The influence of coherent waves on the remotely sensed reflectance

Oceanic waves have been found to contribute enhanced backscattering in the direction of the illumination source in studies that assumed the ocean surface to be a random sum of waves. Here we investigate enhanced back-scattering by coherent capillary-gravity wave trains that coexist near the crests of short gravity waves in the ocean. We find that the enhanced back-scattering effect is intensified relative to that of a random surface and that the effect is observed at larger angles. This effect may not only affect active sensors such as lidar, which have a viewing angle close to that of the source but possibly passive sensors as well. This effect is likely to result in biases when attempting closure between radiative transfer models that do not include realistic representation of the ocean surface and observed water leaving radiance. (C) 2001 Optical Society of America.