Monitoring the marine environment in Russia, Ukraine and Kasakhstan using satellite synthetic aperture radar

Informazioni relative al progetto

MONRUK

ID dell’accordo di sovvenzione: 31001

Progetto chiuso

Data di avvio 1 Luglio 2007

Data di completamento 30 Giugno 2009

Finanziato da

• Aeronautics and Space: thematic priority 4 under the Focusing and Integrating Community Research programme 2002-2006.

Costo totale € 1 044 228,00

Contributo UE € 632 314,00

Coordinato da

NANSEN ENVIRONMENTAL AND REMOTE SENSING CENTER
Norway

Exploitable results

The prospects of using remote sensing data from space radar systems to the benefit of the Black Sea ecosystems and inhabitants

The overall objective of Monruk was to develop and implement satellite Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) monitoring of the marine environment in Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan (the RUK area) as a contribution to development of GMES marine services in (1) the Barents and Kara Seas, (2) the Black Sea and (3) the Caspian Sea. Satellite SAR images for the three study areas were collected in order to develop and validate retrieval algorithms for ocean and sea ice parameters. In addition to SAR data, optical, infrared and scatterometer data have been used to observe sea surface temperature, ocean colour and surface wind. In addition to SAR data analysis, optical and IR data, met-ocean data from models and in situ platforms were used. The main tools in the SAR analysis were the Radar imaging model (RIM) and the Atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) model provided by Niersc and the Sartool provided by BOOST/CLS. These tools were distributed and used by the consortium partners as part of the data analysis in the project. SAR data acquisition and processing system This is a system for downloading Envisat ASAR images from ESA's rolling archive where data are available for GMES monitoring projects and other research projects that need regular access to SAR data for marine areas. The system allows users to search in archive of SAR data, browse quicklooks and process selected images with relevant software tools. The system is non-commercial and made for use in operational SAR-based services. At present, the system calculates wind speed and Doppler velocity automatically, and ice classification is presently under implementation. It is planned to implement more algorithms for retrieval of ocean and sea ice parameters. At present the system is password-protected because of the data policy for SAR data. Future use of the system is expected to have open access and be adapted for exploitation of Sentinel-1 data. The system will be further developed in the Norwegian satellite earth observation database for marine and polar research (Normap). This is a research infrastructure funded by the Research Council of Norway for 2010-2016. Sartool software package. This software package has been developed over several years by BOOST Technologies, and Monruk has contributed to further development and implementation of the package. Sartool is designed for analysis of SAR images for marine studies, including retrieval of wind, detection of oil slicks, ship detection and inclusion of data from other satellites, bathymetry, coastline, and model output. Through user demonstrations BOOST has received feedback from users about improvement of the Sartool. Algorithms for retrieval of sea ice parameters and icebergs are under implementation. It is a commercial system where users purchase a licence and get support from BOOST. Radar Imaging Model This is a radar scattering model for simulation of SAR images of the ocean surface with prescribed wind, waves, temperature and slicks. The model is used to quantify the effect of varying surface conditions on the SAR signature. The model is useful for analysis and interpretation of signatures in real SAR images from all available SAR systems. The model is developed by Niersc and NERSC and is available as non-commercial software. The model will be further developed and tested on SAR data with different frequency, polarisation and incidence angles. SAR data analysis results A number of scientific results using SAR data and the analysis tools have been obtained in the three study areas. The studies have shown that SAR is a useful data source for identification and retrieval of ocean and sea ice parameters and processes. This contributes to improved detection and monitoring of the marine environment and to build up new knowledge about the processes at the sea surface. Two topics are particular relevant in the study areas, namely the detection and mapping of oil spills and sea ice. These phenomena are essential to monitor from satellites because they have strong impact on the environment and human operations. Many users have requested that SAR monitoring systems should be established in the study regions, and follow-up projects to Monruk should be initiated because of the need to obtain the information that SAR can provide. This shows that there is a demand for SAR monitoring systems and necessary step should therefore be taken to establish such system in the Barents-Kara Sea, the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea.