Two Component Mie Scattering Models of Sargasso Sea Particles

Abstract

The volume scattering function is calculated for particle suspensions consisting of two components systematically distributed in a manner consistent with Coulter Counter observations in the Sargasso Sea. The components are assigned refractive indices 1.01–0.01i and 1.15 to represent organic and inorganic particles, respectively. The only models found that reproduce observed scattering functions require a considerable fraction of the suspended particle volume to be organic in nature. This fraction, however, contributes less than 10% to the total scattering function. The model finally chosen indicates that the inorganic particles smaller than 2.5 μ do not occur in large enough concentrations to have a significant effect on the volume scattering function.