The wavelength-dependent albedo along the flight track of a NASA ER 2 high-altitude research aircraft has been estimated under clear-sky conditions in the 300--775 nm spectral range. We have developed an inversion technique to estimate ocean albedo which used nadir radiance measurements obtained during recent ER 2 campaigns. These are used in conjunction with a multiple-scattering radiative transfer model. This method is general and robust in that any type of surface can be handled as long as a functional form for the angular distribution of surface radiance can be specified. Comparisons have been made against a forward, iterative method and differences do not exceed 1% in the visible and were 1--2% in the near UV. Results are presented for clear-sky portions of flights from two ER 2 campaigns. Specular reflection of the sunlight off the ocean surface has been treated using the Cox and Munk statistical approach. Following this, the wavelength-dependent albedo has been estimated at selected points along various ER 2 flights. Furthermore, photolysis coefficients (or J values) for NO2 and NO3 have been calculated at these points so that the effects of accounting for both specular reflection and wavelength dependence on photochemistry can be assessed. The use of a wavelength-dependent albedo was found to impact J values by as much as 10%. It was also determined that, in most cases, accounting for specular reflection was found to have a minor impact on J values (1--3%), but under certain conditions, differences of up to 7% are possible.¿ 1997 American Geophysical Union