The absorption of water color components and spectral modes in the Pearl River estuary

In-situ data from cruises in the Pearl River estuary and adjacent marine areas were collected during March to May 2001. The absorption coefficients of the water color components were studied in detail containing total suspended matter （TSM）, chlorophyll-a （chl-a）, colored dissolved organic matter （CDOM）, and de-pigment particles. For absorption coefficient of TSM, ap, and that of de-pigment particles, ad, correlations of ap（440）-TSM, ad（440）-TSM, ap（440）-chl-a and ad-chl-a were done （the italicized term means the concentration）. There was a good correlation between ap（440） and chl-a concentration. An empirical relationship model between aph（675） and chl-a was developed showing a strong correlation of 0.93. Based on the two models the chl-a and aph（2） were correlated. The values of calculated empirical spectral slope for CDOM absorption coefficients and that of de-pigment particles, 0.017 0 and 0.011 6 respectively, both are within a relative standard error of 10.0%.