Dependence of ocean heating on the distribution of spectral irradiance in the North Atlantic

Robert A. Arnone; Gregory E. Terrie; Paul J. Martin

doi:10.1117/12.138866

22 December 1992 Dependence of ocean heating on the distribution of spectral irradiance in the North Atlantic

Robert A. Arnone, Gregory E. Terrie, Paul J. Martin

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 1749, Optics of the Air-Sea Interface: Theory and Measurement; (1992) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.138866
Event: San Diego '92, 1992, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

Subsurface heating rates from visible solar irradiance were computed for the North Atlantic for May 1979 during the period of the spring bloom. The visible spectrum between 400 and 700 nm accounts fora substantial fraction, about 43%, of the total solar irradiance at the sea surface, and comprises most of the solar irradiance that penetrates more than a meter into the sea. The mean monthly spectral diffuse attenuation coefficients and surface solar irradiance were used to compute heating rates at 390, 440, 490, 540, 590, 640, and 690 nm over depth increments of 0 - 5, 5 - 10, 10 - 15, 15 - 20, and 20 - 35 m. At low latitudes, in the North Atlantic, significant solar heating occurs at depth as a consequence of high solar irradiance and clear waters. In the northern latitudes the heating is confined near the surface at all wavelengths as a result of high turbidity. Significant spatial variation in the spectral heating rates is observed as a result of chlorophyll and aerosol patchiness.

Citation Download Citation

Robert A. Arnone, Gregory E. Terrie, and Paul J. Martin "Dependence of ocean heating on the distribution of spectral irradiance in the North Atlantic", Proc. SPIE 1749, Optics of the Air-Sea Interface: Theory and Measurement, (22 December 1992); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.138866

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

;

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE