Polarimetric Signatures of Sea Ice. Part 1; Theoretical Model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nghiem, S. V.; Kwok, R.; Yueh, S. H.; Drinkwater, M. R.

1995-01-01

Physical, structural, and electromagnetic properties and interrelating processes in sea ice are used to develop a composite model for polarimetric backscattering signatures of sea ice. Physical properties of sea ice constituents such as ice, brine, air, and salt are presented in terms of their effects on electromagnetic wave interactions. Sea ice structure and geometry of scatterers are related to wave propagation, attenuation, and scattering. Temperature and salinity, which are determining factors for the thermodynamic phase distribution in sea ice, are consistently used to derive both effective permittivities and polarimetric scattering coefficients. Polarimetric signatures of sea ice depend on crystal sizes and brine volumes, which are affected by ice growth rates. Desalination by brine expulsion, drainage, or other mechanisms modifies wave penetration and scattering. Sea ice signatures are further complicated by surface conditions such as rough interfaces, hummocks, snow cover, brine skim, or slush layer. Based on the same set of geophysical parameters characterizing sea ice, a composite model is developed to calculate effective permittivities and backscattering covariance matrices at microwave frequencies for interpretation of sea ice polarimetric signatures.

A two-scale scattering model with application to the JONSWAP '75 aircraft microwave scatterometer experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wentz, F. J.

1977-01-01

The general problem of bistatic scattering from a two scale surface was evaluated. The treatment was entirely two-dimensional and in a vector formulation independent of any particular coordinate system. The two scale scattering model was then applied to backscattering from the sea surface. In particular, the model was used in conjunction with the JONSWAP 1975 aircraft scatterometer measurements to determine the sea surface's two scale roughness distributions, namely the probability density of the large scale surface slope and the capillary wavenumber spectrum. Best fits yield, on the average, a 0.7 dB rms difference between the model computations and the vertical polarization measurements of the normalized radar cross section. Correlations between the distribution parameters and the wind speed were established from linear, least squares regressions.

Microwave vector radiative transfer equation of a sea foam layer by the second-order Rayleigh approximation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, En-Bo

2011-10-01

The microwave vector radiative transfer (VRT) equation of a coated spherical bubble layer is derived by means of the second-order Rayleigh approximation field when the microwave wavelength is larger than the coated spherical particle diameter. Meanwhile, the perturbation method is developed to solve the second-order Rayleigh VRT equation for the small ratio of the volume scattering coefficient to the extinction coefficient. As an example, the emissive properties of a sea surface foam layer, which consists of seawater coated bubbles, are investigated. The extinction, absorption, and scattering coefficients of sea foam are obtained by the second-order Rayleigh approximation fields and discussed for the different microwave frequencies and the ratio of inner radius to outer radius of a coated bubble. Our results show that in the dilute limit, the volume scattering coefficient decreases with increasing the ratio of inner radius to outer radius and decreasing the frequencies. It is also found that the microwave emissivity and the extinction coefficient have a peak at very thin seawater coating and its peak value decreases with frequency decrease. Furthermore, with the VRT equation and effective medium approximation of densely coated bubbles, the mechanism of sea foam enhancing the emissivity of a sea surface is disclosed. In addition, excellent agreement is obtained by comparing our VRT results with the experimental data of microwave emissivities of sea surface covered by a sea foam layer at L-band (1.4 GHz) and the Camps' model.

Study of scattering from turbulence structure generated by propeller with FLUENT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luo, Gen

2017-07-01

In this article, the turbulence structure generated by a propeller is simulated with the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software FLUENT. With the method of moments, the backscattering radar cross sections (RCS) of the turbulence structure are calculated. The scattering results can reflect the turbulent intensity of the wave profiles. For the wake turbulence with low rotating speed, the scattering intensity of HH polarization is much smaller than VV polarization at large incident angles. When the turbulence becomes stronger with high rotating speed, the scattering intensity of HH polarization also becomes stronger at large incident angles, which is almost the same with VV polarization. And also, the bistatic scattering of the turbulence structure has the similar situation. These scattering results indicate that the turbulence structure can also give rise to an anomaly compared with traditional sea surface. The study of electromagnetic (EM) scattering from turbulence structure generated by the propeller can help in better understanding of the scattering from different kinds of waves and provide more bases to explain the anomalies of EM scattering from sea surfaces.

Detailed real-time infrared radiation simulation applied to the sea surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Xuemin; Wu, Limin; Long, Liang; Zhang, Lisha

2018-01-01

In this paper, the infrared radiation characteristics of sea background have been studied. First, MODTRAN4.0 was used to calculate the transmittance of mid-infrared and far-infrared, and the solar spectral irradiance, the atmospheric and sea surface radiation. Secondly, according to the JONSWAP sea spectrum model, the different sea conditions grid model based on gravity wave theory was generated. The spectral scattering of the sun and the atmospheric background radiation was studied. The total infrared radiation of the sea surface was calculated. Finally, the infrared radiation of a piece of sea surface was mapped to each pixel of the detector, and the infrared radiation is simulated. The conclusion is that solar radiance has a great influence on the infrared radiance. When the detector angle is close to the sun's height angle, there will be bright spots on the sea surface.

Glistening-region model for multipath studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Groves, Gordon W.; Chow, Winston C.

1998-07-01

The goal is to achieve a model of radar sea reflection with improved fidelity that is amenable to practical implementation. The geometry of reflection from a wavy surface is formulated. The sea surface is divided into two components: the smooth `chop' consisting of the longer wavelengths, and the `roughness' of the short wavelengths. Ordinary geometric reflection from the chop surface is broadened by the roughness. This same representation serves both for forward scatter and backscatter (sea clutter). The `Road-to-Happiness' approximation, in which the mean sea surface is assumed cylindrical, simplifies the reflection geometry for low-elevation targets. The effect of surface roughness is assumed to make the sea reflection coefficient depending on the `Deviation Angle' between the specular and the scattering directions. The `specular' direction is that into which energy would be reflected by a perfectly smooth facet. Assuming that the ocean waves are linear and random allows use of Gaussian statistics, greatly simplifying the formulation by allowing representation of the sea chop by three parameters. An approximation of `low waves' and retention of the sea-chop slope components only through second order provides further simplification. The simplifying assumptions make it possible to take the predicted 2D ocean wave spectrum into account in the calculation of sea-surface radar reflectivity, to provide algorithms for support of an operational system for dealing with target tracking in the presence of multipath. The product will be of use in simulated studies to evaluate different trade-offs in alternative tracking schemes, and will form the basis of a tactical system for ship defense against low flyers.

Theory and measure of certain image norms in SAR

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Raney, R. K.

1984-01-01

The principal properties of synthetic aperture radar SAR imagery of point and distributed objects are summarized. Against this background, the response of a SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) to the moving surface of the sea is considered. Certain conclusions are drawn as to the mechanism of interaction between microwaves and the sea surface. Focus and speckle spectral tests may be used on selected SAR imagery for areas of the ocean. The fine structure of the sea imagery is sensitive to processor focus and adjustment. The ocean reflectivity mechanism must include point like scatterers of sufficient radar cross section to dominate the return from certain individual resolution elements. Both specular and diffuse scattering mechanisms are observed together, to varying degree. The effect is sea state dependent. Several experiments are proposed based on imaging theory that could assist in the investigation of reflectivity mechanisms.

The Harp probe - An in situ Bragg scattering sensor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mollo-Christensen, E.; Huang, N. E.; Long, S. R.; Bliven, L. F.

1984-01-01

A wave sensor, consisting of parallel, evenly spaced capacitance wires, whose output is the sum of the water surface deflections at the wires, has been built and tested in a wave tank. The probe output simulates Bragg scattering of electromagnetic waves from a water surface with waves; it can be used to simulate electromagnetic probing of the sea surface by radar. The study establishes that the wave probe, called the 'Harp' for short, will simulate Bragg scattering and that it can also be used to study nonlinear wave processes.

Discrimination of first year sea ice thickness classes from a quad-Pol SAR image.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hudier, E. J. J.

2016-12-01

Several methods have been developed to relate the average scattering represented by a T3 matrix into a dominant physical mechanism. These decomposition theorems rewrite the coherency matrix as the sum of physical components. Data extracted through these methods can then be used to classify ice areas according to a similarity in the statistics regarding those components. As the ice sheet is still thin enough to rupture under compressive forces, wind and current drag forces erect ridges at the periphery of un-deformed ice plates while opening up leads in which a an ice cover quickly develops. Freeze up under colder temperatures cause the ice to retain more salt in its upper layers therefore altering radar scattering compared to older ice areas. The statistics presented in the result section were computed implementing an eigenvalue/eigenvector decomposition method coupled with a whishart classifier on RadarSat II images of a late spring sea ice. It first shows a good resolution of the different ice environments characterized as a) linear ridges, b) rubble fields, c) old un-deformed ice and, d) young (thus thinner) un-deformed ice. The alpha angle parameter is coherent with a dominant surface scattering mechanism all over the scene which is consistent with a late spring sea ice and leads us to anticipate a classification mostly linked to surface roughness and ice surface orientation (in ridges). It is thus interesting to note than un-deformed ice areas result in two separate classes. We observe that areas of ice formed later during the winter season are well identified and their limits clearly delineated. Whereas, other ice areas display a certain diversity in term of scattering mechanisms, this type of ice turned out to be an almost perfect forward scatterer. While the main factor allowing to separate this type of ice from the rest of the sea ice may be the salt content of the surface layer, it gives an indirect way to discriminate sea ice areas of different thicknesses. Within areas of older ice, it worth noticing that continuous pressure ridges are resolved essentially as broken lines. Ridge extraction resulting mostly from the occurrence that one or several ice blocks within a target be oriented in a way that may cause single and double bounce scattering, odds remain high that such an occurrence do not happen.

Detection and Characterization of Deep Water Wave Breaking Using Moderate Incidence Angle Microwave Backscatter from the Sea Surface

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-06-01

interaction and wave breaking. The ocean surface can be modelled as a two-scale or composite surface - 21 - made up of short wind-generated ripples... composite or two-scale rough surface (Barrick and Peake, 1968). For radar wavelengths on the order of a few centimeters, the resonant scatterers are...short wind ripples which ride on top of long gravity waves, and a - 46 - composite model is used to describe the two-scale nature of the sea surface

Polarimetric Doppler spectrum of backscattered echoes from nonlinear sea surface damped by natural slicks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Pengju; Guo, Lixin

2016-11-01

Based on the Lombardini et al. model that can predict the hydrodynamic damping of rough sea surfaces in the presence of monomolecular slicks and the "choppy wave" model (CWM) that can describe the nonlinear interactions between ocean waves, the modeling of time-varying nonlinear sea surfaces damped by natural or organic sea slicks is presented in this paper. The polarimetric scattering model of second-order small-slope approximation (SSA-II) with tapered wave incidence is utilized for evaluating co- and cross-polarized backscattered echoes from clean and contaminated CWM nonlinear sea surfaces. The influence of natural sea slicks on Doppler shift and spectral bandwidth of radar sea echoes is investigated in detail by comparing the polarimetric Doppler spectra of contaminated sea surfaces with those of clean sea surfaces. A narrowing of Doppler spectra in the presence of oil slicks is observed for both co- and cross-polarization, which is qualitatively consistent with wave-tank measurements. Simulation results also show that the Doppler shifts in slicks can increase or decrease, depending on incidence angles and polarizations.

Potential Elevation Biases for Laser Altimeters from Subsurface Scattered Photons: Laboratory and Model Exploration of Green Light Scattering in Snow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Greeley, A.; Neumann, T.; Markus, T.; Kurtz, N. T.; Cook, W. B.

2015-12-01

Existing visible light laser altimeters such as MABEL (Multiple Altimeter Beam Experimental Lidar) - a single photon counting simulator for ATLAS (Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter System) on NASA's upcoming ICESat-2 mission - and ATM (Airborne Topographic Mapper) on NASA's Operation IceBridge mission provide scientists a view of Earth's ice sheets, glaciers, and sea ice with unprecedented detail. Precise calibration of these instruments is needed to understand rapidly changing parameters like sea ice freeboard and to measure optical properties of surfaces like snow covered ice sheets using subsurface scattered photons. Photons travelling into snow, ice, or water before scattering back to the altimeter receiving system (subsurface photons) travel farther and longer than photons scattering off the surface only, causing a bias in the measured elevation. We seek to identify subsurface photons in a laboratory setting using a flight-tested laser altimeter (MABEL) and to quantify their effect on surface elevation estimates for laser altimeter systems. We also compare these estimates with previous laboratory measurements of green laser light transmission through snow, as well as Monte Carlo simulations of backscattered photons from snow.

