Simple estimation of penetration rate of light in intertidal sediments

A simple estimation of light penetration in tidal flat sediments was developed using various sediment size fractions and their attenuation rate of irradiance. The attenuation coefficients of the sediment size fractions of 63-125, 125-250, 250-500, 500-1000 mu m and 1000-2000 mu m were 8.10, 4.08, 2.92, 2.12 and 1.44 mm(-1), respectively. Using the average attenuation coefficient of the particle size fractions in the sediment, the calculated attenuation coefficient agreed well with the actual attenuation coefficient. The method presented gives a photo-parameter to predict productivity in intertidal sediments, given only the particle size fraction.