Monte Carlo simulations of the backscattering measurements for associated uncertainty

Three-dimensional simulations using the Monte Carlo method are implemented to analyze and quantify the uncertainty and the influence of absorption on the measurement of light backscattering by ECO-BB9 (WET Labs) sensor for a wide variety of optically complex and open ocean waters. The analytical investigation of the geometrical configuration revealed a distinct effective path length which contributes towards an accurate assessment of absorption effect on the backscattering measurement. The present study proposes the application of a non-linear relationship to determine the measured parameter from the detector counts more accurately than the conventional method that applies the scale factor. It was found that the mean centroid angle of the instrument shows marginal variations for varying absorption and backscattering coefficients. Nevertheless, the mean centroid angle for the instrument over the entire course of the simulation study was found to be 124° which conforms well with the study of Doxaran et al. [Opt. Express 24, 3615 (2016)].