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BRG The University of Queensland
Water surface

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# Effects of water surface

The path of sunlight will be modified by the condition of the interface between air and water at the ocean surface. Under clear conditions, refraction will occur (image, below left). Under rougher conditions, wind-blown waves will produce glint (image, below right), which needs to be removed before the data can be used for mapping.

Image with glint
Image with glint removed

The two images below also demonstrate the effects of water surface on light.

Refraction at air/water interface
Wave effects causing sun glint