POLARIMETRIC INVESTIGATION OF THE ATMOSPHERIC AEROSOLS OVER THE PACIFIC-OCEAN

For a feasibility study setting up the maritime aerosol model, measurements of the radiance and degree of polarization of the skylight radiation were carried out over the Pacific ocean during the cruise of the Hakuho Maru KH-88-2. The wavelengths 0.4, 0.6 and 0.9-mu-m were considered using the portable spectroradiometer (resolution about 30 nm). The derived visibility is in good agreement with that reported from ships. Furthermore the optical thickness and the mixing ratio of aerosol constituents are shown to be derived from the measurements of maximum degree of polarization for moderate solar elevations, provided that the maritime aerosol is a mixture of oceanic and water-soluble aerosols.