Light attenuation and scattering by phytoplanktonic cells: a theoretical modeling

Abstract

A theoretical modeling is proposed to predict the efficiency factors for attenuation, total scattering, and backscattering for spherical and homogeneous phytoplanktonic cells in suspension. The input parameters of this modeling are the actual size distribution, the spectral values of absorption by the living cells, and an adjustable value of the real part of the refractive index. The variations in these parameters lead to very diverse spectral behavior of the efficiency factors. Theoretical predictions are compared to experimental results for some species to evaluate the reliability of the model for algal cells of various indices and morphologies.