Phytoplankton populations undergo seasonal changes in abundance with variations in temperature and sunlight, and also can proliferate to nuisance levels in response to nutrient inputs from agricultural application and sewage processing. Constituent Optical Result Water itself Absorbs mainly red light, in the longer wavelengths. Weakly scattering Colored Dissolved Organic Matter Strongly absorbs light, mostly shorter wavelengths, especially blues. Scatter is negligible. Phytoplankton Strongly absorbing and scattering.
Absorption is selective with peaks in the blue and red regions.
Scatter is mainly directed forward. Suspended Particulate Matter Strongly scattering. Absorption characteristics depend upon composition of the particulate material. These three components, colored dissolved organic matter, phytoplankton and suspended particulate matter, which influence water quality and have effects on the optical properties of water are the target components of water quality management programs across the globe. Increases in one or more of these components causes a decrease in water quality, which is affecting not only how humans can use the water, but also how marine flora and fauna live and survive in the water.