Variability of light absorption properties in optically complex inland waters of Lake Chaohu, China

Absorption coefficients of phytoplankton, colored detrital matter (CDM), non-algal particles (NAP), colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM), and their relative contributions to total non-water absorption (at − w) are essential variables for bio-optical and radiative transfer models. Light absorption properties showed large range and variability sampled at 194 stations throughout Lake Chaohu between May 2013 and April 2015. The at − w was dominated by phytoplankton absorption (aph) and NAP absorption (ad). The contribution of CDOM absorption to at − w was lower than 30%. Phytoplankton and NAP were the primary sources of spatial and vertical variability in absorption properties. Light absorption by CDOM, though significant in magnitude, was relatively constant. CDM absorption (adg) was dominated by NAP. The spatial variation of the absorption coefficients from each of the optically active constituents were driven by several main inflow rivers in the western and middle part of Lake Chaohu. Algal blooms and bottom resuspension contributed to vertical variability as observed by phytoplankton and NAP profiles. Specific absorption of phytoplankton had significant spatial and seasonal variations without vertical variation. The spectral slope of absorption showed no significant spatial variability (p > 0.05). Variations of absorption affected different ranges of remote sensing reflectance (Rrs) spectrum, thereby increasing the difficulty of applying the remote sensing algorithm in optically complex waters. Parameters and relationships presented in this study provide useful information for bio-optical models and remote sensing of lakes similar to Lake Chaohu in terms of optical properties.