Long-term microwave radar monitoring of ocean slicks at low grazing angles

Abstract

This paper proposes the use of a digital microwave marine radar system for the detection and monitoring of surfactant slicks at sea. The spatial, temporal and radiometric resolutions of this low grazing angle instrument are compared to those of satellite and airborne radars traditionally used for oil pollution monitoring. Experimental evidence is presented in two artificial surfactant releases in the coastal zone which were successfully detected and tracked with a shore-based marine radar. The information contained in a long-term time-series of NRCS images is explored and its synergistic use with traditional satellite- and air-borne radar data discussed.