Figure 3. Varadero Reef optical properties.

Analyses of the variations in the optical properties of the water column in Varadero Reef (solid circles) indicate the presence of highly stratified water masses. The blue symbols in the blue shaded area highlight the upper layer with K_d values of 0.488 m⁻¹, the black symbols indicate transition region with K_d of 0.19 m⁻¹ whereas the orange symbols in the shaded area indicate the presence of very clear waters with K_d values of 0.041. For comparison the monotonic vertical attenuation for the Rosario Island is presented (open circles) with K_d values of 0.165 m⁻¹.