Influence of Suspended and Dissolved Matter on the Transparency of Sea Water

The transparency at different levels in the sea as recorded by means of a transparency-meter is compared with the distribution of suspended particles studied with the aid of a Tyndall-meter. A simple procedure is used to distinguish between different components of light extinction and to derive values of the content of the dissolved yellow substance. The distribution of yellow substance is illustrated for the transition area between the Baltic and the Skagerrak and for the outflow of the Gota Älv. It is emphasized that the content of yellow substance may often be considered as a characteristic property of a water mass.