Study of the Profile Distribution of the Diffuse Attenuation Coefficient and Secchi Disk Depth in the Northwestern South China Sea

Abstract

The diffuse attenuation coefficient for the downwelling irradiance Kdz,λ is a critical parameter in terms of the optical properties of the ocean. In the northwestern South China Sea, there are complex physical processes, and the accurate estimation of Kdz,λ in the northwestern South China Sea is critical for the study and application of the underwater light field and water constituents. In this study, using Hydrolight 6.0 (HL60) software, Kdz,λ was simulated based on the inherent optical properties (IOPs) and chlorophyll a concentration dataset in the northwestern South China Sea. The simulations were in good agreement with the results calculated by the model of Lee (2005), and the spectral characteristics of Kdz,λ were consistent with several oceanic types according to Jerlov’s classification. The horizontal and vertical distribution characteristics of Kd(z,490) were studied in the two typical upwelling areas of eastern Hainan Island and eastern Vietnam. Kd(z,490) in eastern Hainan Island exhibited an overall decreasing trend from west to east at the same depth, while the vertical depth of the maximum value of Kd(z,490) in eastern Hainan Island was found to increase from west to east, which was significantly associated with the distribution trend of the temperature and salinity. Kd(z,490) in eastern Vietnam exhibited unique horizontal and vertical distribution characteristics due to upwelling, with a low temperature and high salinity. A satisfactory linear relationship between Kd(z,490) and Kdz,λ was found from 420 to 580 nm with R2 > 0.76, root mean square (RMSE) ≤ 0.010 m−1, and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) < 9%, and this result indicated that Kdz,λ from 420~580 nm could be estimated with Kd(z,490). The regression accuracy sharply decreased after 580 nm, indicating that Kdz,λ estimation based on Kd(z,490) can be more suitably achieved from 420~580 nm and becomes inaccurate after 580 nm. Based on the simulations, an empirical relationship for ZSDD estimation involving Kd,10%490 was developed, and ZSDD in the northwestern South China Sea was calculated, with a range of 5–23 m and a suitable agreement with ZSDD obtained via the method of Lee (2018).