Robert H. Stavn

**Ph.D., Yale University**Optical oceanography, aquatic ecology, ecology, zooplankton, and lake optics. I study the penetration of photons into the ocean and their fate upon encountering molecules and suspended particles. The possible fates of the photons are to be absorbed (converted into heat or carbon compounds), scattered (diverted from the original trajectory), or transpectrally converted to another photon by Raman scattering or fluorescence. We have demonstrated that Raman scattering significantly contributes to the open ocean light field. I am working on accurate remote-sensing algorithms for determining suspended minerogenic matter and chlorophyll concentrations in the coastal ocean. The needed calibration of remote sensing algorithms has been accomplished with new methods of analysis of suspended matter in the coastal ocean. We have accomplished this with a new method of multiple linear regression, Model II multiple linear regression. New analyses are also coming from X-ray Diffraction studies of suspended mineral matter from collaborations with the University of New Orleans. We have completed new Super-computer Monte Carlo simulations of Ultra-Violet (UV) photon transport to study the effects of suspended sediment and particles on the penetration and possible harmful effects of UV light on aquatic and marine ecosystems.

There are 5 included publications by Robert H. Stavn :

TitleDateViewsBrief Description
Biogeo-optics: particle optical properties and the partitioning of the spectral scattering coefficient of ocean waters 2008 3105 We propose a direct method of partitioning the particulate spectral scattering coefficient of the marine hydrosol based on the concurrent determination of the concentrations of particulate mineral and organic matter (the total mass of optically activ...
Correcting the Errors from Variable Sea Salt Retention and Water of Hydration in Loss on Ignition Analysis: Implications for Studies of Estuarine and Coastal Waters 2009 3642 The standard technique of determining the concentrations of total suspended solids (TSSs), particulate inorganic matter (PIM), and particulate organic matter (POM) by filtration with glass fiber filters is subject to an error or bias from sea salt pl...
Mass-specific scattering cross sections of suspended sediments and aggregates: theoretical limits and applications 2012 2537 The spectral mass-specific scattering cross section is most important for the remote sensing inversion of the concentration of suspended mineral matter in the coastal ocean. This optical parameter is also important in optical theory and therefore the...
Open Access Publishing & the Tenure and Promotion Process 2012 4437 A recording of a Faculty Forum sponsored by the Faculty Senate Scholarly Communications Committee and the University Libraries on October 23, 2012 on the UNCG campus. Issues discussed included the future of open access publishing, article processing ...
Suspended minerogenic particle distributions in high-energy coastal environments: optical implications 2004 1659 This paper examines suspended minerogenic particle distributions in the near-coastal ocean, Oceanside, California. The environment is dominated by resuspension of particles from a well-sorted sandy sediment. We obtain information on the suspended min...