We are an interdisciplinary research group which integrates optical observations, both remotely sensed and in situ, and biogeochemical model processes at interfaces and across scales. Our focus is on coastal and marginal seas, primarily the Baltic Sea, but not exclusively. Marine optics is interdisciplinary by nature, it connects biological activity with energy fluxes, carbon cycling with heat transfer, and thus is relevant for physical oceanography, biological oceanography, marine chemistry and marine geology. Working closely with all research disciplines at IOW, we aim to enhance knowledge on the changing underwater light climate and how this impacts marine ecosystems by:

• supporting the acquisition of in situ optical observations,
• enhancing the monitoring programme with above water radiometry and in situ radiometric profiling,
• developing workflows to provide information on biogeochemical quantities of interest,
• developing methods to integrate BGC-ARGO data and remote sensing reflectances into biogeochemical models,
• integrating optical remote sensing into predictive toolboxes, and
• developing novel applications which target scientific priorities of the IOW Research Programme 2024 - 2033.

Using a coupled modelling framework to explore the quantity and quality of the underwater light field in the Western Baltic Sea (Cahill et al., 2023)