A study on diffuse attenuation coeficient of light (Kd) at coral reef area of Bidong Island

Abstract

The coefficient of vertical light attenuation (Kd) can describes the underwater light field, with the variability of attenuation light in coral reef ecosystems. This experiment shows that attenuation can be vary with order of distance in near shore environment, increasing or decreasing with proximity to land and to the depth. Also due to various factors that may influence the light to attenuate into the water column. As Euphotic zone depth (Zeu), defines as the water body which the solar radiation dimishes to 1 % of its initial value at the surface. Open ocean waters usually recorded with low Kd value. When light is attenuated by these water constituents, Kd increases as Zeu decreases. These light attenuation plays a role in determining the rate of live coral cover of coral reef area. This experiment were done mostly to characterize Kd in different stations around Bidong Island and the variations of Kd and zone euphotic depth (Zeu) reading on reef coral community.