Radiative transfer in the earth's atmosphere and ocean: influence of ocean waves.

PubMed

Plass, G N; Kattawar, G W; Guinn, J A

1975-08-01

The radiance in the earth's atmosphere and ocean is calculated for a realistic model including an ocean surface with waves. Individual photons are followed in a Monte Carlo calculation. In the atmosphere, both Rayleigh scattering by the molecules and Mie scattering by the aerosols as well as molecular and aerosol absorption are taken into account. Similarly, in the ocean, both Rayleigh scattering by the water molecules and Mie scattering by the hydrosols as well as absorption by the water molecules and hydrosols are considered. Separate single-scattering functions are used which are calculated separately for the aerosols and the hydrosols from the Mie theory with appropriate and different size distributions in each case. The scattering angles are determined from the appropriate scattering function including the strong forwardscattering peak when there is aerosol or hydrosol scattering. Both the reflected and refracted rays, as well as the rays that undergo total internal reflection, are followed at the oceanc surface. The wave slope is chosen from the Cox-Munk distribution. Graphs show the influence of the waves on the upward radiance at the top of the atmosphere and just above the ocean surface and on the downward radiance just below the ocean surface as well as deeper within the ocean. The radiance changes are sufficient at the top of the atmosphere to determine the sea state from satellite measurements. Within the ocean the waves smooth out the abrupt transition that occurs at the edge of the allowed cone for radiation entering a calm ocean. The influence of the waves on the contrast between the sky and sea at the horizon is discussed. It is shown that the downward flux just below the surface increases with wind speed at all solar angles.

Microwave scattering models and basic experiments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fung, Adrian K.

1989-01-01

Progress is summarized which has been made in four areas of study: (1) scattering model development for sparsely populated media, such as a forested area; (2) scattering model development for dense media, such as a sea ice medium or a snow covered terrain; (3) model development for randomly rough surfaces; and (4) design and conduct of basic scattering and attenuation experiments suitable for the verification of theoretical models.

Experimental evaluation of theoretical sea surface reflectance factors relevant to above-water radiometry.

PubMed

Zibordi, Giuseppe

2016-03-21

Determination of the water-leaving radiance L_W through above-water radiometry requires knowledge of accurate reflectance factors ρ of the sea surface. Publicly available ρ relevant to above-water radiometry include theoretical data sets generated: i. by assuming a sky radiance distribution accounting for aerosols and multiple scattering, but neglecting polarization, and quantifying sea surface effects through Cox-Munk wave slope statistics; or differently ii. accounting for polarization, but assuming an ideal Rayleigh sky radiance distribution, and quantifying sea surface effects through modeled wave elevation and slope variance spectra. The impact on above-water data products of differences between those factors ρ was quantified through comparison of L_W from the Ocean Color component of the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET-OC) with collocated L_W from in-water radiometry. Results from the analysis of radiance measurements from the sea performed with 40 degrees viewing angle and 90 degrees azimuth offset with respect to the sun plane, indicated a slightly better agreement between above- and in-water L_W determined for wind speeds tentatively lower than 4 m s^-1 with ρ computed accounting for aerosols, multiple scattering and Cox-Munk surfaces. Nevertheless, analyses performed by partitioning the investigated data set also indicated that actual ρ values would exhibit dependence on sun zenith comprised between those characterizing the two sets of reflectance factors.

HF ground scatter from the polar cap: Ionospheric propagation and ground surface effects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ponomarenko, P. V.; St. Maurice, J.-P.; Hussey, G. C.; Koustov, A. V.

2010-10-01

In addition to being scattered by the ionospheric field-aligned irregularities, HF radar signals can be reflected by the ionosphere toward the Earth and then scattered back to the radar by the rugged ground surface. These ground scatter (GS) echoes are responsible for a substantial part of the returns observed by HF radars making up the Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN). While a GS component is conventionally used in studying ionosphere dynamics (e.g., traveling ionospheric disturbances, ULF waves), its potential in monitoring the state of the scattering surface remains largely unexploited. To fill this gap, we investigated diurnal and seasonal variation of the ground echo occurrence and location from a poleward-looking SuperDARN radar at Rankin Inlet, Canada. Using colocated ionosonde information, we have shown that seasonal and diurnal changes in the high-latitude ionosphere periodically modulate the overall echo occurrence rate and spatial coverage. In addition, characteristics of GS from a particular geographic location are strongly affected by the state of the underlying ground surface. We have shown that (1) ice sheets rarely produce detectable backscatter, (2) mountain ranges are the major source of GS as they can produce echoes at all seasons of the year, and (3) sea surface becomes a significant source of GS once the Arctic sea ice has melted away. Finally, we discuss how the obtained results can expand SuperDARN abilities in monitoring both the ionosphere and ground surface.

A noncoherent model for microwave emissions and backscattering from the sea surface

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wu, S. T.; Fung, A. K.

1973-01-01

The two-scale (small irregularities superimposed upon large undulations) scattering theory proposed by Semyonov was extended and used to compute microwave apparent temperature and the backscattering cross section from ocean surfaces. The effect of the small irregularities upon the scattering characteristics of the large undulations is included by modifying the Fresnel reflection coefficients; whereas the effect of the large undulations upon those of the small irregularities is taken into account by averaging over the surface normals of the large undulations. The same set of surface parameters is employed for a given wind speed to predict both the scattering and the emission characteristics at both polarizations.

Bay of Bengal Surface and Thermocline and the Arabian Sea

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-09-30

to the atmosphere. How low the SSS gets in the Bay of Bengal or how high in the Arabian Sea, depends on the oceanic exchanges between them via a...potential impact on the SST. 3 Figure 1a: Sea surface temperature (SST) and salinity ( SSS ) relationship during ASIRI 2013 cruises. The left panel...shows the hull ADCP vector, color-coded for SSS . The SST/ SSS scatter falls along a line from the warm/salty southern regions to the cool/fresher

Vertical coherence and forward scattering from the sea surface and the relation to the directional wave spectrum.

PubMed

Dahl, Peter H; Plant, William J; Dall'Osto, David R

2013-09-01

Results of an experiment to measure vertical spatial coherence from acoustic paths interacting once with the sea surface but at perpendicular azimuth angles are presented. The measurements were part of the Shallow Water 2006 program that took place off the coast of New Jersey in August 2006. An acoustic source, frequency range 6-20 kHz, was deployed at depth 40 m, and signals were recorded on a 1.4 m long vertical line array centered at depth 25 m and positioned at range 200 m. The vertical array consisted of four omni-directional hydrophones and vertical coherences were computed between pairs of these hydrophones. Measurements were made over four source-receiver bearing angles separated by 90°, during which sea surface conditions remained stable and characterized by a root-mean-square wave height of 0.17 m and a mixture of swell and wind waves. Vertical coherences show a statistically significant difference depending on source-receiver bearing when the acoustic frequency is less than about 12 kHz, with results tending to fade at higher frequencies. This paper presents field observations and comparisons of these observations with two modeling approaches, one based on bistatic forward scattering and the other on a rough surface parabolic wave equation utilizing synthetic sea surfaces.

Characteristics of ocean-reflected short radar pulses with application to altimetry and surface roughness determination

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miller, L. S.; Hayne, G. S.

1972-01-01

Current work related to geodetic altimetry is summarized. Special emphasis is placed on the effects of pulse length on both altimetry and sea-state estimation. Some discussion is also given of system tradeoff parameters and sea truth requirements to support scattering studies. The problem of analyzing signal characteristics and altimeter waveforms arising from rough surface backscattering is also considered.

Models for Electromagnetic Scattering from the Sea at Extremely Low Grazing Angles

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-12-31

34 wedgy " rather than a "wavy" surface. this author found such a surface to have the expected k-minus-four spectrum. but with a spectral scale factor that...zero grazing angle across the top of the wedge (Fig. 19b. correspond- ing to the normal wedgy sea of our low-angle model.) We see that the polarization

On the classification of mixed floating pollutants on the Yellow Sea of China by using a quad-polarized SAR image

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Xiaochen; Shao, Yun; Tian, Wei; Li, Kun

2018-06-01

This study explored different methodologies using a C-band RADARSAT-2 quad-polarized Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) image located over China's Yellow Sea to investigate polarization decomposition parameters for identifying mixed floating pollutants from a complex ocean background. It was found that solitary polarization decomposition did not meet the demand for detecting and classifying multiple floating pollutants, even after applying a polarized SAR image. Furthermore, considering that Yamaguchi decomposition is sensitive to vegetation and the algal variety Enteromorpha prolifera, while H/A/alpha decomposition is sensitive to oil spills, a combination of parameters which was deduced from these two decompositions was proposed for marine environmental monitoring of mixed floating sea surface pollutants. A combination of volume scattering, surface scattering, and scattering entropy was the best indicator for classifying mixed floating pollutants from a complex ocean background. The Kappa coefficients for Enteromorpha prolifera and oil spills were 0.7514 and 0.8470, respectively, evidence that the composite polarized parameters based on quad-polarized SAR imagery proposed in this research is an effective monitoring method for complex marine pollution.

Aerosol optical depth under "clear" sky conditions derived from sea surface reflection of lidar signals.

PubMed

He, Min; Hu, Yongxiang; Huang, Jian Ping; Stamnes, Knut

2016-12-26

There are considerable demands for accurate atmospheric correction of satellite observations of the sea surface or subsurface signal. Surface and sub-surface reflection under "clear" atmospheric conditions can be used to study atmospheric correction for the simplest possible situation. Here "clear" sky means a cloud-free atmosphere with sufficiently small aerosol particles. The "clear" aerosol concept is defined according to the spectral dependence of the scattering cross section on particle size. A 5-year combined CALIPSO and AMSR-E data set was used to derive the aerosol optical depth (AOD) from the lidar signal reflected from the sea surface. Compared with the traditional lidar-retrieved AOD, which relies on lidar backscattering measurements and an assumed lidar ratio, the AOD retrieved through the surface reflectance method depends on both scattering and absorption because it is based on two-way attenuation of the lidar signal transmitted to and then reflected from the surface. The results show that the clear sky AOD derived from the surface signal agrees with the clear sky AOD available in the CALIPSO level 2 database in the westerly wind belt located in the southern hemisphere, but yields significantly higher aerosol loadings in the tropics and in the northern hemisphere.

Scattering by Artificial Wind and Rain Roughened Water Surfaces at Oblique Incidences

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Craeye, C.; Sobieski, P. W.; Bliven, L. F.

1997-01-01

Rain affects wind retrievals from scatterometric measurements of the sea surface. To depict the additional roughness caused by rain on a wind driven surface, we use a ring-wave spectral model. This enables us to analyse the rain effect on K(u) band scatterometric observations from two laboratory experiments. Calculations based on the small perturbation method provide good simulation of scattering measurements for the rain-only case, whereas for combined wind and rain cases, the boundary perturbation method is appropriate.

Non-Rayleigh Sea Clutter: Properties and Detection of Targets

DTIC Science & Technology

1976-06-25

subject should consult Guinard and Daley [7], which provides an overview of the theory and references all the I______.... important work. 6 * .-- - - S...results for scattering from slightly rough surfaces and composite surfaces obtained by Rice [1], Wright [2,3], Valenzuela [4-6], Guinard and Daley [7], and...for vertical polarization. In 1970, Trunk and George [10] considered the log-normal and contaminated-normal descriptions of sea clutter and calculated

Microwave Remote Sensing Modeling of Ocean Surface Salinity and Winds Using an Empirical Sea Surface Spectrum

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yueh, Simon H.

2004-01-01

Active and passive microwave remote sensing techniques have been investigated for the remote sensing of ocean surface wind and salinity. We revised an ocean surface spectrum using the CMOD-5 geophysical model function (GMF) for the European Remote Sensing (ERS) C-band scatterometer and the Ku-band GMF for the NASA SeaWinds scatterometer. The predictions of microwave brightness temperatures from this model agree well with satellite, aircraft and tower-based microwave radiometer data. This suggests that the impact of surface roughness on microwave brightness temperatures and radar scattering coefficients of sea surfaces can be consistently characterized by a roughness spectrum, providing physical basis for using combined active and passive remote sensing techniques for ocean surface wind and salinity remote sensing.

Experimental validation of the MODTRAN 5.3 sea surface radiance model using MIRAMER campaign measurements.

PubMed

Ross, Vincent; Dion, Denis; St-Germain, Daniel

2012-05-01

Radiometric images taken in mid-wave and long-wave infrared bands are used as a basis for validating a sea surface bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) being implemented into MODTRAN 5 (Berk et al. [Proc. SPIE5806, 662 (2005)]). The images were obtained during the MIRAMER campaign that took place in May 2008 in the Mediterranean Sea near Toulon, France. When atmosphere radiances are matched at the horizon to remove possible calibration offsets, the implementation of the BRDF in MODTRAN produces good sea surface radiance agreement, usually within 2% and at worst 4% from off-glint azimuthally averaged measurements. Simulations also compare quite favorably to glint measurements. The observed sea radiance deviations between model and measurements are not systematic, and are well within expected experimental uncertainties. This is largely attributed to proper radiative coupling between the surface and the atmosphere implemented using the DISORT multiple scattering algorithm.

Integrated ray tracing simulation of annual variation of spectral bio-signatures from cloud free 3D optical Earth model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ryu, Dongok; Kim, Sug-Whan; Kim, Dae Wook; Lee, Jae-Min; Lee, Hanshin; Park, Won Hyun; Seong, Sehyun; Ham, Sun-Jeong

2010-09-01

Understanding the Earth spectral bio-signatures provides an important reference datum for accurate de-convolution of collapsed spectral signals from potential earth-like planets of other star systems. This study presents a new ray tracing computation method including an improved 3D optical earth model constructed with the coastal line and vegetation distribution data from the Global Ecological Zone (GEZ) map. Using non-Lambertian bidirectional scattering distribution function (BSDF) models, the input earth surface model is characterized with three different scattering properties and their annual variations depending on monthly changes in vegetation distribution, sea ice coverage and illumination angle. The input atmosphere model consists of one layer with Rayleigh scattering model from the sea level to 100 km in altitude and its radiative transfer characteristics is computed for four seasons using the SMART codes. The ocean scattering model is a combination of sun-glint scattering and Lambertian scattering models. The land surface scattering is defined with the semi empirical parametric kernel method used for MODIS and POLDER missions. These three component models were integrated into the final Earth model that was then incorporated into the in-house built integrated ray tracing (IRT) model capable of computing both spectral imaging and radiative transfer performance of a hypothetical space instrument as it observes the Earth from its designated orbit. The IRT model simulation inputs include variation in earth orientation, illuminated phases, and seasonal sea ice and vegetation distribution. The trial simulation runs result in the annual variations in phase dependent disk averaged spectra (DAS) and its associated bio-signatures such as NDVI. The full computational details are presented together with the resulting annual variation in DAS and its associated bio-signatures.

Monte Carlo simulation of wave sensing with a short pulse radar

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Levine, D. M.; Davisson, L. D.; Kutz, R. L.

1977-01-01

A Monte Carlo simulation is used to study the ocean wave sensing potential of a radar which scatters short pulses at small off-nadir angles. In the simulation, realizations of a random surface are created commensurate with an assigned probability density and power spectrum. Then the signal scattered back to the radar is computed for each realization using a physical optics analysis which takes wavefront curvature and finite radar-to-surface distance into account. In the case of a Pierson-Moskowitz spectrum and a normally distributed surface, reasonable assumptions for a fully developed sea, it has been found that the cumulative distribution of time intervals between peaks in the scattered power provides a measure of surface roughness. This observation is supported by experiments.

Equations for normal-mode statistics of sound scattering by a rough elastic boundary in an underwater waveguide, including backscattering.

PubMed

Morozov, Andrey K; Colosi, John A

2017-09-01

Underwater sound scattering by a rough sea surface, ice, or a rough elastic bottom is studied. The study includes both the scattering from the rough boundary and the elastic effects in the solid layer. A coupled mode matrix is approximated by a linear function of one random perturbation parameter such as the ice-thickness or a perturbation of the surface position. A full two-way coupled mode solution is used to derive the stochastic differential equation for the second order statistics in a Markov approximation.

New Techniques for Radar Altimetry of Sea Ice and the Polar Oceans

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Armitage, T. W. K.; Kwok, R.; Egido, A.; Smith, W. H. F.; Cullen, R.

2017-12-01

Satellite radar altimetry has proven to be a valuable tool for remote sensing of the polar oceans, with techniques for estimating sea ice thickness and sea surface height in the ice-covered ocean advancing to the point of becoming routine, if not operational, products. Here, we explore new techniques in radar altimetry of the polar oceans and the sea ice cover. First, we present results from fully-focused SAR (FFSAR) altimetry; by accounting for the phase evolution of scatterers in the scene, the FFSAR technique applies an inter-burst coherent integration, potentially over the entire duration that a scatterer remains in the altimeter footprint, which can narrow the effective along track resolution to just 0.5m. We discuss the improvement of using interleaved operation over burst-more operation for applying FFSAR processing to data acquired by future missions, such as a potential CryoSat follow-on. Second, we present simulated sea ice retrievals from the Ka-band Radar Interferometer (KaRIn), the instrument that will be launched on the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission in 2021, that is capable of producing swath images of surface elevation. These techniques offer the opportunity to advance our understanding of the physics of the ice-covered oceans, plus new insight into how we interpret more conventional radar altimetry data in these regions.

Estimation of the sea surface's two-scale backscatter parameters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wentz, F. J.

1978-01-01

The relationship between the sea-surface normalized radar cross section and the friction velocity vector is determined using a parametric two-scale scattering model. The model parameters are found from a nonlinear maximum likelihood estimation. The estimation is based on aircraft scatterometer measurements and the sea-surface anemometer measurements collected during the JONSWAP '75 experiment. The estimates of the ten model parameters converge to realistic values that are in good agreement with the available oceanographic data. The rms discrepancy between the model and the cross section measurements is 0.7 db, which is the rms sum of a 0.3 db average measurement error and a 0.6 db modeling error.

Measurement of sea ice backscatter characteristics at 36 GHz using the surface contour radar

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fedor, L. S.; Walsh, E. J.

1985-01-01

Scattering studies of sea ice off the coast of Greenland were performed in January 1984 using the 36-GHz Surface Contour Radar (SCR) aboard the NASA P-3 aircraft. An oscillating mirror scans an actual half-power width of 0.96 degrees laterally to measure the surface at 51 evenly spaced points. By banking the aircraft, real-time topographical mapping and relative backscattered power are obtained at incidence angles between 0 and 30 degrees off-nadar, achieving at 175 m altitude a 2.9 by 4.4 m spatial resolution at nadir. With an aircraft ground speed of 100 m/s, 5-m successive scan line spacing and 1.8-m cross-track direction spacing is provided. By circling the aircraft in the 15 degree bank, the azimuthal anisotropy of the scattering is investigated along with the incidence angle dependence.

The Relationship Between Sea Breeze Forcing and HF Radar-Derived Surface Currents in Monterey Bay

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-06-01

the ocean wave backscattering the radar signal is one half the radar’s wavelength (Neal 1992). This process is called Bragg scattering (Barrick 1977...transmit frequency of radar is important because it helps us to figure out the length of the ocean waves and backscattered radar wavelength (Harlan et al...Representation of some remote sensing methods exploiting signals backscattered from the sea surface (from Shearman 1981). 7 HF radars have many advantages

Air-sea interaction and remote sensing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Katsaros, Kristina B.; Ataktuerk, Serhad S.

1992-01-01

The first part of the proposed research was a joint effort between our group and the Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), University of Washington. Our own research goal is to investigate the relation between the air-sea exchange processes and the sea state over the open ocean and to compare these findings with our previous results obtained over a small body of water namely, Lake Washington. The goals of the APL researchers are to study (1) the infrared sea surface temperature (SST) signature of breaking waves and surface slicks, and (2) microwave and acoustic scattering from water surface. The task of our group in this joint effort is to conduct measurements of surface fluxes (of momentum, sensible heat, and water vapor) and atmospheric radiation (longwave and shortwave) to achieve our research goal as well as to provide crucial complementary data for the APL studies. The progress of the project is summarized.

Measurement of fog and haze extinction characteristics and availability evaluation of free space optical link under the sea surface environment.

PubMed

Wu, Xiaojun; Wang, Hongxing; Song, Bo

2015-02-10

Fog and haze can lead to changes in extinction characteristics. Therefore, the performance of the free space optical link is highly influenced by severe weather conditions. Considering the influential behavior of weather conditions, a state-of-the-art solution for the observation of fog and haze over the sea surface is presented in this paper. A Mie scattering laser radar, with a wavelength of 532 nm, is used to observe the weather conditions of the sea surface environment. The horizontal extinction coefficients and visibilities are obtained from the observation data, and the results are presented in the paper. The changes in the characteristics of extinction coefficients and visibilities are analyzed based on both the short-term (6 days) severe weather data and long-term (6 months) data. Finally, the availability performance of the free space optical communication link is evaluated under the sea surface environment.

Presenting the Rain-Sea Interaction Facility

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bliven, Larry F.; Elfouhaily, Tonas M.

1993-01-01

The new Rain-Sea Interaction Facility (RSIF) was established at GSFC/WFF and the first finds are presented. The unique feature of this laboratory is the ability to systematically study microwave scattering from a water surface roughened by artificial rain, for which the droplets are at terminal velocity. The fundamental instruments and systems (e.g., the rain simulator, scatterometers, and surface elevation probes) were installed and evaluated during these first experiments - so the majority of the data were obtained with the rain simulator at 1 m above the water tank. From these initial experiments, three new models were proposed: the square-root function for NCS vs. R, the log Gaussian model for ring-wave elevation frequency spectrum, and the Erland probability density distribution for back scattered power. Rain rate is the main input for these models, although the coefficients may be dependent upon other factors (drop-size distribution, fall velocity, radar configuration, etc.). The facility is functional and we foresee collaborative studies with investigators who are engaged in measuring and modeling rain-sea interaction processes.

Polarized reflectance and transmittance properties of windblown sea surfaces.

PubMed

Mobley, Curtis D

2015-05-20

Generation of random sea surfaces using wave variance spectra and Fourier transforms is formulated in a way that guarantees conservation of wave energy and fully resolves wave height and slope variances. Monte Carlo polarized ray tracing, which accounts for multiple scattering between light rays and wave facets, is used to compute effective Mueller matrices for reflection and transmission of air- or water-incident polarized radiance. Irradiance reflectances computed using a Rayleigh sky radiance distribution, sea surfaces generated with Cox-Munk statistics, and unpolarized ray tracing differ by 10%-18% compared with values computed using elevation- and slope-resolving surfaces and polarized ray tracing. Radiance reflectance factors, as used to estimate water-leaving radiance from measured upwelling and sky radiances, are shown to depend on sky polarization, and improved values are given.

Analysis of satellite altimeter signal characteristics and investigation of sea-truth data requirements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

Results are presented of analysis of satellite signal characteristics as influenced by ocean surface roughness and an investigation of sea truth data requirements. The first subject treated is that of postflight waveform reconstruction for the Skylab S-193 radar altimeter. Sea state estimation accuracies are derived based on analytical and hybrid computer simulation techniques. An analysis of near-normal incidence, microwave backscattering from the ocean's surface is accomplished in order to obtain the minimum sea truth data necessary for good agreement between theoretical and experimental scattering results. Sea state bias is examined from the point of view of designing an experiment which will lead to a resolution of the problem. A discussion is given of some deficiencies which were found in the theory underlying the Stilwell technique for spectral measurements.

Application of theoretical models to active and passive remote sensing of saline ice

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Han, H. C.; Kong, J. A.; Shin, R. T.; Nghiem, S. V.; Kwok, R.

