Seasonal Variation of Attenuation Coefficient Spectra Extracted from Yamato Bank Optical Moored Buoy Data

Seasonal variation of attenuation coefficient spectra in Japan sea was extracted from underwater radiance/irradiance spectra observed by a moored buoy system developed by National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA). The buoy was deployed 9 months from August 31, 1996 to June 1, 1997. Throughout this period, it was collecting downward irradiance and upward radiance spectra under water at the depth of 1.5m and 6.5m everyday. The dairy averaged diffused attenuation coefficient spectra and underwater reflectance spectra were calculated. The results were compared with the absorption spectra of filtered samples obtained by validation cruises, which carried out 5 times during the moored period. Also, the natural fluorescence of chlorophyll a were extracted from the upward radiance spectra observed at 1.5m depth. The seasonal variation of the calculated attenuation coefficient spectra and the natural fluorescence were examined. The result shows a weak blooming of phytoplankton on November and a large blooming on April.