The determination of par levels from absorption coefficient profiles at 490 nm

Abstract

A model is presented that allows the prediction of percent photosynthetically available radiation (PAR) levels from measured profiles of the absorption coefficient at 490 nm in the Gulf of California. Percent PAR levels depend on the diffuse attenuation coefficients of the wavelengths that make up PAR, which in turn depend on the absorption coefficient. The emphasis is on developing a simple but robust model that can be used by researchers to plan deployments of photosynthesis experiments in the Gulf of California.

Keywords

• percent light levels
• absorption coefficient
• optical depth
• downwelling irradiance