1992-01-01

The random medium model is used to interpret the polarimetric active and passive measurements of saline ice. The ice layer is described as a host ice medium embedded with randomly distributed inhomogeneities, and the underlying sea water is considered as a homogeneous half-space. The scatterers in the ice layer are modeled with an ellipsoidal correlation function. The orientation of the scatterers is vertically aligned and azimuthally random. The strong permittivity fluctuation theory is used to calculate the effective permittivity and the distorted Born approximation is used to obtain the polarimetric scattering coefficients. Thermal emissions based on the reciprocity and energy conservation principles are calculated. The effects of the random roughness at the air-ice, and ice-water interfaces are explained by adding the surface scattering to the volume scattering return incoherently. The theoretical model, which has been successfully applied to analyze the radar backscatter data of first-year sea ice, is used to interpret the measurements performed in the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory's CRRELEX program.

The effects of the variations in sea surface temperature and atmospheric stability in the estimation of average wind speed by SEASAT-SASS

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liu, W. T.

1984-01-01

The average wind speeds from the scatterometer (SASS) on the ocean observing satellite SEASAT are found to be generally higher than the average wind speeds from ship reports. In this study, two factors, sea surface temperature and atmospheric stability, are identified which affect microwave scatter and, therefore, wave development. The problem of relating satellite observations to a fictitious quantity, such as the neutral wind, that has to be derived from in situ observations with models is examined. The study also demonstrates the dependence of SASS winds on sea surface temperature at low wind speeds, possibly due to temperature-dependent factors, such as water viscosity, which affect wave development.

Effect of reflected and refracted signals on coherent underwater acoustic communication: results from the Kauai experiment (KauaiEx 2003).

PubMed

Rouseff, Daniel; Badiey, Mohsen; Song, Aijun

2009-11-01

The performance of a communications equalizer is quantified in terms of the number of acoustic paths that are treated as usable signal. The analysis uses acoustical and oceanographic data collected off the Hawaiian Island of Kauai. Communication signals were measured on an eight-element vertical array at two different ranges, 1 and 2 km, and processed using an equalizer based on passive time-reversal signal processing. By estimating the Rayleigh parameter, it is shown that all paths reflected by the sea surface at both ranges undergo incoherent scattering. It is demonstrated that some of these incoherently scattered paths are still useful for coherent communications. At range of 1 km, optimal communications performance is achieved when six acoustic paths are retained and all paths with more than one reflection off the sea surface are rejected. Consistent with a model that ignores loss from near-surface bubbles, the performance improves by approximately 1.8 dB when increasing the number of retained paths from four to six. The four-path results though are more stable and require less frequent channel estimation. At range of 2 km, ray refraction is observed and communications performance is optimal when some paths with two sea-surface reflections are retained.

Light comfort zones of mesopelagic acoustic scattering layers in two contrasting optical environments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Røstad, Anders; Kaartvedt, Stein; Aksnes, Dag L.

2016-07-01

We make a comparison of the mesopelagic sound scattering layers (SLs) in two contrasting optical environments; the clear Red Sea and in murkier coastal waters of Norway (Masfjorden). The depth distributions of the SL in Masfjorden are shallower and narrower than those of the Red Sea. This difference in depth distribution is consistent with the hypothesis that the organisms of the SL distribute according to similar light comfort zones (LCZ) in the two environments. Our study suggest that surface and underwater light measurements ranging more than 10 orders of magnitude is required to assess the controlling effects of light on SL structure and dynamics.

Technical background, chapter 3, part B

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1975-01-01

A description is given of the physics of electromagnetic scattering from the sea and a guideline is presented to relate an observable (such as the radar cross section) to the hydrodynamics or physical properties of the sea. As specific examples of the interdisciplinary science of electromagnetics and geophysical oceanography, the physics is discussed in connection with data provided by three instruments: namely, the scatterometer, the altimeter, and the imaging radar. The data provided by each instrument are discussed in context with specular point and Bragg scattering theories. Finally, the degrading effect of extraneous sources of noise is discussed as a limiting mechanism of the accuracy of the ocean surface measurement.

PolSAR-Ap: Exploitation of Fully Polarimetric SAR Data for Sea Oil Slick Monitoring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Migliaccio, M.; Nunziata, F.

2013-08-01

In this study, some of the most up-to-dated polarimetric approaches for sea oil slick observation are reviewed and their performance is discussed using actual C-band RadarSAT-2 SAR data where both oil slicks, related to the Deepwater Horizon accident, and oil seeps are present.Results demonstrate the unique benefits of polarimetric SAR data in: a) characterizing the scattering mechanism of sea surface with and without surfactants; b) providing information on the damping properties of the surfactant.

Airborne Spectral Measurements of Surface-Atmosphere Anisotropy for Arctic Sea Ice and Tundra

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arnold, G. Thomas; Tsay, Si-Chee; King, Michael D.; Li, Jason Y.; Soulen, Peter F.

1999-01-01

Angular distributions of spectral reflectance for four common arctic surfaces: snow-covered sea ice, melt-season sea ice, snow-covered tundra, and tundra shortly after snowmelt were measured using an aircraft based, high angular resolution (1-degree) multispectral radiometer. Results indicate bidirectional reflectance is higher for snow-covered sea ice than melt-season sea ice at all wavelengths between 0.47 and 2.3 pm, with the difference increasing with wavelength. Bidirectional reflectance of snow-covered tundra is higher than for snow-free tundra for measurements less than 1.64 pm, with the difference decreasing with wavelength. Bidirectional reflectance patterns of all measured surfaces show maximum reflectance in the forward scattering direction of the principal plane, with identifiable specular reflection for the melt-season sea ice and snow-free tundra cases. The snow-free tundra had the most significant backscatter, and the melt-season sea ice the least. For sea ice, bidirectional reflectance changes due to snowmelt were more significant than differences among the different types of melt-season sea ice. Also the spectral-hemispherical (plane) albedo of each measured arctic surface was computed. Comparing measured nadir reflectance to albedo for sea ice and snow-covered tundra shows albedo underestimated 5-40%, with the largest bias at wavelengths beyond 1 pm. For snow-free tundra, nadir reflectance underestimates plane albedo by about 30-50%.

SAR Image Simulation of Ship Targets Based on Multi-Path Scattering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Y.; Wang, H.; Ma, H.; Li, K.; Xia, Z.; Hao, Y.; Guo, H.; Shi, H.; Liao, X.; Yue, H.

2018-04-01

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) plays an important role in the classification and recognition of ship targets because of its all-weather working ability and fine resolution. In SAR images, besides the sea clutter, the influence of the sea surface on the radar echo is also known as the so-called multipath effect. These multipath effects will generate some extra "pseudo images", which may cause the distortion of the target image and affect the estimation of the characteristic parameters. In this paper,the multipath effect of rough sea surface and its influence on the estimation of ship characteristic parameters are studied. The imaging of the first and the secondary reflection of sea surface is presented . The artifacts not only overlap with the image of the target itself, but may also appear in the sea near the target area. It is difficult to distinguish them, and this artifact has an effect on the length and width of the ship.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy using 2D plasmons of InN nanostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Madapu, Kishore K.; Dhara, Sandip

2018-06-01

We explored the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) activity of the InN nanostructures, possessing surface electron accumulation (SEA), using the Rhodamine 6G (R6G) molecules. SERS enhancement is observed for the InN nanostructures which possess SEA. In case of high-temperature grown InN samples, a peak is observed in the low wave number (THz region) of Raman spectra of InN nanostructures originating from excitation of the two-dimensional (2D) plasmons of the SEA. The enhancement factor of four orders was calculated with the assumption of monolayer coverage of analyte molecule. SERS enhancement of InN nanostructures is attributed to the 2D plasmonic nature of InN nanostructures invoking SEA, rather than the contributions from 3D surface plasmon resonance and chemical interaction. The role of 2D plasmon excitation in SERS enhancement is corroborated by the near-field light-matter interaction studies using near-field scanning optical microscopy.

Experimental and theoretical determination of sea-state bias in radar altimetry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stewart, Robert H.

1991-01-01

The major unknown error in radar altimetry is due to waves on the sea surface which cause the mean radar-reflecting surface to be displaced from mean sea level. This is the electromagnetic bias. The primary motivation for the project was to understand the causes of the bias so that the error it produces in radar altimetry could be calculated and removed from altimeter measurements made from space by the Topex/Poseidon altimetric satellite. The goals of the project were: (1) observe radar scatter at vertical incidence using a simple radar on a platform for a wide variety of environmental conditions at the same time wind and wave conditions were measured; (2) calculate electromagnetic bias from the radar observations; (3) investigate the limitations of the present theory describing radar scatter at vertical incidence; (4) compare measured electromagnetic bias with bias calculated from theory using measurements of wind and waves made at the time of the radar measurements; and (5) if possible, extend the theory so bias can be calculated for a wider range of environmental conditions.

Ice Types in the Beaufort Sea, Alaska

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2003-01-01

Determining the amount and type of sea ice in the polar oceans is crucial to improving our knowledge and understanding of polar weather and long term climate fluctuations. These views from two satellite remote sensing instruments; the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) on board the RADARSAT satellite and the Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR), illustrate different methods that may be used to assess sea ice type. Sea ice in the Beaufort Sea off the north coast of Alaska was classified and mapped in these concurrent images acquired March 19, 2001 and mapped to the same geographic area.

To identify sea ice types, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Ice Center constructs ice charts using several data sources including RADARSAT SAR images such as the one shown at left. SAR classifies sea ice types primarily by how the surface and subsurface roughness influence radar backscatter. In the SAR image, white lines delineate different sea ice zones as identified by the National Ice Center. Regions of mostly multi-year ice (A) are separated from regions with large amounts of first year and younger ice (B-D), and the dashed white line at bottom marks the coastline. In general, sea ice types that exhibit increased radar backscatter appear bright in SAR and are identified as rougher, older ice types. Younger, smoother ice types appear dark to SAR. Near the top of the SAR image, however, red arrows point to bright areas in which large, crystalline 'frost flowers' have formed on young, thin ice, causing this young ice type to exhibit an increased radar backscatter. Frost flowers are strongly backscattering at radar wavelengths (cm) due to both surface roughness and the high salinity of frost flowers, which causes them to be highly reflective to radar energy.

Surface roughness is also registered by MISR, although the roughness observed is at a different spatial scale. Older, rougher ice areas are predominantly backward scattering to the MISR cameras, whereas younger, smoother ice types are predominantly forward scattering. The MISR map at right was generated using a statistical classification routine (called ISODATA) and analyzed using ice charts from the National Ice Center. Five classes of sea ice were found based upon the classification of MISR angular data. These are described, based on interpretation of the SAR image, by the image key. Very smooth ice areas that are predominantly forward scattering are colored red. Frost flowers are largely smooth to the MISR visible band sensor and are mapped as forward scattering. Areas mapped as blue are predominantly backward scattering, and the other three classes have statistically distinct angular signatures and fall within the middle of the forward/backward scattering continuum. Some areas that may be first year or younger ice between the multi year ice floes are not discernible to SAR, illustrating how MISR potentially can make a unique contribution to sea ice mapping.

The Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer observes the daylit Earth continuously and every 9 days views the entire globe between 82 degrees north and 82 degrees south latitude. This data product was generated from a portion of the imagery acquired during Terra orbit 6663. The MISR image has been cropped to include an area that is 200 kilometers wide, and utilizes data from blocks 30 to 33 within World Reference System-2 path 71.

MISR was built and is managed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory,Pasadena, CA, for NASA's Office of Earth Science, Washington, DC. The Terra satellite is managed by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD. JPL is a division of the California Institute of Technology.

