Statistical Model of Bathyphotometer Observations

Abstract We developed a statistical model simulating time series of mechanically stimulated bioluminescence potential (BP) measured in situ by a bathyphotometer. The model accounts for advection of a collection of individual specimens through the bathyphotometer with prescribed physical parameters. The characteristics of mechanically stimulated bioluminescent emissions (flash kinetics parameters) of individual specimens are taxon specific and randomized to account for natural variability within a taxon. Presented numerical results demonstrate the ability of the model to reproduce BP time series recorded by the bathyphotometer during a survey conducted in the fjord of Svalbard, Norway. With the proper composition of the bioluminescent community and taxa abundances, the model correctly reproduces statistics of BP emissions in the observed time series. The results of simulations reveal a strong potential for the model tuning and calibration with respect to in situ BP records. Further model calibration to a particular bathyphotometer will require more detailed statistics for flash kinetics parameters. The presented statistical model can be used to derive statistically tested transformation functions between the in situ BP measurements recorded by different bathyphotometers.