The application of A/SAR monitoring of tidal channel sand wave migration; a case study applied to the Lister Tief

Mark Slater, Robin Vaughan
University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 4HN, Scotland
m.t.slater@dundee.ac.uk

ABSTRACT

Initial SAR imagery and subsequent research has demonstrated the application of space borne SAR for shallow water morphological mapping. As part of the OROMA (Operational Radar & Optical Mapping) project and linked to both ground based radar and ship-borne observations a study was undertaken to assess the potential for SAR based monitoring of sand wave migration within a tidal channel. A study site at the Lister Teif was selected which contained migrating sand waves with average 200-500m wavelength and 5-10m height and as such sufficient to produce surface capillary wave features. With depths between 20-30m and a Gamma Mapped noise reduced 90-120m spatial resolution the potential surface backscatter properties of the sand waves were at the expected limits for SAR seabed imaging. Examination and processing of suitable (tidal phase) SAR and ASAR imagery demonstrated two features, a poor operational temporal resolution but when available an observed correlation between SAR backscatter features and structures identified via ground based observations. The poor operational temporal resolution (one image every 3-4 years) reflected the precise requirements for optimal tidal and surface wind conditions coincident with a SAR pass. Thus although ASAR and ASAR imagery has the potential to map deeper tidal channel sand waves its average temporal operational availability limits application for coastal zone morphological monitoring.

Last Update: 2005-03-15