Development and Assessment of Lidar Modeling to Retrieve IOPs

synthetic bio-optical dataset of inherent optical properties (IOPs) was created based on Chlorophyll concentrations ranging between 0.01 and 30 mg m-3. Dissolved and particulate fractions of absorption were varied to account for the natural ranges in values. The IOPs will then be used as inputs to a time-resolved Monte-Carlo radiative transfer model to generate accurate lidar backscatter time history wave forms. Test experiments were performed to validate the model, where the primary lidar geometry in the model matched an existing system developed at HBOI under NOAA-OAR funding. The system uses blue and green pulsed laser sources (473 and 532 nm, respectively) and has two telescopes arranged at a 10° offset (on and off axis) from one another. The field of view of the telescopes is set at 1°. Approaches are being investigated to invert simulated and measured lidar results to derive input water column IOP properties. Results are tested through application to lidar measurements collected in an experimental tank with known suspended particle type and concentration.