Utility of Polarized Visible Radiation in Oceanography

In a brief manner what is presently known about the polarization of visible radiation over oceanographic environments is presented. This data indicates that present sensors are not recording all of the radiation information available so considerable radiometric information is being ignored. Over oceans, surface reflected and underwater scattered radiation is quite highly polarized. A review of the overall ocean radiance gives an idea of the characteristics of the Stokes parameters which completely describe remotely sensed radiation characteristics. Conclusions and an evaluation of the potential utility of imaged Stokes parameters is made. Proposed research on the feasibility and proof of concept of a relatively simple sensing and imaging technique is outlined.