Effects of Suspended Sediments on Penetration of Solar Radiation into Natural Waters

摘要

Aquatic photochemical and photobiological processes depend on both the amount and the spectral composition of solar radiation penetrating to depths in natural waters. In turn, the depth of penetration, as a function of wavelength, depends on the dissolved and suspended material in these waters. The rates of photochemical transformation as well as the impact on photobiological processes, depends on the optical properties of these water bodies as determined by their dissolved and suspended material. In particular, because photo-chemical processes are frequently governed by radiation in the ultraviolet region of the spectrum, the optical properties of natural waters in this spectral region are especially important. In this study, several theoretical models were developed and some unique experimental data were developed for the purpose of characterizing the optical properties of various natural waters. Particular emphasis was placed on optical properties in the ultraviolet region of the spectrum. The theoretical models, with imput of these data, can then be used to calculate the rates of photochemical and photobiological processes in various aquatic environments.