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Optical Limnology—a Manifesto

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Limnology in Australia

Part of the book series: Monographiae Biologicae ((MOBI,volume 61))

Abstract

Since the optical properties of the aquatic medium control the penetration of solar radiation in natural waters, a knowledge of these properties is essential for an understanding of the functioning of aquatic ecosystems. We need to determine the inherent optical properties of the water—the absorption coefficients for the soluble and particulate fractions at a series of wavelengths over the visible-photosynthetic spectral range, and the scattering coefficient (or turbidity, which is proportional to scattering). We also need to measure the apparent optical properties of the water—the vertical attenuation coefficient for downward irradiance in the whole photosynthetic waveband (and if possible at specific wavelengths as well), the irradiance reflectance, and the visual transparency. Methods for measuring the values of these properties in inland waters are discussed.

The available optical data for Australian inland waters are summarized in tabular form. The compilation shows that the task of characterizing the optical properties of the waters of this continent has scarcely begun. A minimum set of optical measurements is proposed, which limnologists or the appropriate government instrumentalities should carry out on the inland waters with which they are concerned.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Plant Industry, CSIRO, G.P.O. Box 1600, Canberra, A.C.T., 2601, Australia

    J. T. O. Kirk

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  1. J. T. O. Kirk
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography, Monash University, Clayton, Vic., 3168, Australia

    Patrick De Deckker

  2. Department of Zoology, University of Adelaide, Box 498, G.P.O., Adelaide, S.A., 5001, Australia

    W. D. Williams

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© 1986 CSIRO — Australia

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Kirk, J.T.O. (1986). Optical Limnology—a Manifesto. In: De Deckker, P., Williams, W.D. (eds) Limnology in Australia. Monographiae Biologicae, vol 61. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-4820-4_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-4820-4_2

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-8636-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-4820-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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