Variations in the downwelling diffuse attenuation coefficients in the northern South China Sea

The diffuse attenuation coefficient for downwelling irradiance $(K_d({\lambda}))$ is an important parameter for ocean studies. Based on the optical profile data measured during three cruises in the northern South China Sea in autumn from 2003 to 2005, variations in the $K_d({\lambda})spectra$ were analyzed. The variability of $K_d({\lambda})$ shows much distinct features both in magnitude and spectra shape. The $K_d({\lambda})value$ are much higher in costal waters than that of open oceanic waters and the blue-to-green(443/555) ratios of $K_d({\lambda})$ tends to increases with the chlorophyll a concentration ([Chl a]) from open ocean to coastal waters. These characteristics can be explained primarily by the increasing of $a_{w+p}(433)/a_{w+p}(555)$ with [Chl a]. In the short waveband, the relation between $K_d({\lambda})-K_w({\lambda})$ and [Chl a] can be well described by a power law function, suggesting the large contribution of phytoplankton to the variations in $K_d({\lambda})$. As for the spectral model of the diffuse attenuation coefficient, there are good linear relationships between $K_d(490)$ and $K_d({\lambda})$ at other wavelengths, with the slope parameter and the intercept following linear functions within the spectral range $412{\sim}555$ nm. These variabilities of $K_d({\lambda})$ provided much useful information for us to study the bio-optical properties in the northern South China Sea.