Modeling light propagation in sea ice

This paper outlines the process by which it is possible to begin with the physical properties of sea ice (such as the size distributions of brine pockets and air bubbles), then predict the optical absorption and scattering properties of the ice, and finally use these inherent optical properties in radiative transfer models to predict light propagation within the ice. Each step of this entire process is illustrated by application to a comprehensive data set of sea ice physical and optical properties. Agreement is found between measured and modeled beam spread functions (bsfs), albedos, and transmittances.