Remote sensing technique for near-surface wind by optical images of rough water surface

The study of a new remote-sensing technique for the investigation of near-surface wind fields is an important oceanographic problem. This article is focused on a new method of recording wind fields by the analysis of optical images of sea surface and range-time-intensity images (RTI images) of the sea surface. An RTI image constructed from optical profiles of the sea surface is an optical analogue of a side-looking radar image of the sea surface but has a higher spatial resolution and some possibility for remote sensing of sea roughness. It is possible to form RTI images with a range from some tens of metres to tens of kilometres, depending on the spatial resolution needed. A set of original optical devices for recoding RTI images using linear arrays of CCD-photodiodes was created. An analytical model of sea surface radiance for visible light was developed taking into account the polarization of light and shadowing of surface waves for grazing view geometry. The principle of remote sensing of near-surface winds by its manifestations on a waved surface under grazing angles based on a comparison of measured and modelled surface radiance is discussed. Investigations of near-surface wind field features in internal reservoirs and various regions of the seas during the last few years have been conducted by optical systems. The structure of near-surface wind fields, eddies, wind fronts, and katabatic wind flows for ranges from hundreds of metres to some tens of kilometres was recorded and analysed. Derived data of optical monitoring of water surfaces may serve for future investigations of near-surface wind features.