Robert H. Stavn (Ph.D., Yale University)
Professor
Department of Biology
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Greensboro, NC 27402-6174
office: 104 Bruce M. Eberhart Bldg.
phone: (336) 334-4979
e-mail: stavnr@uncg.edu
Research Interests: 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 and possibly to deep ocean photosynthesis.
I am working on accurate remote-sensing algorithms for determining
suspended minerogenic matter and chlorophyll concentrations in both the
coastal and
open ocean. The key factor is characterizing the contribution of
suspended mineral matter to the remote-sensing signal read by satellite
and aircraft. We have succeded in producing accurate
characterization of optical scattering cross sections for
suspended
mineral and organic matter. We have developed a new method of
multiple linear regression to accomplish this, Model II multiple linear
regression. We have also developed new methods of analysing
suspended matter concentration in the ocean to take care of salinity
retention errors on glass fiber filters. Further characterization
of suspended mineral matter, both qualitatively and quantatively, is
being accomplished through collaborative work in X-ray Diffraction 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.
High concentrations of sediment act to increase the harmful dosage
level of penetrating UV light.
Publications:
Stavn, RH and AD Weidemann. 1996. Coastal optical water Type
2: modeling and minerogenic scattering. Proc. Soc. Photo- Optical Eng
2963-
Ocean Optics XIII: 38-48.
Weidemann, AD, RH Stavn, JRV Zaneveld and MR Wilcox. 1995. Error in predicting hydrosol backscattering from remotely sensed reflectance. J. Geophysical Res. 100:163-177.
Keen, T.R. and R.H. Stavn. 2000. Developing a capability to forecast coastal ocean optics: minerogenic scattering. eds. M. Spaulding and A. Blumberg, Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Estuarine and Coastal Modeling, ASCE Press, Reston, VA, pp. 178-193.
Stavn, R.H. and R.W. Gould, Jr.
2003. Biogeo-optics:
Organic Matter Scattering in Case 2 Waters.
Oceanography, 16(2): 61. Poster, Oceanology International 2003, The
Oceanography
Society, New Orleans, LA, 4-6 June 2003.
Stavn, R.H. and T.R. Keen. 2004. Suspended minerogenic
particle distributions in high-energy coastal environments: optical
implications. J. Geophysical Res.
109, C05005, doi:10.1029/2003JC002098.
Stavn, R.H., Spiering, B.A., and
R.W. Gould, Jr. 2004. Biogeo-optics:
Backscattering Cross sections for Suspended Mineral & Organic
Matter in
the Coastal and Near Coastal Ocean.
Ocean Optics XVII, Fremantle, Australia, Office of Naval Research, USA,
25-29 October 2004 CDROM.
Mulberry, W. and R.H. Stavn. 2006. Particulate scattering and the penetration of ultraviolet light in coastal and inland waters. Ocean Optics XVIII, Montreal, Canada, Office of Naval Research, USA, 9-13 October 2006 CDROM.
Snyder, W., Arnone, R., Davis, C., Goode,
W., Gould, R., Ladner, S., Lammela, G., Rhea, W.J., Stavn, R., Sydor, M.,
Weidemann, A. 2006. Comparison of the particle size distribution and
optical attenuation. Ocean Optics XVIII, Montreal, Canada, Office of
Naval Research, USA, 9-13 October 2006 CDROM.
Stavn,
R.H. and S.J. Richter. 2006. Biogeo-optics:
Partitioning the Particulate Scatter Coefficient in Coastal Waters.
Ocean Optics XVIII, Montreal, Canada, Office of Naval Research, USA,
9-13 October 2006 CDROM.
Material contained on these pages is © 2003 by Robert H. Stavn, except where so indicated. These pages are maintained by the aforementioned Robert Stavn in the Department of Biology at UNCG primarily for the benefit of his students and colleagues, but you are free to peruse this site. Send comments or questions to the E-mail address above.
