COMPARISON OF NUMERICAL-MODELS FOR COMPUTING UNDERWATER LIGHT FIELDS

Seven models for computing underwater radiances and irradiances by num erical solution of the radiative transfer equation are compared. The m odels are applied to the solution of several problems drawn from optic al oceanography. The problems include highly absorbing and highly scat tering waters, scattering by molecules and by particulates, stratified water, atmospheric effects, surface-wave effects, bottom effects, and Raman scattering. The models provide consistent output, with errors ( resulting from Monte Carlo statistical fluctuations) in computed irrad iances that are seldom larger, and are usually smaller, than the exper imental errors made in measuring irradiances when using current oceano graphic instrumentation. Computed radiances display somewhat larger er rors.