@ARTICLE{Stramski_Dariusz_Light_1982, author={Stramski, Dariusz and Montwiłł, Krzysztof}, volume={vol. 3}, number={No 3-4}, journal={Polish Polar Research}, pages={153-170}, howpublished={online}, year={1982}, publisher={Polish Academy of Sciences}, publisher={Committee on Polar Research}, abstract={Optical studies were carried out in waters of the Drake Passage and the South Shetland Islands region from February 14 to March 12, 1981. The total energy of solar radiation reaching the sea surface was continuously recorded over daytime hours. Spectral and energetic characteristics of natural light field in the sea were determined basing on underwater measurements of downwelling irradiance attenuation. The thickness of the euphotic zone and other characteristic optical depths were also evaluated. The investigated waters were conventionally classified into three groups of different optical water types as follows: a) Clear oceanic water, b) Oceanic water of intermediate type and water affected by coastal water, c) Coastal water and water with high biological productivity. The clearest waters were found in the Drake Passage where the average thickness of the euphotic zone was about 100 m. The turbid waters of coastal types were encountered in some areas around the South Shetland Islands. The relatively thin euphotic zone of about 30 m was observed in waters with high biological productivity west of Elephant Island and southwest of Anvers Island.}, type={Article}, title={Light conditions in the Antarctic waters of the Drake Passage and the South Shetland Islands region during summer1981}, URL={http://www.journals.pan.pl/Content/111540/PDF/1982_3-4_153-170.pdf}, keywords={Antarctic, optical oceanography}, }