Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Applied Optics

Rights and Access Note

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Publication Date

9-20-2013

First Page

6710

Last Page

6725

Issue Number

27

Volume Number

52

Abstract/ Summary

The ability to estimate mean particle size using simple, low-power optical instruments promises to greatly expand coverage of particle size measurements in the ocean and advance understanding of myriad processes from sediment transport to biological carbon sequestration. Here we present a method for estimating the mean diameter of particles in suspension from high-resolution time series of simple optical measurements, such as beam attenuation or optical backscattering. Validation results from a laboratory clay aggregation experiment show a good fit with independent mean particle diameter estimates in the 10-80 μm diameter range, with relative biases of 17%-38% and relative root mean square errors of 10%-24%. In the 80-200 μm range, quantitative validation data were not available, but our mean diameter estimates correlated strongly with particle settling rates.

Citation/Publisher Attribution

Briggs, N. T., W. H. Slade, E. Boss, and M. J. Perry, 2013. Method for estimating mean particle size from high-frequency fluctuations in beam attenuation or scattering measurements. Applied Optics, 52, No. 27, 6710-6725.

Publisher Statement

© 2013 Optical Society of America

DOI

10.1364/AO.52.006710

Version

publisher's version of the published document

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Rights Statement

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted.