper ocean biogeochemical processes. In this study, we constructed and deployed a ship-based lidar system to measure laser backscattering and linear depolarization profiles in the coastal Mid-Atlantic ranging from estuarine to oceanic conditions, and across the Gulf of Maine (GoM). The instrument identified layers with different backscattering intensity in stratified waters of the coastal Mid-Atlantic and produced system attenuation coefficients (Ksys) approximating the absorption coefficient (apg) of particulate + dissolved matter. The linear depolarization ratio was strongly related to in situ measurements of the particulate backscattering ratio (bbp/bp). Measurements of Ksys and linear depolarization made across the GoM corresponded well with simultaneous in situ observations performed aboard the M/V Nova Star and by an autonomous glider deployed along the transect. The relationship between Ksys and apg differed between sampling schemes, likely due to differences in the deployment geometries (e.g., height, nadir angle). These results support the proposition that ship-based lidar systems can provide a powerful tool for remotely measuring the vertical distributions of optical properties and geochemical constituents (e.g., particles) in the upper ocean. Continued development of compact lidar systems for deployment on ships, moorings, and autonomous platforms has the potential to greatly improve the quality and scope of a variety of oceanographic investigations.

中文翻译：

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船载激光雷达遥感光学特性和海洋上层粒子分布

摘要 被动海洋颜色遥感彻底改变了我们量化海洋表面浮游植物水平分布的能力。激光雷达技术可以提供自然水域中光学特性和悬浮颗粒的垂直分布的遥感估计，显着提高我们模拟上层海洋生物地球化学过程的能力。在这项研究中，我们构建并部署了一个舰载激光雷达系统，以测量大西洋中部沿海地区从河口到海洋条件以及缅因湾 (GoM) 的激光后向散射和线性去极化剖面。该仪器识别了大西洋中部沿海分层水域中具有不同反向散射强度的层，并产生了近似于颗粒 + 溶解物质的吸收系数 (apg) 的系统衰减系数 (Ksys)。线性去极化率与颗粒反向散射率 (bbp/bp) 的原位测量密切相关。在 GoM 上进行的 Ksys 和线性去极化的测量与在 M/V Nova Star 上和沿横断面部署的自主滑翔机进行的同步原位观测非常吻合。Ksys 和 apg 之间的关系因采样方案而异，这可能是由于部署几何形状（例如，高度、天底角）的差异所致。这些结果支持这样一个命题，即舰载激光雷达系统可以提供一种强大的工具，用于远程测量上层海洋中光学特性和地球化学成分（例如，粒子）的垂直分布。持续开发部署在船舶、系泊和自主平台上的紧凑型激光雷达系统有可能大大提高各种海洋调查的质量和范围。