• Ocean and Polar Research
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.111-119
• /
• 2009

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.

• Proceedings of the KSRS Conference
• /
• 2003.11a
• /
• pp.1124-1126
• /
• 2003

The processes of regional scales in the East Korean coastal waters were investigated by analysis of the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images taken by the European Research Satellites ERS-1, ERS-2 and Envisat. More than 500 quick look frames taken in 1991-2003 were examined to detect the frames with clearly surface expressions of oceanic phenomena. 26 ERS-1/2 SAR and 11 Envisat wide swath Advanced SAR (ASAR) frames were selected and obtained from the European Space Agency in a form of the precision high-resolution images. The following oceanic phenomena and processes were evident in the radar imagery through the Korean costal waters: fronts, currents, eddies, internal waves, island and ship wakes, oil pollution, etc. They manifested themselves in the field of sea surface roughness, their scale ranged from several tens meters to about 100 km. The most common morphology of these phenomena was a series of contrast dark or light curvilinear lines and bands. The joint analysis of the discussed SAR images with other satellite and in situ data supported and enhanced our interpretation of SAR signatures.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.65-69
• /
• 2007

The processes of regional scales in the East Korean coastal waters were investigated by analysis of the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images taken by the European Research Satellites ERS-1, ERS-2 and Envisat. More than 500 quick look frames taken in 1991-2003 were examined to detect the frames with clearly surface expressions of oceanic phenomena. 26 ERS-1/2 SAR and 11 Envisat wide swath Advanced SAR (ASAR) frames were selected and obtained from the European Space Agency in a form of the precision high-resolution images. The following oceanic phenomena and processes were evident in the radar imagery through the Korean costal waters: fronts, currents, eddies, internal waves, island and ship wakes, oil pollution, etc. They manifested themselves in the field of sea surface roughness, their scale ranged from several tens meters to about 100 km. The most common morphology of these phenomena was a series of contrast dark or light curvilinear lines and bands. The joint analysis of the discussed SAR images with other satellite and in situ data supported and enhanced our interpretation of SAR signatures.