Bidirectional reflectance of oceanic waters: a comparison of modeled and measured upward radiance fields

The bidirectional reflectance of oceanic waters is conveniently described in a normalized way by forming the ratio of the upwelling irradiance E_u to any upwelling radiance L_u(θ′, φ). This ratio, Q[θ′, θ₀, (φ₀ - φ)], where θ′, φ are the nadir and azimuth angles for the upward radiance and θ₀, φ₀ are the zenith and azimuth angles of the Sun, has been determined from measurements at sea and computed via Monte Carlo simulations using the inherent optical properties measured in the field and appropriate boundary conditions (clear sky, no wind, varying Sun angle). Experimental and computed Q values are in excellent agreement. -from Authors