Wave propagation, scattering and emission in complex media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jin, Ya-Qiu

I. Polarimetric scattering and SAR imagery. EM wave propagation and scattering in polarimetric SAR interferometry / S. R. Cloude. Terrain topographic inversion from single-pass polarimetric SAR image data by using polarimetric stokes parameters and morphological algorithm / Y. Q. Jin, L. Luo. Road detection in forested area using polarimetric SAR / G. W. Dong ... [et al.]. Research on some problems about SAR radiometric resolution / G. Dong ... [et al.]. A fast image matching algorithm for remote sensing applications / Z. Q. Hou ... [et al.]. A new algorithm of noised remote sensing image fusion based on steerable filters / X. Kang ... [et al.]. Adaptive noise reduction of InSAR data based on anisotropic diffusion models and their applications to phase unwrapping / C. Wang, X. Gao, H. Zhang -- II. Scattering from randomly rough surfaces. Modeling tools for backscattering from rough surfaces / A. K. Fung, K. S. Chen. Pseudo-nondiffracting beams from rough surface scattering / E. R. Méndez, T. A. Leskova, A. A. Maradudin. Surface roughness clutter effects in GPR modeling and detection / C. Rappaport. Scattering from rough surfaces with small slopes / M. Saillard, G. Soriano. Polarization and spectral characteristics of radar signals reflected by sea-surface / V. A. Butko, V. A. Khlusov, L. I. Sharygina. Simulation of microwave scattering from wind-driven ocean surfaces / M. Y. Xia ... [et al.]. HF surface wave radar tests at the Eastern China Sea / X. B. Wu ... [et al.] -- III. Electromagnetics of complex materials. Wave propagation in plane-parallel metamaterial and constitutive relations / A. Ishimaru ... [et al.]. Two dimensional periodic approach for the study of left-handed metamaterials / T. M. Grzegorczyk ... [et al.]. Numerical analysis of the effective constitutive parameters of a random medium containing small chiral spheres / Y. Nanbu, T. Matsuoka, M. Tateiba. Wave propagation in inhomogeneous media: from the Helmholtz to the Ginzburg -Landau equation / M. Gitterman. Transformation of the spectrum of scattered radiation in randomly inhomogeneous absorptive plasma layer / G. V. Jandieri, G. D. Aburjunia, V. G. Jandieri. Numerical analysis of microwave heating on saponification reaction / K. Huang, K. Jia -- IV. Scattering from complex targets. Analysis of electromagnetic scattering from layered crossed-gratings of circular cylinders using lattice sums technique / K. Yasumoto, H. T. Jia. Scattering by a body in a random medium / M. Tateiba, Z. Q. Meng, H. El-Ocla. A rigorous analysis of electromagnetic scattering from multilayered crossed-arrays of metallic cylinders / H. T. Jia, K. Yasumoto. Vector models of non-stable and spatially-distributed radar objects / A. Surkov ... [et al.]. Simulation of algorithm of orthogonal signals forming and processing used to estimate back scattering matrix of non-stable radar objects / D. Nosov ... [et al.]. New features of scattering from a dielectric film on a reflecting metal substrate / Z. H. Gu, I. M. Fuks, M. Ciftan. A higher order FDTD method for EM wave propagation in collision plasmas / S. B. Liu, J. J. Mo, N. C. Yuan -- V. Radiative transfer and remote sensing. Simulating microwave emission from Antarctica ice sheet with a coherent model / M. Tedesco, P. Pampaloni. Scattering and emission from inhomogeneous vegetation canopy and alien target by using three-dimensional Vector Radiative Transfer (3D-VRT) equation / Y. Q. Jin, Z. C. Liang. Analysis of land types using high-resolution satellite images and fractal approach / H. G. Zhang ... [et al.]. Data fusion of RADARSAT SAR and DMSP SSM/I for monitoring sea ice of China's Bohai Sea / Y. Q. Jin. Retrieving atmospheric temperature profiles from simulated microwave radiometer data with artificial neural networks / Z. G. Yao, H. B. Chen -- VI. Wave propagation and wireless communication. Wireless propagation in urban environments: modeling and experimental verification / D. Erricolo ... [et al.]. An overview of physics-based wave propagation in forested environment / K. Sarabandi, I. Koh. Angle-of-arrival fluctuations due to meteorological conditions in the diffraction zone of C-band radio waves, propagated over the ground surface / T. A. Tyufilina, A. A. Meschelyakov, M. V. Krutikov. Simulating radio channel statistics using ray based prediction codes / H. L. Bertoni. Measurement and simulation of ultra wideband antenna elements / W. Sörgel, W. Wiesbeck. The experimental investigation of a ground-placed radio complex synchronization system / V. P. Denisov ... [et al.] -- VII. Computational electromagnetics. Analysis of 3-D electromagnetic wave scattering with the Krylov subspace FFT iterative methods / R. S. Chen ... [et al.]. Sparse approximate inverse preconditioned iterative algorithm with block toeplitz matrix for fast analysis of microstrip circuits / L. Mo, R. S. Chen, E. K. N. Yung. An Efficient modified interpolation technique for the translation operators in MLFMA / J. Hu, Z. P. Nie, G. X. Zou. Efficient solution of 3-D vector electromagnetic scattering by CG-MLFMA with partly approximate iteration / J. Hu, Z. P. Nie. The effective constitution at interface of different media / L. G. Zheng, W. X. Zhang. Novel basis functions for quadratic hexahedral edge element / P. Liu ... [et al.]. A higher order FDTD method for EM wave propagation in collision plasmas / S. B. Liu, J. J. Mo, N. C. Yuan. Attenuation of electric field eradiated by underground source / J. P. Dong, Y. G. Gao.

EM Bias-Correction for Ice Thickness and Surface Roughness Retrievals over Rough Deformed Sea Ice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, L.; Gaiser, P. W.; Allard, R.; Posey, P. G.; Hebert, D. A.; Richter-Menge, J.; Polashenski, C. M.

2016-12-01

The very rough ridge sea ice accounts for significant percentage of total ice areas and even larger percentage of total volume. The commonly used Radar altimeter surface detection techniques are empirical in nature and work well only over level/smooth sea ice. Rough sea ice surfaces can modify the return waveforms, resulting in significant Electromagnetic (EM) bias in the estimated surface elevations, and thus large errors in the ice thickness retrievals. To understand and quantify such sea ice surface roughness effects, a combined EM rough surface and volume scattering model was developed to simulate radar returns from the rough sea ice `layer cake' structure. A waveform matching technique was also developed to fit observed waveforms to a physically-based waveform model and subsequently correct the roughness induced EM bias in the estimated freeboard. This new EM Bias Corrected (EMBC) algorithm was able to better retrieve surface elevations and estimate the surface roughness parameter simultaneously. In situ data from multi-instrument airborne and ground campaigns were used to validate the ice thickness and surface roughness retrievals. For the surface roughness retrievals, we applied this EMBC algorithm to co-incident LiDAR/Radar measurements collected during a Cryosat-2 under-flight by the NASA IceBridge missions. Results show that not only does the waveform model fit very well to the measured radar waveform, but also the roughness parameters derived independently from the LiDAR and radar data agree very well for both level and deformed sea ice. For sea ice thickness retrievals, validation based on in-situ data from the coordinated CRREL/NRL field campaign demonstrates that the physically-based EMBC algorithm performs fundamentally better than the empirical algorithm over very rough deformed sea ice, suggesting that sea ice surface roughness effects can be modeled and corrected based solely on the radar return waveforms.

Toward RADSCAT measurements over the sea and their interpretation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Claassen, J. P.; Fung, A. K.; Wu, S. T.; Chan, H. L.

1973-01-01

Investigations into several areas which are essential to the execution and interpretation of suborbital observations by composite radiometer - scatterometer sensor (RADSCAT) are reported. Experiments and theory were developed to demonstrate the remote anemometric capability of the sensor over the sea through various weather conditions. It is shown that weather situations found in extra tropical cyclones are useful for demonstrating the all weather capability of the composite sensor. The large scale fluctuations of the wind over the sea dictate the observational coverage required to correlate measurements with the mean surface wind speed. Various theoretical investigations were performed to establish a premise for the joint interpretation of the experiment data. The effects of clouds and rains on downward radiometric observations over the sea were computed. A method of predicting atmospheric attenuation from joint observations is developed. In other theoretical efforts, the emission and scattering characteristics of the sea were derived. Composite surface theories with coherent and noncoherent assumptions were employed.

Simulation of an active underwater imaging through a wavy sea surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gholami, Ali; Saghafifar, Hossein

2018-06-01

A numerical simulation for underwater imaging through a wavy sea surface has been done. We have used a common approach to model the sea surface elevation and its slopes as an important source of image disturbance. The simulation algorithm is based on a combination of ray tracing and optical propagation, which has taken to different approaches for downwelling and upwelling beams. The nature of randomly focusing and defocusing property of surface waves causes a fluctuated irradiance distribution as an illuminating source of immersed object, while it gives rise to a great disturbance on the image through a coordinate change of image pixels. We have also used a modulation transfer function based on Well's small angle approximations to consider the underwater optical properties effect on the transferring of the image. As expected, the absorption effect reduces the light intensity and scattering decreases image contrast by blurring the image.

Multisensor satellite data integration for sea surface wind speed and direction determination

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Glackin, D. L.; Pihos, G. G.; Wheelock, S. L.

1984-01-01

Techniques to integrate meteorological data from various satellite sensors to yield a global measure of sea surface wind speed and direction for input to the Navy's operational weather forecast models were investigated. The sensors were launched or will be launched, specifically the GOES visible and infrared imaging sensor, the Nimbus-7 SMMR, and the DMSP SSM/I instrument. An algorithm for the extrapolation to the sea surface of wind directions as derived from successive GOES cloud images was developed. This wind veering algorithm is relatively simple, accounts for the major physical variables, and seems to represent the best solution that can be found with existing data. An algorithm for the interpolation of the scattered observed data to a common geographical grid was implemented. The algorithm is based on a combination of inverse distance weighting and trend surface fitting, and is suited to combing wind data from disparate sources.

Application of theoretical models to active and passive remote sensing of saline ice

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Han, H. C.; Kong, Jin AU; Shin, Robert T.; Nghiem, Son V.; Kwok, R.

1992-01-01

The random medium model is used to interpret the polarimetric active and passive measurements of saline ice. The ice layer is described as a host ice medium embedded with randomly distributed inhomogeneities, and the underlying sea water is considered as a homogeneous half-space. The scatterers in the ice layer are modeled with an ellipsoidal correlation function. The orientation of the scatterers is vertically aligned and azimuthally random. The strong permittivity fluctuation theory is employed to calculate the effective permittivity and the distorted Born approximation is used to obtain the polarimetric scattering coefficients. We also calculate the thermal emissions based on the reciprocity and energy conservation principles. The effects of the random roughness at the air-ice, and ice-water interfaces are accounted for by adding the surface scattering to the volume scattering return incoherently. The above theoretical model, which has been successfully applied to analyze the radar backscatter data of the first-year sea ice near Point Barrow, AK, is used to interpret the measurements performed in the CRRELEX program.

Removal of atmospheric effects from satellite imagery of the oceans.

PubMed

Gordon, H R

1978-05-15

In attempting to observe the color of the ocean from satellites, it is necessary to remove the effects of atmospheric and sea surface scattering from the upward radiance at high altitude in order to observe only those photons which were backscattered out of the ocean and hence contain information about subsurface conditions. The observations that (1) the upward radiance from the unwanted photons can be divided into those resulting from Rayleigh scattering alone and those resulting from aerosol scattering alone, (2) the aerosol scattering phase function should be nearly independent of wavelength, and (3) the Rayleigh component can be computed without a knowledge of the sea surface roughness are combined to yield an algorithm for removing a large portion of this unwanted radiance from satellite imagery of the ocean. It is assumed that the ocean is totally absorbing in a band of wavelengths around 750 nm and shown that application of the proposed algorithm to correct the radiance at a wavelength lambda requires only the ratio () of the aerosol optical thickness at lambda to that at about 750 nm. The accuracy to which the correction can be made as a function of the accuracy to which can be found is in detail. A possible method of finding from satellite measurements alone is suggested.

Global boundary flattening transforms for acoustic propagation under rough sea surfaces.

PubMed

Oba, Roger M

2010-07-01

This paper introduces a conformal transform of an acoustic domain under a one-dimensional, rough sea surface onto a domain with a flat top. This non-perturbative transform can include many hundreds of wavelengths of the surface variation. The resulting two-dimensional, flat-topped domain allows direct application of any existing, acoustic propagation model of the Helmholtz or wave equation using transformed sound speeds. Such a transform-model combination applies where the surface particle velocity is much slower than sound speed, such that the boundary motion can be neglected. Once the acoustic field is computed, the bijective (one-to-one and onto) mapping permits the field interpolation in terms of the original coordinates. The Bergstrom method for inverse Riemann maps determines the transform by iterated solution of an integral equation for a surface matching term. Rough sea surface forward scatter test cases provide verification of the method using a particular parabolic equation model of the Helmholtz equation.

