CHM2951, 2016

Light

Light in Natural Waters

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Lake Reflections, Rocky Mtns, Colorado

Key concepts
Importance of light in aquatic systems
Factors affecting light (wavelength & intensity):
Before light enters the water
After it enters the water

Measuring light intensity in the water

Relating light measurements to the nature and
photosynthesis of different aquatic systems.
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1.

Introduction

Solar Radiation is the:

only source of energy for photosynthesis.

major source of heat in lakes.
major source of Energy for biosynthesis of organic
materials.
trigger mechanism for vertical migration of grazing
zooplankton (e.g. Daphnia).
(Left) Freshwater plankton.
Phytoplankton cells, Daphnia (a
crustacean grazer). Photo courtesy of
John J. Gilbert.
(Right) Pattern of zooplankton vertical
migration. Image created by Bing Li.
www.wellesley.edu/Biology/Faculty/M
3
moore/research_zooplankton.html

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Light

1.

Introduction

Irradiance = Radiant flux/unit area.

Wavelength () range of interest:
350 - 700 nm - the Photosynthetically Active

Radiation (PAR) range.

PAR

350

500

600

700

Irradiance expressed in terms of:

(a) ENERGY UNITS, i.e. Joule m-2 s-1, or
(b) NUMBER OF QUANTA, i.e. Quanta m-2 s-1
or Einsteins m-2 s-1. (1 Es = 6.023 x 1023
photons = 1 mol photons).

1.

Introduction

The photon energy depends on wavelength:

E h

hc 6.626 10 34 (Js) 2.998 10 8 (ms1)

(m)

1.99 10 25 (Jm)
(m)

Hence light at 350 nm will have approx. double

the energy of light at 700 nm.
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2.

Intensity of Incident Light (Irradiance)

Incident light comprises approx:

80% direct solar radiation; depends on: latitude,
season, cloud cover.
20% diffuse radiation from sky (up to 40% early am,
late pm).

Approx 2000 Joule/cm2/day, during summer, nocloud conditions.

We consider behaviour/characteristics of light:

Before it reaches the water surface
After it penetrates the water

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3.

Light

Characteristics of Incident Light

3.1 Spectral Distribution

Spectral distribution influenced by
solar altitude, '.
At larger (more over head)
proportion of transmitted blue
light is greater than at low '.
i.e. at low ', path through
atmosphere is longer, and more
scattering of blue light occurs.

3.2 Effect of Surface Reflection

Extent of reflection depends on:
' (angle of incidence),
Wave action - increased reflection
occurs.
A - Clear, cloudless conditions.

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B - Diffuse light, moderate cloud cover.

C - Heavily overcast conditions.
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20

0
0

20

40

60

80

Surface Reflection (%)

4. Attenuation of Light in Natural Waters

4.1 Absorption
From the Bouguer-Lambert law:

i = io e-a l
io = incident light intensity,
i = transmitted light intensity,
a = the absorption coefficient, and
l = light path length.
This is very similar to the Beer-Lambert Law, i.e.
absorbance, A = log(io/i) = l c
is absorptivity, l is pathlength, c= concentration

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Light

4. Attenuation of Light in Natural Waters

4.1 Absorption
However, we want to know how intensity or irradiance
varies with depth, z, rather than pathlength, l.
and hence:

I = Io e-Kz
where
K is the vertical absorption coefficient (and is
specific for monochromatic light of wavelength )
Io and I are irradiances at the surface and depth z (m)
respectively.

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4. Attenuation of Light in Natural Waters

I = Io e-Kz
But what is really required is:
K value which covers the whole PAR range, and
which will include scattering and absorption effects, i.e.

E E 0e Kz
where E and Eo are measured irradiances at the water
surface and at depth z (m) respectively; and
K is the vertical attenuation coefficient for the entire PAR
waveband (350-700 nm).
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4. Attenuation of Light in Natural Waters

E E 0e Kz
Take natural log of both sides

ln E z ln E 0 Kz
Plot ln Ez vs z

Gradient = -K
Intercept = ln E0
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Light

4.1.1 Water
Absorption varies according to wavelength, as shown for
distilled water below. The blue, higher energy, light, shows
less absorption with depth.
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Irradiance, E (E/s/m
)

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

0
10
20
30
Blue

40

Green

50

Yellow

60

Red

70
80
90
100

Point for later on! What about infra-red radiation (heat)?

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4.1.2 Dissolved Organic Matter (DOM)

Oceans:

Water is the main absorbing medium.

Inland Waters: Dissolved Organic Matter (DOM),

"Gelbstoff" or "Gilvin" is the major absorbing materialconsists of complex mixtures of humic/fulvic acid type
compounds.

Photograph: Olegas Truchanas

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4.1.3 Phytoplankton

KPhytoplankton = n A
n = number of cells, and
A = Absorption cross section (amount of light absorbed
at given by single cell or colony - depends on type of
pigments present, and on size of cells)

Anabaena circinalis

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Light

Underwater Light Climate

Dominated by blue (and
green) light

Primary Producers need

to capture these
wavelengths
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Blue-Green

30

Algae
20

(m2)

Absorption Cross-Section

4.1.3 Phytoplankton

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Green Algae
0
350

400

500

BLUE

600

700

RED

(nm)

Effect of Pigment composition on absorption cross

section of algae of same size (ca 8 m).
Green algae contain chlorophyll a & b and
carotenoids; blue green algae contain chlorophyll
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a, carotenoids, and phycobiliproteins.

