Resolving the Impacts and Feedback of Ocean Optics on Upper Ocean Ecology

water is nearly opaque to infrared energy (Figure 1), the study of ocean optics has been primarily concerned with propagation of visible energy, i.e. light. This is also a natural starting point for the study of ocean ecology as photosynthesis is driven (with a few exceptions) by energy within the visible light spectrum, which has sufficient energy per photon to induce photochemistry. As phytoplankton accumulations also impact the color and clarity of the water column, there is a direct link between the studies of ocean optics and ocean ecology (Yentsch and Phinney, 1989). December 30, 1831 – “The deep water differs as much from that near shore, as an inland lake does from a little pool. – It is not only the darkness of the blue, but the brilliancy of its tint when contrasted with the white curling tip that gives such a novel beauty to the scene.”