Variation of particulate organic carbon and its relationship with bio-optical properties during a phytoplankton bloom in the Pearl River estuary

► A study about relationship between POC and optical properties during a phytoplankton bloom. ► Empirical algorithms for retrieving POC concentration from optical data were developed. ► Phytoplankton carbon and it's ratio to Chl-a are estimated and discussed. ► Demonstrates that marine optical buoy can be a new platform for monitoring biogeochemical cycle.