Use of the radiance distribution to measure the optical absorption coefficient in the ocean

Recent advances in instrumentation have enabled the accurate measurement of radiance distribution profiles. These measurements with the electro‐optic radiance distribution camera system (RADS) can be used to explore theoretical treatments relating the radiance distribution to inherent properties such as absorption. I use a radiance distribution cast to obtain a profile of the optical absorption coefficient. Because this measurement of absorption is not direct, but rather is derived from the radiance distribution data, analysis of the possible sources of error is detailed, along with the advantages and disadvantages of the method.