Earth Observations taken by the Expedition 31 Crew

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-05-18

ISS031-E-041959 (18 May 2012) --- Alaid Volcano in the Kuril Islands of the Russian Federation is featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 31 crew member on the International Space Station. The Kurils chain extends from the Kamchatka Peninsula to the islands of Japan, and contains numerous active volcanoes along its length. Alaid is the highest (2,339 meters above sea level) volcano in the Kuril chain, as well as being the northernmost. The textbook conic morphology of this stratovolcano is marred only by the summit crater, which is breached to the south (center) and highlighted by snow cover. The volcano rises 3,000 meters directly from the floor of the Sea of Okhotsk, with the uppermost part of the volcanic edifice exposed as an island. Much of the sea surface surrounding the volcano has a silver-gray appearance. This mirror-like appearance is due to sunglint, where light reflects off the sea surface and is scattered directly towards the observer onboard the space station. Sunglint is largely absent from a zone directly to the west of the volcano, most likely due to surface wind or water current patterns that change the roughness?and light scattering properties?of the water surface in this area. Volcanoes in the Kurils, and similar island arcs in the Pacific ?ring of fire?, are fed by magma generated along the boundary between two tectonic plates, where one plate is being driven beneath the other (a process known as subduction). Alaid Volcano has been historically active with the most recent confirmed explosive activity occurring in 1996.

In-Situ and Remotely-Sensed Observations of Biomass Burning Aerosols at Doi Ang Khang, Thailand During 7-SEAS BASELInE 2015

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sayer, Andrew M.; Hsu, N. Christina; Hsiao, Ta-Chih; Pantina, Peter; Kuo, Ferret; Ou-Yang, Chang-Feng; Holben, Brent N.; Janjai, Serm; Chantara, Somporn; Wang, Sheng-Hsiang;

Experimental measurement and theoretical modeling of microwave scattering and the structure of the sea surface influencing radar observations from space

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arnold, David; Kong, J. A.

1992-01-01

The electromagnetic bias is an error present in radar altimetry of the ocean due to the non-uniform reflection from wave troughs and crests. A study of the electromagnetic bias became necessary to permit error reduction in mean sea level measurements of satellite radar altimeters. Satellite radar altimeters have been used to find the upper and lower bounds for the electromagnetic bias. This report will present a theory using physical optics scattering and an empirical model of the short wave modulation to predict the electromagnetic bias. The predicted electromagnetic bias will be compared to measurements at C and Ku bands.

High-Albedo Salt Crusts on the Tropical Ocean of Snowball Earth: Measurements and Modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carns, R.; Light, B.; Warren, S. G.

2014-12-01

During a Snowball Earth event, almost all of the ocean surface first freezes as sea ice. As in modern sea ice, trapped inclusions of liquid brine permeate the ice cover. As the ice grows and cools, salt crystals precipitate within the inclusions. At -23C, the most abundant salt in seawater, sodium chloride, begins to precipitate as the dihydrate mineral hydrohalite (NaCl·2H2O). Crystals of hydrohalite within the sea ice scatter light. Measurements of cold, natural sea ice show a broadband albedo increase of 10-20% when salt precipitates. Such snow-free natural sea ice with a surface temperature below -23C is rare on modern Earth, but would have been common in tropical regions of a Snowball Earth where evaporation exceeded precipitation. The persistent cold and lack of summer melt on the Snowball ocean surface, combined with net evaporation, is hypothesized to yield lag deposits of hydrohalite crystals on the ice surface. To investigate this process, we prepared laboratory-grown sea ice in a 1000 liter tank in a walk-in freezer laboratory. The ice was cooled below -23 C and the surface sprayed with a 23% NaCl solution to create a layer of hydrohalite-enriched ice, a proxy for lag deposits that would have formed over long periods of surface sublimation. We have developed a novel technique for measuring the spectral albedo of ice surfaces in the laboratory; this technique was used to monitor the evolution of the surface albedo of our salt crust as the ice matrix sublimated away leaving a layer of fine-grained hydrohalite crystals. Measurements of this hydrohalite surface crust show a very high albedo, comparable to fresh snow at visible wavelengths and significantly larger than fresh snow at near infrared wavelengths. Broadband albedos are 0.55 for bare artificial sea ice at -30C, 0.75 for ice containing 25% hydrohalite by volume, 0.84 after five days of desiccation and 0.93 after 47 days of desiccation. Using our laboratory measurements, along with estimates of grain size and crust optical depth, as inputs to Mie scattering and radiative transfer models allowed us to infer the imaginary refractive index of hydrohalite. The model can calculate albedo for pure hydrohalite crusts of varying thickness and for mixtures of ice and hydrohalite. A parameterization is presented for albedo as a function of the thickness of the hydrohalite crust.

Exact Rayleigh scattering calculations for use with the Nimbus-7 Coastal Zone Color Scanner

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gordon, Howard R.; Brown, James W.; Evans, Robert H.

1988-01-01

The radiance reflected from a plane-parallel atmosphere and flat sea surface in the absence of aerosols has been determined with an exact multiple scattering code to improve the analysis of Nimbus-7 CZCS imagery. It is shown that the single scattering approximation normally used to compute this radiance can result in errors of up to 5 percent for small and moderate solar zenith angles. A scheme to include the effect of variations in the surface pressure in the exact computation of the Rayleigh radiance is discussed. The results of an application of these computations to CZCS imagery suggest that accurate atmospheric corrections can be obtained for solar zenith angles at least as large as 65 deg.

FAST TRACK PAPER: A construct of internal multiples from surface data only: the concept of virtual seismic events

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ikelle, Luc T.

2006-02-01

We here describe one way of constructing internal multiples from surface seismic data only. The key feature of our construct of internal multiples is the introduction of the concept of virtual seismic events. Virtual events here are events, which are not directly recorded in standard seismic data acquisition, but their existence allows us to construct internal multiples with scattering points at the sea surface; the standard construct of internal multiples does not include any scattering points at the sea surface. The mathematical and computational operations invoked in our construction of virtual events and internal multiples are similar to those encountered in the construction of free-surface multiples based on the Kirchhoff or Born scattering theory. For instance, our construct operates on one temporal frequency at a time, just like free-surface demultiple algorithms; other internal multiple constructs tend to require all frequencies for the computation of an internal multiple at a given frequency. It does not require any knowledge of the subsurface nor an explicit knowledge of specific interfaces that are responsible for the generation of internal multiples in seismic data. However, our construct requires that the data be divided into two, three or four windows to avoid generating primaries. This segmentation of the data also allows us to select a range of periods of internal multiples that one wishes to construct because, in the context of the attenuation of internal multiples, it is important to avoid generating short-period internal multiples that may constructively average to form primaries at the seismic scale.

Comparing the Behavior of Polarimetric SAR Imagery (TerraSAR-X and Radarsat-2) for Automated Sea Ice Classification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ressel, Rudolf; Singha, Suman; Lehner, Susanne

2016-08-01

Arctic Sea ice monitoring has attracted increasing attention over the last few decades. Besides the scientific interest in sea ice, the operational aspect of ice charting is becoming more important due to growing navigational possibilities in an increasingly ice free Arctic. For this purpose, satellite borne SAR imagery has become an invaluable tool. In past, mostly single polarimetric datasets were investigated with supervised or unsupervised classification schemes for sea ice investigation. Despite proven sea ice classification achievements on single polarimetric data, a fully automatic, general purpose classifier for single-pol data has not been established due to large variation of sea ice manifestations and incidence angle impact. Recently, through the advent of polarimetric SAR sensors, polarimetric features have moved into the focus of ice classification research. The higher information content four polarimetric channels promises to offer greater insight into sea ice scattering mechanism and overcome some of the shortcomings of single- polarimetric classifiers. Two spatially and temporally coincident pairs of fully polarimetric acquisitions from the TerraSAR-X/TanDEM-X and RADARSAT-2 satellites are investigated. Proposed supervised classification algorithm consists of two steps: The first step comprises a feature extraction, the results of which are ingested into a neural network classifier in the second step. Based on the common coherency and covariance matrix, we extract a number of features and analyze the relevance and redundancy by means of mutual information for the purpose of sea ice classification. Coherency matrix based features which require an eigendecomposition are found to be either of low relevance or redundant to other covariance matrix based features. Among the most useful features for classification are matrix invariant based features (Geometric Intensity, Scattering Diversity, Surface Scattering Fraction).

An ocean scatter propagation model for aeronautical satellite communication applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moreland, K. W.

1990-01-01

In this paper an ocean scattering propagation model, developed for aircraft-to-satellite (aeronautical) applications, is described. The purpose of the propagation model is to characterize the behavior of sea reflected multipath as a function of physical propagation path parameters. An accurate validation against the theoretical far field solution for a perfectly conducting sinusoidal surface is provided. Simulation results for typical L band aeronautical applications with low complexity antennas are presented.

The effect of precipitation on measuring sea surface salinity from space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jin, Xuchen; Pan, Delu; He, Xianqiang; Wang, Difeng; Zhu, Qiankun; Gong, Fang

2017-10-01

The sea surface salinity (SSS) can be measured from space by using L-band (1.4 GHz) microwave radiometers. The L-band has been chosen for its sensitivity of brightness temperature to the change of salinity. However, SSS remote sensing is still challenging due to the low sensitivity of brightness temperature to SSS variation: for the vertical polarization, the sensitivity is about 0.4 to 0.8 K/psu with different incident angles and sea surface temperature; for horizontal polarization, the sensitivity is about 0.2 to 0.6 K/psu. It means that we have to make radiometric measurements with accuracy better than 1K even for the best sensitivity of brightness temperature to SSS. Therefore, in order to retrieve SSS, the measured brightness temperature at the top of atmosphere (TOA) needs to be corrected for many sources of error. One main geophysical source of error comes from atmosphere. Currently, the atmospheric effect at L-band is usually corrected by absorption and emission model, which estimate the radiation absorbed and emitted by atmosphere. However, the radiation scattered by precipitation is neglected in absorption and emission models, which might be significant under heavy precipitation. In this paper, a vector radiative transfer model for coupled atmosphere and ocean systems with a rough surface is developed to simulate the brightness temperature at the TOA under different precipitations. The model is based on the adding-doubling method, which includes oceanic emission and reflection, atmospheric absorption and scattering. For the ocean system with a rough surface, an empirical emission model established by Gabarro and the isotropic Cox-Munk wave model considering shadowing effect are used to simulate the emission and reflection of sea surface. For the atmospheric attenuation, it is divided into two parts: For the rain layer, a Marshall-Palmer distribution is used and the scattering properties of the hydrometeors are calculated by Mie theory (the scattering hydrometeors are assumed to be spherical). For the other atmosphere layers, which are assumed to be clear sky, Liebe's millimeter wave propagation model (MPM93) is used to calculate the absorption coefficients of oxygen, water vapor, and cloud droplets. To simulate the change of brightness temperature caused by different rain rate (0-50 mm/h), we assume a 26-layer precipitation structure corresponding to NCEP FNL data. Our radiative transfer simulations showed that the brightness temperature at TOA can be influenced significantly by the heavy precipitation, the results indicate that the atmospheric attenuation of L-band at incidence angle of 42.5° should be a positive bias, and when rain rate rise up to 50 mm/h, the brightness temperature increases are close to 0.6 K and 0.8 K for horizontally and vertically polarized brightness temperature, respectively. Thus, in the case of heavy precipitation, the current absorption and emission model is not accurate enough to correct atmospheric effect, and a radiative transfer model which considers the effect of radiation scattering should be used.

A parallel efficient partitioning algorithm for the statistical model of dynamic sea clutter at low grazing angle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Tao; Wu, Zhensen; Linghu, Longxiang

2017-10-01

Study of characteristics of sea clutter is very important for signal processing of radar, detection of targets on sea surface and remote sensing. The sea state is complex at Low grazing angle (LGA), and it is difficult with its large irradiation area and a great deal simulation facets. A practical and efficient model to obtain radar clutter of dynamic sea in different sea condition is proposed, basing on the physical mechanism of interaction between electromagnetic wave and sea wave. The classical analysis method for sea clutter is basing on amplitude and spectrum distribution, taking the clutter as random processing model, which is equivocal in its physical mechanism. To achieve electromagnetic field from sea surface, a modified phase from facets is considered, and the backscattering coefficient is calculated by Wu's improved two-scale model, which can solve the statistical sea backscattering problem less than 5 degree, considering the effects of the surface slopes joint probability density, the shadowing function, the skewness of sea waves and the curvature of the surface on the backscattering from the ocean surface. We make the assumption that the scattering contribution of each facet is independent, the total field is the superposition of each facet in the receiving direction. Such data characters are very suitable to compute on GPU threads. So we can make the best of GPU resource. We have achieved a speedup of 155-fold for S band and 162-fold for Ku/Χ band on the Tesla K80 GPU as compared with Intel® Core™ CPU. In this paper, we mainly study the high resolution data, and the time resolution is millisecond, so we may have 10,00 time points, and we analyze amplitude probability density distribution of radar clutter.

