The determination of par levels from absorption coefficient profiles at 490 nm

A model is presented that allows the prediction of percent photosynthetical ly available radiation (PAR) levels from measured profiles of the absorptio n coefficient at 490 nm in the Gulf of California. Percent PAR levels depen d on the diffuse attenuation coefficients of the wavelengths that make up P AR, which in turn depend on the absorption coefficient. The emphasis is on developing a simple but robust model that can be used by researchers to pla n deployments of photosynthesis experiments in the Gulf of California.