Multi-polarization radar backscatter signatures of internal waves at L-band

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2022

Authors

de Macedo, CR (Author) Other; da Silva, JCB (Author) FCUP; Buono, A (Author) Other; Migliaccio, M (Author) Other

Journal

Title: International Journal of Remote Sensing

Vol. 43

Pages: 1943-1959

ISSN: 0143-1161

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 5 Citations

Scopus

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00W-EHX

DOI: 10.1080/01431161.2022.2050435

Abstract (EN): In this study, the scattering mechanisms associated to internal waves (IWs) are investigated at L-band. IWs represent key geophysical factors for sea-air heat exchange and play a paramount role in the biological primary production and in the understanding of the evolution of climate ecosystem. In addition, a better understanding of IWs microwave scattering mechanisms can improve the modeling capability and, therefore, can boost the development on advanced synthetic aperture radar (SAR)-based added-value products to mitigate the risk for offshore drilling operations and aquaculture activities associated to IWs. The analysis of L-band multi-polarization SAR scattering of IWs under the influence of surface current straining is performed using a meaningful full-polarimetric Advanced Land Observing Satellite Phased Array type L-band 1 SAR data set collected over IWs observed under different imaging and wind conditions. Time and space co-located ancillary information is also available. Experimental results demonstrate that the non-polarized scattering mechanisms constitute a significant contribution to the total IW backscattering, especially in the case of surface current gradients owing to IWs (about 48-57%). It is also found that the non-polarized scattering contribution associated to IW concentrates along the wave crests, i.e. it is at least 60% larger than the one observed along the wave troughs. In addition, considering the IW traveling directions relative to that of the wind, the non-polarized scattering contribution associated to IWs is more remarkable at upwind direction while it is less significant at down/crosswind directions. The non-polarized scattering mechanisms also calls for a modulation induced by IWs which is much more significant,i.e. at least three times, that the one that characterizes the polarized scattering mechanism.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 17