Research > Clusters
Marine Optics
Water absorbs substantially more light than does air and does so with a strong spectral bias. Dissolved organic materials add further to attenuation, again with a strong spectral bias. Water also suspends particles more effectively than does air, so light scattering also changes the quantity, polarization and spectral character of underwater light fields from what one experiences in air. How light propagates in turn determines how deeply the oceans are heated and to what depths primary production is possible. The quantity and spectral quality of light often limit primary production and influence the results of visual predation further up the food web as well as UV damage to DNA of near-surface plankton. Understanding light propagation is essential to in situ and remote sensing of temperature, salinity and phytoplankton standing crops and dynamics. UMaine has an unusual concentration of scientists skilled in various aspects and applications of marine optics.
Participating Faculty
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Emmanuel Boss
Bio sketch→
Interests:
biological-physical interactions, geophysical fluid dynamics, Lagrangian and Eulerian dynamics and kinematics, marine optics, marine acoustics, remote sensing, mesoscale (fronts, jets, and eddies) dynamics, mixed-layer dynamics, science teaching methodology, Oceanography, Ocean Observing systems, Ocean Modeling and prediction.
emmanuel.boss@maine.edu
Phone: (207) 581-4378
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Fei Chai
Bio sketch→
Interests:
Biological-Physical Interactions, Fisheries Sciences, Ocean Modeling and Prediction, Marine Biogeochemistry, Biological Oceanography, Marine Climate Change
fchai@maine.edu
Phone: (207) 581-4317
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Lee Karp-Boss
Bio sketch→
Interests:
Biological-Physical Interactions, Phycology, Marine Physiological Ecology, Marine Optics, Biological Oceanography, Marine Climate Change
lee.karp-boss@maine.edu
Phone: (207) 581-4305
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Lawrence Mayer
Bio sketch→
Interests:
Marine Biogeochemistry, Benthic Oceanography, Environmental Oceanography
lmayer@maine.edu
Phone: (207) 581-3321 x237
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Mary Jane Perry
Bio sketch→
Interests:
Biological-Physical Interactions, Phycology, Ocean Observing Systems, Marine Physiological Ecology, Marine Biogeochemistry, Marine Optics, Biological Oceanography, Marine Climate Change
perrymj@maine.edu
Phone: (207) 581-3321 x245
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Mark Wells
Bio sketch→
Interests:
Phytoplankton Physiology, Trace Metals, Iron, Marine Biogeochemistry, Iron Limitation, CDOM, Sensors, Harmful Algal Blooms, Biological-Physical Interactions, Marine Aquaculture, Marine Optics, Marine Physiological Ecology, Ocean Observing Systems, Biological Oceanography, Marine Climate Change
mlwells@maine.edu
Phone: (207) 581-4322
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