A parameterization of the volume scattering function (VSF) specific to coastal waters is proposed. We have found that the standard VSF parameterizations proposed by Fournier-Forand and Petzold do not fit our measurements obtained with a high angular resolution VSF-meter for water samples taken in the Black Sea coastal zone. We propose modeling VSF as a linear function of scattering, backscattering and particulate absorption. The statistical techniques employed allow us to retrieve the variability of VSF and to demonstrate the significance of the estimates obtained. The results of independent validation and the comparison with other commonly used parameterizations are provided. (C) 2010 Optical Society of America