Measured IOPs of Jerlov water types

Inherent optical properties (IOPs) of typical ocean waters have been derived from a worldwide database of measured parameters. The optical quality of the world's oceans can be described in terms of their Jerlov water type, ranging from the clearest Jerlov I to the most turbid Jerlov 9C. These Jerlov classifications are defined in terms of an apparent optical property known as the downwelling diffuse attenuation coefficient (Kd). There is a need to relate these Jerlov water types to their IOPs, namely their absorption coefficient, a, and scattering coefficient, b. However, robust values of a and b for Jerlov water types have not previously existed. This study used the World-wide Ocean Optics Database to derive a series of experimentally measured a and b values for six Jerlov water types. Using data science techniques to group measurements in time and space, over 13.5 million data points were consolidated into 53 measured values for a and b. Established models were subsequently applied to generate a complete table of absorption and scattering coefficients from 300 to 800 nm for Jerlov IB to Jerlov 5C. The analysis includes the influence of changes in the solar zenith angle and the scattering phase function. These data are recommended for use in applications where IOPs are required to describe Jerlov water types.