  Free-space optical (FSO) communication can be subject to various types of
distortion and loss as the signal propagates through non-uniform media. In
experiment and simulation, we demonstrate that the state of polarization and
degree of polarization of light passed though underwater bubbles, causing
turbulence, is preserved. Our experimental setup serves as an efficient, low
cost alternative approach to long distance atmospheric or underwater testing.
We compare our experimental results with those of simulations, in which we
model underwater bubbles, and separately, atmospheric turbulence. Our findings
suggest potential improvements in polarization based FSO communication schemes.
