Seasonal optical backscattering in hypersaline waters: In-situ observations and data analysis.

Relationships of backscattering coefficients with the physical and biological properties in hypersaline waters like the Arabian Gulf are poorly studied. They may differ from other non-hypersaline waters which contribute the majority of data used to develop and parameterize optical models. Herein, we analyze the covariation of salinity, temperature, Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a), color dissolved organic matter (CDOM), ammonium, and turbidity with seawater backscattering coefficients bb(λ).