Near-Surface Particulate Backscattering Observations with Bio-Optical Lagrangian Drifters
Created March 18, 2026
Updated on March 25, 2026
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MainTitle
Near-Surface Particulate Backscattering Observations with Bio-Optical Lagrangian Drifters
Original ids
10.1175/jtech-d-23-0161.1; 20.500.14243/514760
Type
publication
bestAccessRight
OPEN
countries
Italy
Creator/Author
Full name
Bellacicco, Marco, orcid: 0000-0002-0477-173x ; Pitarch, Jaime, orcid: 0000-0003-0239-0033 ; Organelli, Emanuele, orcid: 0000-0001-8191-8179 ; Zoffoli, Maria Laura, orcid: 0000-0003-1892-0051 ; Concha, Javier A., orcid: ; Falcini, Federico, orcid: 0000-0001-8105-2491 ; Li, Mengyu, orcid: ; Marullo, Salvatore, orcid: ; Rio, Marie-Helene, orcid: ; Santoleri, Rosalia, orcid: 0000-0002-2900-5054 ; Centurioni, Luca R., orcid:
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Description
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>Particulate matter concentration is an essential ocean variable (EOV) useful for understanding biogeochemical processes, improving ocean productivity estimates, and constraining coupled physical and biogeochemical numerical models. While direct observations of this parameter are difficult to obtain, the optical backscattering coefficient of marine particles (<jats:italic>b</jats:italic><jats:sub>bp</jats:sub>) can be used as a reliable proxy. However, most in situ multispectral <jats:italic>b</jats:italic><jats:sub>bp</jats:sub> measurements are ship-borne or obtained from moored systems, thus with a limited spatial and temporal coverage. Utilizing Surface Velocity Programme (SVP) drifting buoys with self-contained backscatter sensors designed for extended deployment periods offers a promising solution for collecting data in challenging marine environments. In this study, we presented for the first time the integration of a commercially available, high-frequency, and multispectral optical backscatter sensor into an SVP drifter, the so-called backscatter optical-SVP (BO-SVP) drifter designed to collect <jats:italic>b</jats:italic><jats:sub>bp</jats:sub> measurements near the ocean surface. The <jats:italic>b</jats:italic><jats:sub>bp</jats:sub> measurements obtained by the BO-SVP drifter were reliable over a wide range of environmental conditions, showing a good agreement with independent datasets (relative bias < 10%; relative standard deviation < 36%). The BO-SVP drifter captures the satellite sub- and pixel-scale variability by combining the Lagrangian approach and a high-frequency sampling. This configuration enables the acquisition of measurements across numerous pixels in a single day, enhancing validation activities for ongoing and future satellite products and the quantification of associated uncertainties. The measurements acquired by these platforms can offer valuable insights into particle distribution at fin
Publication Date
2024-11-01
Publisher
American Meteorological Society
Subjects
0207 environmental engineering; 02 engineering and technology; Ocean circulation, Buoy observations, In situ oceanic observations, Satellite observations, Surface observations; 01 natural sciences; 0105 earth and related environmental sciences
isGreen
false
isInDiamondJournal
false
Publication
Ending page
1119
Name
Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology
Publication
Article
Starting page
1107
issnOnline
1520-0426
issnPrinted
0739-0572
vol
41
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Last Updated
March 25, 2026, 10:40 (UTC)
Created
March 18, 2026, 23:29 (UTC)
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