Optical characterization of Port Everglades focusing on underwater visibility

The development of an unmanned underwater vehicle at Florida Atlantic University with onboard optical sensors has prompted the temporal and spatial optical characterization of Port Everglades, with in-situ measurements of the turbidity, conductivity, and temperature. Water samples were collected for laboratory analysis where attenuation and absorption were measured with a bench top spectrometer. All of the measurements showed a high degree of variability within the port on a temporal and spatial basis. Correlations were researched between the measured properties as well as tide and current. Temporal variations showed a high correlation to tidal height but no relation was found between turbidity and current, or salinity. Spatial variations were primarily determined by proximity to the port inlet. Proportionality constants were discovered to relate turbidity to scattering and absorption coefficients. These constants along with future turbidity measurements will allow the optimization of any underwater camera system working within these waters.