title: Multiple light scattering and absorption in reef-building corals.
abstract: We present an experimental and numerical study of the effects of multiple scattering on the optical properties of reef-building corals. For this, we propose a simplified optical model of the coral and describe in some detail methods for characterizing the coral skeleton and the layer containing the symbiotic algae. The model is used to study the absorption of light by the layer of tissue containing the microalgae by means of Monte Carlo simulations. The results show that, through scattering, the skeleton homogenizes and enhances the light environment in which the symbionts live. We also present results that illustrate the modification of the internal light environment when the corals loose symbionts or pigmentation.
authors.affiliation: División de Física Aplicada, Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, Carretera Ensenada-Tijuana No. 3918, Ensenada, B.C. 22860, México. eteran@cicese.mx
authors.forename: Emiliano
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Terán
authors.forename: Eugenio R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Méndez
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Enríquez
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Iglesias-Prieto
mesh_terms: D000042:Absorption; D000818:Animals; D037421:Anthozoa / Q000502:physiology*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D057894:Coral Reefs; D008027:Light; D058086:Microalgae; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D013559:Symbiosis / Q000502:physiology