Remote Sensing of Surface Films as a Tool for the Study of Oceanic Dynamic Processes

Abstract

Biogenic surface films, which are often present in coastal areas, may enhance the signatures of hydrodynamic processes in microwave, optical, and infrared imagery. We analyzed ERS-1/2 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Envisat Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (ASAR) images taken over the Japan/East Sea (JES). We focused on the appearance of the contrast SAR signatures, particularly the dark features of different scales caused by various oceanic and atmospheric phenomena. Spiral eddies of different scales were detected through surface film patterns both near the coast and in the open regions of the JES in warm and cold seasons. During field experiments carried out at the Pacific Oceanological Institute (POI) Marine Station 'Cape Shults' in Peter the Great Bay, the sea surface roughness characteristics were measured during the day and night using a developed polarization spectrophotometer and various digital cameras and systems of floats. The velocity of natural and artificial slicks was estimated using video and ADCP time series of tracers deployed on the sea surface. The slopes of gravity-capillary wave power spectra varied between .4 and .5. Surface currents in the natural and artificial slicks increased with the distance from the coast, varying between 4 and 40 cm/s. The contrast of biogenic and anthropogenic slicks detected on vertical and horizontal polarization images against the background varied over a wide range. SAR images and ancillary satellite and field data were processed and analyzed using specialized GIS for marine coastal areas.