Coastal Biogeochemical and Optical Properties in Fitzroy Estuary

Dry season measurements capture inherent optical properties across an estuary-coast-ocean continuum in tropical Australia. The dataset includes spectral absorption, scattering, and backscattering coefficients, plus discrete measurements of phytoplankton, nonalgal particles, colored dissolved organic matter, and constituent concentrations. It 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 understand light attenuation.
• Analyzing particle scattering and backscattering efficiency variability (by a factor of 6) to characterize water turbidity.
• Investigating the effect of semidiurnal tides on the spatial distribution of suspended matter and pigment concentrations.
• Calculating specific inherent optical properties, like chlorophyll-specific phytoplankton absorption, for bio-optical algorithm development.

Strengths

• Data captures a large variability, with particle scattering decreasing by 2 orders of magnitude from estuary to bay.
• Includes continuous spectral measurements and discrete component-specific absorption coefficients.
• Spatial and temporal sampling covers both dry season and tidal phase effects.

Limitations

• Sample size and row count are unknown, limiting statistical power assessment.
• Data collection is restricted to the dry season and a single macrotidal system, limiting seasonal and geographic generalizability.
• File format is HTML, which may complicate direct data extraction and analysis.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

Field sampling of biogeochemical and inherent optical properties in the near-surface layer.

Time Range

Dry season (specific years unknown).

Freshness

Last updated in April 2026.

Geography

Fitzroy Estuary and Keppel Bay system, tropical Australia.