Inherent Optical Properties of a Tropical Macrotidal Estuary and Bay

Measurements of biogeochemical and inherent optical properties from the Fitzroy Estuary and Keppel Bay system in tropical Australia. Data includes spectral absorption, scattering, and backscattering coefficients, plus concentrations of phytoplankton pigments and suspended matter, collected during the dry season. The dataset was contributed by the Australian Ocean Data Network and last updated in April 2026.

Use Cases

• Modeling spectral absorption coefficients of phytoplankton, nonalgal particles, and colored dissolved organic matter to partition total light attenuation.
• Analyzing the relationship between suspended matter concentration and particle scattering to derive specific optical properties.
• Investigating tidal phase effects on the spatial distribution of chlorophyll-specific phytoplankton absorption and backscattering efficiency.
• Calibrating remote sensing algorithms by correlating in-water inherent optical properties like scattering and absorption with satellite reflectance.

Strengths

• Data captures variability across an estuary-coast-ocean continuum, with properties changing by 2-3 orders of magnitude.
• Includes both continuous spectral measurements and discrete determinations of component absorption and concentrations.
• Samples account for spatial variability and temporal effects of semidiurnal tides during the dry season.

Limitations

• Sample size and row count are unknown, limiting statistical assessment.
• Data is restricted to the dry season, lacking seasonal comparison.
• Geographic scope is limited to a single coastal system in tropical Australia.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

Field sampling of near-surface water properties, including continuous spectral measurements and discrete sample analysis.

Time Range

Dry season (specific years unknown).

Freshness

null

Geography

Fitzroy Estuary and Keppel Bay, tropical Australia (shallow coastal environment <30m depth).