4.1.4 Non-living Suspended Matter (Seston)

Mineral particles, plant debris, etc.
Absorptive behaviour not well-characterized
because of difficulties associated with
identification and measurement.

Winhay Bay Estuary

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Light

4.2 Scattering
Scattering by suspended
particulate material.
Difficult to measure as an
individual effect, given
heterogeneous nature of
suspended particles and
measurement limitations.
Scattering and absorption effects are lumped together
as the vertical attenuation coefficient, K (see 4.1)
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5. Measurement
5.1

Irradiance Measurement

may be measured using (a) Cosine (horizontal), or (b)

scalar irradiance collectors. (Quantum Meters).

5.1.1 Cosine (Planar) Irradiance Measurement

'

Air

Water

Irradiance collector is horizontal (xz), but light

is not vertical.
Radiant flux/unit area/s

xy = xz cos

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The irradiance at any depth is determined by the

light from above (downward or downwelling
irradiance) and from below (upward or upwelling
irradiance)
Downward Irradiance (Ed) and Upward Irradiance
(Eu) can both be measured using the same cosine
collector. (simply reverse the collector for
upwelling)
How might upwelling irradiance occur?

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Light

From two or more Ed values at different depths,

average Kd (downward vertical attenuation
coefficient) for a given depth range can be
determined: (same for upwelling)

Kd

1
E (z )
ln d
z2 z1 Ed (z )
1

Ku

1
E (z )
ln u
z2 z1 Eu (z )
1

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Kd
d

1
z2 z1

ln

Ed ( z )
Ed (z )
1

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5.1.2 Scalar Irradiance Measurement

Scalar Irradiance (Eo) = total radiant flux per m2 at a given
point in the medium.
Gives better estimate of light available for photosynthesis.
Measured with scalar irradiance collector.

Kd

1
z2 z1

ln

Ez ( z )
Ez (z )
1

Submersible scalar
irradiance sensor.

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Light

5. Measurement of Kd
a) Measurements at Two points (depths z1 & z2)

Kd

1
z2 z1

ln

Ed ( z )
Ed (z )
1

b) Measurements at Multiple depths: z1, z2, . zn

ln Ez ln E0 K d z
Plot ln Ez vs z
Gradient = - Kd

Intercept = ln E0

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5. Measurement of Kd

So Kd = 2.43 m-1

6.0

y = -2.43x + 4.58
r = 0.993

ln(Eo)

5.0
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
0.0
0.00

0.50

1.00

1.50

2.00

Depth (m)
Hoddle St Bridge, Yarra River, March 2011.

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5.2 Secchi Disk Measurements

Secchi Disk

Traditional method for measuring "transparency"

Results reported as Secchi Depth, zSD
zSD used to estimate Kd, e.g.
Kd = 1.44 / zSD

Poole & Atkins (1929),

updated by Holmes (1970)

(Kd + c) = 8.69 / zSD

Tyler (1968)
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5.3

Light

Use of Irradiance and Kd Data

Generally:
Inland Waters have high Kd's - why?
Oceanic Waters have low Kd's - why?

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5.4

Determination of Euphotic Depth

Depth limit of euphotic zone (zeu) defined as depth at

which Ed (PAR) is reduced to 1% of the immediate
subsurface value. This is assumed to equate to the depth
where growth is light-limited.

Kd

1
z2 z1

Kd

ln

Ez ( z )
Ez (z )
1

100
1
ln
z eu 0
1

(ln 100 = 4.6)

4.6
zeu K
d

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Importance of Euphotic Depth, zeu

4.6
zeu =
Kd

Unstratified

Stratified

The euphotic depth and circulation may control the growth

period for algal production
Phytoplankton in a stratified lake may spend all their time in
the Euphotic zone,
Those in an unstratified system are exposed to less light
due to circulation out of the euphotic zone

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Light

5.5 Measurement of Turbidity

Common measure of light
scattering & absorption by biotic
and abiotic particles in water .
Measured as Nephlometric
Turbidity Units (NTU) using a
simple light scattering instrument.
Function of the soils, geology,
weathering processes in a
catchment.
Depends on nature of particles,
salinity, and stream velocity.
Controls the amount of light
penetration into the water column.

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Natural
Turbidity?
Very fine particles from
highly weathered, clay
soils
Particles < 1 m do not
settle
How do the particles get
in the stream?
Euphotic depth is often <
5 cm
What impact will this have
on the stream?
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Points for review:

We expect Ez to decrease with depth. Why?
What does it mean if Kd gets larger at the
bottom of the lake or river?
Can zeu be deeper than the maximum depth?
If yes, what does that mean?
What physical or chemical processes in an
estuary might affect irradiance and Kd?
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Light

References
Kirk, J.T.O. (1977). Attenuation of Light in
Natural Waters. Aust. J. Mar. Freshwater Res.
28, 497-508.
Kirk, J.T.O. (1983). 'Light and Photosynthesis in
Aquatic Ecosystems' (Cambridge University
Press, Cambridge.)
Wetzel, R.A. (2001). 'Limnology, 3rd Edition
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