|
OEAS 895: INTRODUCTION TO AQUATIC OPTICS FOR ECOLOGISTS AND OCEANOGRAPHERS
Fall 2004
Richard C. Zimmerman, Professor
This course will introduce the basic concepts of aquatic optics that affect the structure, function and distribution of aquatic ecosystems. Lectures will cover the basic physics of light transmission through the aquatic medium as affected by scattering and absorption, the inherent optical properties of seawater, suspended particles and macroscopic plants, light capture for photosynthesis, vision and underwater imaging. Laboratory exercises will introduce students to the principles and problems of underwater light measurement using the latest spectral instrumentation and spectroscopic techniques for oceanographic and ecological applications. Ideal for students interested in physical and biological oceanography, production ecology of phytoplankton and seaweeds, underwater vision and imaging and remote sensing.
|
MEETING TIMES: |
Lecture 10:00 - 11:30 MW Lab 13:00 - 16:00 Wednesdays |
|
TEXTBOOK: |
Kirk, J.T.O., 1994, Light and Photosynthesis in Aquatic Ecosystems, Cambridge Univ. Press. |
ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE: Grades will be based on 400 total points distributed as follows:
| Midterm 1 |
4-Oct-04 |
100 pts |
| Midterm 2 |
15-Nov-04 |
100 pts |
| Final Exam |
10-Dec-04 |
100 pts |
All exams will be take-home and will require an hour or so to complete. You may use the text, class notes or library sources as necessary. You MAY NOT CONSULT with other people. Exams will be due by 5:00 the Friday after distribution.
| Labs/Homework |
|
|
| Report 1: (Labs 2-4 combined) |
10 pts |
| Report 2 (Labs 5-7 combined) |
|
10 pts |
| Report 3 (Cruise Report) |
|
50 pts |
| Report 4: (Labs 10 & 11) |
|
10 pts |
| Discussion (Lab 14) |
|
20 pts |
Lab write-ups will consist of brief descriptions of lab exercises, presentation and analysis of the data you collected and related problems, as assigned. The cruise report (Lab Report 3) will use many of the techniques learned in Labs 2 - 7 to examine real field data, and will be more extensive. Labs on 28 April and 5 May will be used for discussion of readings from the primary literature, as assigned. Each student will be responsible for leading the discussion on the paper to which they are assigned
2004 Course Schedule
| Week |
Date |
Lecture |
Lab |
Reading |
Assignm't Due |
| 1 |
30-Aug-04 |
Course Overview / Nature of Light |
Math primer |
Kirk Ch 2 |
|
| 2 |
8-Sep |
Radiometry and Optical Properties |
Experiments in Measuring Light |
Kirk Ch 1 |
|
| 3 |
13-Sep |
Theory and Measurement of Absorption |
Experiments in Measuring Absorption |
Kirk Ch 3 |
|
| 5 |
27-Sep |
Light Absorption by Aquatic Organisms I |
In Vivo Absorbance & Reflectance Spectra, Photon Budgets |
Kirk Ch 5 & 6 |
Lab Report 1 |
| 6 |
4-Oct |
Light Absorption by Aquatic Organisms II |
In Vivo vs. In Vitro Pigments & the Package Effect |
Kirk Ch 8 -12 |
Midterm 1 |
| 7 |
13-Oct |
Light Acclimation Dynamics: Pigments, Fluorescence & Photosynthesis |
Fluorescence Spectra & Variable Fluorescence |
Kirk Ch 8 - 12 |
|
| 8 |
18-Oct |
Optical Instruments & Methods at Sea |
R/V Slover Cruise |
Kirk Ch 8 - 12 |
Lab Report 2 |
| 9 |
25-Oct |
Analysis of Ocean-Optical Data |
Slover Cruise Data Workup |
|
|
| 10 |
1-Nov |
Environmental Radiative Transfer I: The Water Column |
Calculating R/T for Optically Deep Waters |
|
Lab Report 3 |
| 11 |
8-Nov |
Environmental Radiative Transfer II: Macrophytes & the Benthos |
Calculating R/T for Optically Shallow Waters |
|
|
| 12 |
15-Nov |
Remote Sensing |
Accessing and Working with R.S. Data |
Kirk Ch 7 |
Lab Report 4, Midterm 2 |
| 13 |
22-Nov |
Current Readings in Optical Oceanography I: Remote Sensing & the Water Column |
No Lab - Thanksgiving |
TBA |
|
| 14 |
29-Nov |
Current Readings in Optical Oceanography II: Remote Sensing & Aquatic Vegetation: Bottom characterization & Bathymetry |
Discussion of Papers to be Assigned |
TBA |
|
| 15 |
6-Dec |
UW Light Field and Vision |
Visual Correlates: color, contrast, etc. |
|
|
| 15 |
10-Dec-04 |
No Class |
|
|
Final | |
