Estimating the radiation environment in the Great Barrrier Reef

There are a number of studies that have examined solar irradiance in the environment above and below the ocean surface. Unlike other previous studies, this thesis maps both surface and underwwater irradiances using a combination of geostationary and Sea WiFS satellite data and surface measurements. Detailed estimates of broadband, PAR and UVB solar radiaton both above and below water is obtained for the Great Barrier Reef region in northeast Australia. The study covers the Coral Sea including the Great Barreir Reef (GBR) northeast of Queensland (10 degrees S - 26 degrees S, 142 degrees E - 155 degrees E). Geostationary meteorological satellite (GMS) data collected for periods between 1995 and 2005 are combined with the models to obtain broadband solar radiation at the surface. PAR and UVB underwater irradiance are estimated from the attenuation coefficients Kd derived from the SeaWiFS instrument for the period of 1998 - 2005.