Class GIS Applied to the Ocean

This curricular unit consists in understanding the fundamentals of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) theory, allowing to explain the process of signing dynamic processes of the ocean. In this sense, atmospheric and oceanic processes will be addressed, capable of forming distinct signatures and patterns on the surface of the aquatic environment in SAR radar images.

Not applicable

- Theories of the interaction of electromagnetic and oceanic waves. - Principles and introduction to Synthetic Aperture Radars. - Comparison with a real aperture radar. - Enhancement of spatial resolution in azimuth. - Enhancement of resolution in range (chirped pulse). - SAR image calibration; Models of radar backscatter from the ocean surface. - Bragg scattering theory. - Doppler effect “Train-off-the-Track”. - Radar imaging of ocean surface waves. - Bathymetry retrieval from shoaling ocean surface waves. - Weak hydrodynamic interaction theory and applications in the detection of ocean fronts and internal waves; SAR imaging of oil spills (automatic segmentation based on “k-means” algorithms). - Wind speed retrieval at the sea surface based on SAR measurements. - Dual polarization techniques and components separation: Bragg and non-polarized (applications). - Synergy with other sensors and applications.

The teaching methodology uses the expository method. It uses illustrative slides (provided to students), presenting the subjects, as well as in the resolution of practical exercises toward the use of radar images. In addition to the applied methodology, algorithms will be presented, for processing SAR images, through the realization and subsequent evaluation of works. There will be a written work that will allow the students' basic knowledge to be assessed (with 25% in the weight of the final evaluation) and a practical work proposal on the computer (with the remaining 75% in the weight of the evaluation).

Jackson C.; Apel, J. - Synthetic Aperture Radar Marine User’s Manual, NOAA. Zheng, Q. - Satellite SAR Detection of Sub-Mesoscale Ocean Dynamic Processes. 2017. World Scientific Publishing Company. ISBN-13: 978-9814749008.