<title>Distribution of colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) in the equatorial Pacific</title>

Abstract

Optical properties of dissolved and particulate matter were measured in the surface waters of the Equatorial Pacific between 165 degrees E and 150 degrees W. In this area upwelling provided nutrient-rich water creating a mesotrophic environment. Below the surface mixed layer runs the Equatorial Undercurrent, which was marked by increases in salinity and absorption by CDOM. The magnitude of the absorption appears to be correlated with salinity even though there are no terrigenous inputs into this region. In the surface water the CDOM absorption is an important portion of the total absorption in the blue portion of the spectrum. Below the mixed layer the dissolved component absorption was the dominant non-water optical component.