Transmission of linearly polarized light in seawater: implications for polarization signaling

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dc.contributor.authorShashar, Nadav
dc.contributor.authorSabbah, Shai
dc.contributor.authorCronin, Thomas W.
dc.date.accessioned2019-04-18T19:52:07Z
dc.date.available2019-04-18T19:52:07Z
dc.date.issued2004-07-12
dc.description.abstractPartially linearly polarized light is abundant in the oceans. The natural light field is partially polarized throughout the photic range, and some objects and animals produce a polarization pattern of their own. Many polarization-sensitive marine animals take advantage of the polarization information, using it for tasks ranging from navigation and finding food to communication. In such tasks, the distance to which the polarization information propagates is of great importance. Using newly designed polarization sensors, we measured the changes in linear polarization underwater as a function of distance from a standard target. In the relatively clear waters surrounding coral reefs, partial (%) polarization decreased exponentially as a function of distance from the target, resulting in a 50% reduction of partial polarization at a distance of 1.25–3·m, depending on water quality. Based on these measurements, we predict that polarization sensitivity will be most useful for short-range (in the order of meters) visual tasks in water and less so for detecting objects, signals, or structures from far away. Navigation and body orientation based on the celestial polarization pattern are predicted to be limited to shallow waters as well, while navigation based on the solar position is possible through a deeper range.en_US
dc.description.sponsorshipThis study was partially supported by the US Air Force Office of Scientific Research, NSF Grant # IBN- 0235820, BSF Grant # 1999040 and ISF Grant #550/03.en_US
dc.description.urihttp://jeb.biologists.org/content/207/20/3619en_US
dc.format.extent10 pagesen_US
dc.genrejournal articlesen_US
dc.identifierdoi:10.13016/m2yu0k-yvz2
dc.identifier.citationNadav Shashar, Shai Sabbah, Thomas W. Cronin, Transmission of linearly polarized light in seawater: implications for polarization signaling, Journal of Experimental Biology 2004 207: 3619-3628; doi: 10.1242/jeb.01187en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.01187
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11603/13465
dc.language.isoen_USen_US
dc.publisherThe Company of Biologists Ltden_US
dc.relation.isAvailableAtThe University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC)
dc.relation.ispartofUMBC Biological Sciences Department Collection
dc.relation.ispartofUMBC Faculty Collection
dc.rightsThis item is likely protected under Title 17 of the U.S. Copyright Law. Unless on a Creative Commons license, for uses protected by Copyright Law, contact the copyright holder or the author.
dc.rightsnon-commercial use only
dc.subjectpartial linear polarizationen_US
dc.subjectpolarization sensitivityen_US
dc.subjectnavigationen_US
dc.subjectvisionen_US
dc.subjectcommunicationen_US
dc.titleTransmission of linearly polarized light in seawater: implications for polarization signalingen_US
dc.typeTexten_US

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