Small scale patches of suspended matter and phytoplankton in the Elbe River estuary, German Bight and tidal flats

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Doerffer, R.; Fischer, J.; Stoessel, M.; Brockmann, C.; Grassl, H.

1989-01-01

Landsat 5 TM measurements are found suitable for study of small scale features in coastal waters; three independent factors, namely suspended matter concentration, atmospheric scattering, and sea-surface temperature, were extracted from all seven TM channels on the basis of factor analysis. The distribution of suspended matter in near-surface water layer and sea surface temperature is observable with a spatial resolution of at least 120 x 120 sq m. The high correlation between water depth and suspended matter distribution established by ship-gathered data supports the presently hypothesized control by bottom topography and wind-modified tidal currents of eddy and front formation.

Satellite altimetry in sea ice regions - detecting open water for estimating sea surface heights

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Müller, Felix L.; Dettmering, Denise; Bosch, Wolfgang

2017-04-01

The Greenland Sea and the Farm Strait are transporting sea ice from the central Arctic ocean southwards. They are covered by a dynamic changing sea ice layer with significant influences on the Earth climate system. Between the sea ice there exist various sized open water areas known as leads, straight lined open water areas, and polynyas exhibiting a circular shape. Identifying these leads by satellite altimetry enables the extraction of sea surface height information. Analyzing the radar echoes, also called waveforms, provides information on the surface backscatter characteristics. For example waveforms reflected by calm water have a very narrow and single-peaked shape. Waveforms reflected by sea ice show more variability due to diffuse scattering. Here we analyze altimeter waveforms from different conventional pulse-limited satellite altimeters to separate open water and sea ice waveforms. An unsupervised classification approach employing partitional clustering algorithms such as K-medoids and memory-based classification methods such as K-nearest neighbor is used. The classification is based on six parameters derived from the waveform's shape, for example the maximum power or the peak's width. The open-water detection is quantitatively compared to SAR images processed while accounting for sea ice motion. The classification results are used to derive information about the temporal evolution of sea ice extent and sea surface heights. They allow to provide evidence on climate change relevant influences as for example Arctic sea level rise due to enhanced melting rates of Greenland's glaciers and an increasing fresh water influx into the Arctic ocean. Additionally, the sea ice cover extent analyzed over a long-time period provides an important indicator for a globally changing climate system.

Determination of mean surface position and sea state from the radar return of a short-pulse satellite altimeter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barrick, D. E.

1972-01-01

Using the specular point theory of scatter from a very rough surface, the average backscatter cross section per unit area per radar cell width is derived for a cell located at a given height above the mean sea surface. This result is then applied to predict the average radar cross section observed by a short-pulse altimeter as a function of time for two modes of operation: pulse-limited and beam-limited configurations. For a pulse-limited satellite altimeter, a family of curves is calculated showing the distortion of the leading edge of the receiver output signal as a function of sea state (i.e., wind speed). A signal processing scheme is discussed that permits an accurate determination of the mean surface position--even in high seas--and, as a by-product, the estimation of the significant seawave height (or wind speed above the surface). Comparison of these analytical results with experimental data for both pulse-limited and beam-limited operation lends credence to the model. Such a model should aid in the design of short-pulse altimeters for accurate determination of the geoid over the oceans, as well as for the use of such altimeters for orbital sea-state monitoring.

Research on energy transmission calculation problem on laser detecting submarine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fu, Qiang; Li, Yingchao; Zhang, Lizhong; Wang, Chao; An, Yan

2014-12-01

The laser detection and identification is based on the method of using laser as the source of signal to scan the surface of ocean. If the laser detection equipment finds out the target, it will immediately reflect the returning signal, and then through receiving and disposing the returning signal by the receiving system, to realize the function of detection and identification. Two mediums channels should be though in the process of laser detection transmission, which are the atmosphere and the seawater. The energy loss in the process of water transport, mainly considering the surface reflection and scattering attenuation and internal attenuation factors such as seawater. The energy consumption though atmospheric transmission, mainly considering the absorption of atmospheric and the attenuation causing by scattering, the energy consumption though seawater transmission, mainly considering the element such as surface reflection, the attenuation of scattering and internal attenuation of seawater. On the basis of the analysis and research, through the mode of establishment of atmospheric scattering, the model of sea surface reflection and the model of internal attenuation of seawater, determine the power dissipation of emitting lasers system, calculates the signal strength that reaches the receiver. Under certain conditions, the total attenuation of -98.92 dB by calculation, and put forward the related experiment scheme by the use of Atmospheric analog channel, seawater analog channel. In the experiment of the theory, we use the simulation pool of the atmosphere and the sea to replace the real environment where the laser detection system works in this kind of situation. To start with, we need to put the target in the simulating seawater pool of 10 meters large and then control the depth of the target in the sea level. We, putting the laser detection system in position where it is 2 kilometers far from one side, secondly use the equipment to aim at the target in some distance. Lastly, by launching and detecting the signal of returning wave, identify the effect of the image produced by the system.

Analysis of Thematic Mapper data for studying the suspended matter distribution in the coastal area of the German Bight (North Sea)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Doerffer, R.; Fischer, J.; Stoessel, M.; Brockmann, C.; Grassl, H.

1989-01-01

Thematic Mapper data were analyzed with respect to its capability for mapping the complex structure and dynamics of suspended matter distribution in the coastal area of the German Bight (North Sea). Three independent pieces of information were found by factor analysis of all seven TM channels: suspended matter concentration, atmospheric scattering, and sea surface temperature. For the required atmospheric correction, the signal-to-noise ratios of Channels 5 and 7 have to be improved by averaging over 25 x 25 pixels, which also makes it possible to monitor the aerosol optical depth and aerosol type over cloud-free water surfaces. Near-surface suspended matter concentrations may be detected with an accuracy of factor less than 2 by using an algorithm derived from radiative transfer model calculation. The patchiness of suspended matter and its relation to underwater topography was analyzed with autocorrelation and cross-correlation.

A curvature-corrected Kirchhoff formulation for radar sea-return from the near vertical

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jackson, F. C.

1974-01-01

A new theoretical treatment of the problem of electromagnetic wave scattering from a randomly rough surface is given. A high frequency correction to the Kirchhoff approximation is derived from a field integral equation for a perfectly conducting surface. The correction, which accounts for the effect of local surface curvature, is seen to be identical with an asymptotic form found by Fock (1945) for diffraction by a paraboloid. The corrected boundary values are substituted into the far field Stratton-Chu integral, and average backscattered powers are computed assuming the scattering surface is a homogeneous Gaussian process. Preliminary calculations for K(-4) ocean wave spectrum indicate a resonable modelling of polarization effects near the vertical, theta 45 deg. Correspondence with the results of small perturbation theory is shown.

PAU/GNSS-R: Implementation, Performance and First Results of a Real-Time Delay-Doppler Map Reflectometer Using Global Navigation Satellite System Signals

PubMed Central

Marchan-Hernandez, Juan Fernando; Camps, Adriano; Rodriguez-Alvarez, Nereida; Bosch-Lluis, Xavier; Ramos-Perez, Isaac; Valencia, Enric

2008-01-01

Signals from Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) were originally conceived for position and speed determination, but they can be used as signals of opportunity as well. The reflection process over a given surface modifies the properties of the scattered signal, and therefore, by processing the reflected signal, relevant geophysical data regarding the surface under study (land, sea, ice…) can be retrieved. In essence, a GNSS-R receiver is a multi-channel GNSS receiver that computes the received power from a given satellite at a number of different delay and Doppler bins of the incoming signal. The first approaches to build such a receiver consisted of sampling and storing the scattered signal for later post-processing. However, a real-time approach to the problem is desirable to obtain immediately useful geophysical variables and reduce the amount of data. The use of FPGA technology makes this possible, while at the same time the system can be easily reconfigured. The signal tracking and processing constraints made necessary to fully design several new blocks. The uniqueness of the implemented system described in this work is the capability to compute in real-time Delay-Doppler maps (DDMs) either for four simultaneous satellites or just one, but with a larger number of bins. The first tests have been conducted from a cliff over the sea and demonstrate the successful performance of the instrument to compute DDMs in real-time from the measured reflected GNSS/R signals. The processing of these measurements shall yield quantitative relationships between the sea state (mainly driven by the surface wind and the swell) and the overall DDM shape. The ultimate goal is to use the DDM shape to correct the sea state influence on the L-band brightness temperature to improve the retrieval of the sea surface salinity (SSS). PMID:27879862

Analysis of Atmosphere-Ocean Surface Flux Feedbacks in Recent Satellite and Model Reanalysis Products

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roberts, J. Brent; Robertson, F. R.; Clayson, C. A.

2010-01-01

Recent investigations have examined observations in an attempt to determine when and how the ocean forces the atmosphere, and vice versa. These studies focus primarily on relationships between sea surface temperature anomalies and the turbulent and radiative surface heat fluxes. It has been found that both positive and negative feedbacks, which enhance or reduce sea surface temperature anomaly amplitudes, can be generated through changes in the surface boundary layer. Consequent changes in sea surface temperature act to change boundary layer characteristics through changes in static stability or turbulent fluxes. Previous studies over the global oceans have used coarse-resolution observational and model products such as ICOADS and the NCEP Reanalysis. This study focuses on documenting the atmosphere ocean feedbacks that exist in recently produced higher resolution products, namely the SeaFlux v1.0 product and the NASA Modern Era Retrospective-Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA). It has been noted in recent studies that evidence of oceanic forcing of the atmosphere exists on smaller scales than the usually more dominant atmospheric forcing of the ocean, particularly in higher latitudes. It is expected that use of these higher resolution products will allow for a more comprehensive description of these small-scale ocean-atmosphere feedbacks. The SeaFlux intercomparisons have revealed large scatter between various surface flux climatologies. This study also investigates the uncertainty in surface flux feedbacks based on several of these recent satellite based climatologies

Reduction of skylight reflection effects in the above-water measurement of diffuse marine reflectance: comment.

PubMed

Krotkov, N A; Vasilkov, A P

2000-03-20

Use of a vertical polarizer has been suggested to reduce the effects of surface reflection in the above-water measurements of marine reflectance. We suggest using a similar technique for airborne or spaceborne sensors when atmospheric scattering adds its own polarization signature to the upwelling radiance. Our own theoretical sensitivity study supports the recommendation of Fougnie et al. [Appl. Opt. 38, 3844 (1999)] (40-50 degrees vertical angle and azimuth angle near 135 degrees, polarizer parallel to the viewing plane) for above-water measurements. However, the optimal viewing directions (and the optimal orientation of the polarizer) change with altitude above the sea surface, solar angle, and atmospheric vertical optical structure. A polarization efficiency function is introduced, which shows the maximal possible polarization discrimination of the background radiation for an arbitrary altitude above the sea surface, viewing direction, and solar angle. Our comment is meant to encourage broader application of airborne and spaceborne polarization sensors in remote sensing of water and sea surface properties.

Enhancement of the visibility of objects located below the surface of a scattering medium

DOEpatents

Demos, Stavros

2013-11-19

Techniques are provided for enhancing the visibility of objects located below the surface of a scattering medium such as tissue, water and smoke. Examples of such an object include a vein located below the skin, a mine located below the surface of the sea and a human in a location covered by smoke. The enhancement of the image contrast of a subsurface structure is based on the utilization of structured illumination. In the specific application of this invention to image the veins in the arm or other part of the body, the issue of how to control the intensity of the image of a metal object (such as a needle) that must be inserted into the vein is also addressed.

