Estimation of underwater scattering radiances up to the third order

Vertical distribution of underwater scattering radiances of the first, the second and the third order is estimated by the Jerlov's method. In the estimation the volume attenuation coefficient and the volume scattering function are assumed to be constant in near surface layer, and the sky radiation separated from solar radiation to be a parallel beam and to fall into the sea in the vertical direction only.In the zenith direction the second scattering radiance is more intense than the first scattering radiance in near surface layer. As for the total radiance which is a sum of radiances up to the third order, the zenith radiation is largest, the nadir radiation is moderate and the horizontal radiation is least.