Light scattering and backscattering by particles suspended in the Baltic Sea in relation to the mass concentration of particles and the proportions of their organic and inorganic fractions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Woźniak, Sławomir B.; Sagan, Sławomir; Zabłocka, Monika; Stoń-Egiert, Joanna; Borzycka, Karolina

2018-06-01

The empirical relationships were examined of spectral characteristics of light scattering and backscattering by particles suspended in seawater in relation to the dry mass concentration of particles and the bulk proportions of their organic and inorganic fractions. The analyses were based on empirical data collected in the surface waters of the southern and central Baltic Sea at different times of the year. It was found that the average scattering and backscattering coefficients, normalized to the dry mass concentration of particles for all our Baltic Sea data (i.e. mass-specific optical coefficients), were characterized by large coefficients of variation (CV) of the order of 30% at all the visible light wavelengths analysed. At wavelength 555 nm the average mass-specific scattering coefficient was ca 0.75 m2 g- 1 (CV = 31%); the corresponding value for backscattering was 0.0072 m2 g- 1 (CV = 29%). The analyses confirmed that some of the observed variations could be explained by changes in the proportions of organic and inorganic fractions of suspended matter. The average organic fraction in all the samples was as high as 83% of the total dry mass concentration but in individual cases it varied between < 50% and up to 100%. Simple, two-variable parameterizations of scattering and backscattering coefficients were derived as functions of the organic and inorganic fraction concentrations. The statistical relationship between the backscattering ratio and the ratio of the organic fraction to the total dry mass of suspended matter was also found: this can be used in practical interpretations of in situ optical measurements. In addition, the variability in particle size distributions recorded with a Coulter counter indicated its potentially highly significant influence on the light scattering properties of particles suspended in Baltic Sea waters.

A Model with Ellipsoidal Scatterers for Polarimetric Remote Sensing of Anisotropic Layered Media

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nghiem, S. V.; Kwok, R.; Kong, J. A.; Shin, R. T.

1993-01-01

This paper presents a model with ellipsoidal scatterers for applications to polarimetric remote sensing of anisotropic layered media at microwave frequencies. The physical configuration includes an isotropic layer covering an anisotropic layer above a homogeneous half space. The isotropic layer consists of randomly oriented spheroids. The anisotropic layer contains ellipsoidal scatterers with a preferential vertical alignment and random azimuthal orientations. Effective permittivities of the scattering media are calculated with the strong fluctuation theory extended to account for the nonspherical shapes and the scatterer orientation distributions. On the basis of the analytic wave theory, dyadic Green's functions for layered media are used to derive polarimetric backscattering coefficients under the distorted Born approximation. The ellipsoidal shape of the scatterers gives rise to nonzero cross-polarized returns from the untilted anisotropic medium in the first-order approximation. Effects of rough interfaces are estimated by an incoherent addition method. Theoretical results and experimental data are matched at 9 GHz for thick first-year sea ice with a bare surface and with a snow cover at Point Barrow, Alaska. The model is then used to study the sensitivity of polarimetric backscattering coefficients with respect to correlation lengths representing the geometry of brine inclusions. Polarimetric signatures of bare and snow-covered sea ice are also simulated based on the model to investigate effects of different scattering mechanisms.

Multi-decadal Arctic sea ice roughness.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsamados, M.; Stroeve, J.; Kharbouche, S.; Muller, J. P., , Prof; Nolin, A. W.; Petty, A.; Haas, C.; Girard-Ardhuin, F.; Landy, J.

2017-12-01

The transformation of Arctic sea ice from mainly perennial, multi-year ice to a seasonal, first-year ice is believed to have been accompanied by a reduction of the roughness of the ice cover surface. This smoothening effect has been shown to (i) modify the momentum and heat transfer between the atmosphere and ocean, (ii) to alter the ice thickness distribution which in turn controls the snow and melt pond repartition over the ice cover, and (iii) to bias airborne and satellite remote sensing measurements that depend on the scattering and reflective characteristics over the sea ice surface topography. We will review existing and novel remote sensing methodologies proposed to estimate sea ice roughness, ranging from airborne LIDAR measurement (ie Operation IceBridge), to backscatter coefficients from scatterometers (ASCAT, QUICKSCAT), to multi angle maging spectroradiometer (MISR), and to laser (Icesat) and radar altimeters (Envisat, Cryosat, Altika, Sentinel-3). We will show that by comparing and cross-calibrating these different products we can offer a consistent multi-mission, multi-decadal view of the declining sea ice roughness. Implications for sea ice physics, climate and remote sensing will also be discussed.

Measurement of spectral sea ice albedo at Qaanaaq fjord in northwest Greenland

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tanikawa, T.

2017-12-01

The spectral albedos of sea ice were measured at Qaanaaq fjord in northwest Greenland. Spectral measurements were conducted for sea ice covered with snow and sea ice without snow where snow was artificially removed around measurement point. Thickness of the sea ice was approximately 1.3 m with 5 cm of snow over the sea ice. The measurements show that the spectral albedos of the sea ice with snow were lower than those of natural pure snow especially in the visible regions though the spectral shapes were similar to each other. This is because the spectral albedos in the visible region have information of not only the snow but also the sea ice under the snow. The spectral albedos of the sea ice without the snow were approximately 0.4 - 0.5 in the visible region, 0.05-0.25 in the near-infrared region and almost constant of approximately 0.05 in the region of 1500 - 2500 nm. In the visible region, it would be due to multiple scattering by an air bubble within the sea ice. In contrast, in the near-infrared and shortwave infrared wavelengths, surface reflection at the sea ice surface would be dominant. Since a light absorption by the ice in these regions is relatively strong comparing to the visible region, the light could not be penetrated deeply within the sea ice, resulting that surface reflection based on Fresnel reflection would be dominant. In this presentation we also show the results of comparison between the radiative transfer calculation and spectral measurement data.

Characterisation of High Grazing Angle X-band Sea-clutter Doppler Spectra

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-08-01

0397 2 Background The ocean surface is a highly complex dynamical system and relating Doppler spectra to surface conditions is a difficult problem...1966] then extended this theory to water and classified it as a ‘slightly rough’ surface. He showed that the scattering elements of primary importance...incidence field. This is the definition for the Bragg water -wave propagation number defined in the spatial frequency domain as kw = 2k0 cos θ, where

Sea Ice Remote Sensing Using Surface Reflected GPS Signals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Komjathy, Attila; Maslanik, James; Zavorotny, Valery U.; Axelrad, Penina; Katzberg, Stephen J.

2000-01-01

This paper describes a new research effort to extend the application of Global Positioning System (GPS) signal reflections, received by airborne instruments, to cryospheric remote sensing. Our experimental results indicate that reflected GPS signals have potential to provide information on the presence and condition of sea and freshwater ice as well as the freeze/thaw state of frozen ground. In this paper we show results from aircraft experiments over the ice pack near Barrow, Alaska indicating correlation between forward-scattered GPS returns and RADARSAT backscattered measurements.

Reflective properties of melt ponds on sea ice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Malinka, Aleksey; Zege, Eleonora; Istomina, Larysa; Heygster, Georg; Spreen, Gunnar; Perovich, Donald; Polashenski, Chris

2018-06-01

Melt ponds occupy a large part of the Arctic sea ice in summer and strongly affect the radiative budget of the atmosphere-ice-ocean system. In this study, the melt pond reflectance is considered in the framework of radiative transfer theory. The melt pond is modeled as a plane-parallel layer of pure water upon a layer of sea ice (the pond bottom). We consider pond reflection as comprising Fresnel reflection by the water surface and multiple reflections between the pond surface and its bottom, which is assumed to be Lambertian. In order to give a description of how to find the pond bottom albedo, we investigate the inherent optical properties of sea ice. Using the Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin approximation approach to light scattering by non-spherical particles (brine inclusions) and Mie solution for spherical particles (air bubbles), we conclude that the transport scattering coefficient in sea ice is a spectrally independent value. Then, within the two-stream approximation of the radiative transfer theory, we show that the under-pond ice spectral albedo is determined by two independent scalar values: the transport scattering coefficient and ice layer thickness. Given the pond depth and bottom albedo values, the bidirectional reflectance factor (BRF) and albedo of a pond can be calculated with analytical formulas. Thus, the main reflective properties of the melt pond, including their spectral dependence, are determined by only three independent parameters: pond depth z, ice layer thickness H, and transport scattering coefficient of ice σt.The effects of the incident conditions and the atmosphere state are examined. It is clearly shown that atmospheric correction is necessary even for in situ measurements. The atmospheric correction procedure has been used in the model verification. The optical model developed is verified with data from in situ measurements made during three field campaigns performed on landfast and pack ice in the Arctic. The measured pond albedo spectra were fitted with the modeled spectra by varying the pond parameters (z, H, and σt). The coincidence of the measured and fitted spectra demonstrates good performance of the model: it is able to reproduce the albedo spectrum in the visible range with RMSD that does not exceed 1.5 % for a wide variety of melt pond types observed in the Arctic.

A microwave backscattering model for precipitation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ermis, Seda

A geophysical microwave backscattering model for space borne and ground-based remote sensing of precipitation is developed and used to analyze backscattering measurements from rain and snow type precipitation. Vector Radiative Transfer (VRT) equations for a multilayered inhomogeneous medium are applied to the precipitation region for calculation of backscattered intensity. Numerical solution of the VRT equation for multiple layers is provided by the matrix doubling method to take into account close range interactions between particles. In previous studies, the VRT model was used to calculate backscattering from a rain column on a sea surface. In the model, Mie scattering theory for closely spaced scatterers was used to determine the phase matrix for each sublayer characterized by a set of parameters. The scatterers i.e. rain drops within the sublayers were modelled as spheres with complex permittivities. The rain layer was bounded by rough boundaries; the interface between the cloud and the rain column as well as the interface between the sea surface and the rain were all analyzed by using the integral equation model (IEM). Therefore, the phase matrix for the entire rain column was generated by the combination of surface and volume scattering. Besides Mie scattering, in this study, we use T-matrix approach to examine the effect of the shape to the backscattered intensities since larger raindrops are most likely oblique in shape. Analyses show that the effect of obliquity of raindrops to the backscattered wave is related with size of the scatterers and operated frequency. For the ground-based measurement system, the VRT model is applied to simulate the precipitation column on horizontal direction. Therefore, the backscattered reflectivities for each unit range of volume are calculated from the backscattering radar cross sections by considering radar range and effective illuminated area of the radar beam. The volume scattering phase matrices for each range interval are calculated by Mie scattering theory. VRT equations are solved by matrix doubling method to compute phase matrix for entire radar beam. Model results are validated with measured data by X-band dual polarization Phase Tilt Weather Radar (PTWR) for snow, rain, wet hail type precipitation. The geophysical parameters given the best fit with measured reflectivities are used in previous models i.e. Rayleigh Approximation and Mie scattering and compared with the VRT model. Results show that reflectivities calculated by VRT models are differed up to 10 dB from the Rayleigh approximation model and up to 5 dB from the Mie Scattering theory due to both multiple scattering and attenuation losses for the rain rates as high as 80 mm/h.

Investigation of the applications of GEOS-3 radar altimeter data in remote sensing of land and sea features

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miller, L. S.

1977-01-01

A number of GEOS-3 passes over the Atlantic Ocean and Southeastern U.S. are examined. Surface-truth and radar altimeter data comparisons are given in terms of surface correlation length, signal fluctuation characteristics, and altitude tracker dynamic response. Detailed analyses are given regarding spatial resolution and its dependency on angular backscatter behavior. These analyses include data from passes over ocean (diffuse scatter), land (large body scatter), and mirror-like inland water areas (pseudo-specular scatter). Altimeter data are examined for a pass over a large reservoir and marsh area of differing water levels; this geometry represents a stepchange in altitude which is usable in determination of the transient response of the tracker. The extent to which pulse-length limited operation pertains over-land is examined. A Wiener filter altitude algorithm is discussed which permits specification of tracker variance and geoidal spectral characteristics during operation.

The refreezing of melt ponds on Arctic sea ice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Flocco, Daniela; Feltham, Daniel L.; Bailey, Eleanor; Schroeder, David

2015-02-01

The presence of melt ponds on the surface of Arctic sea ice significantly reduces its albedo, inducing a positive feedback leading to sea ice thinning. While the role of melt ponds in enhancing the summer melt of sea ice is well known, their impact on suppressing winter freezing of sea ice has, hitherto, received less attention. Melt ponds freeze by forming an ice lid at the upper surface, which insulates them from the atmosphere and traps pond water between the underlying sea ice and the ice lid. The pond water is a store of latent heat, which is released during refreezing. Until a pond freezes completely, there can be minimal ice growth at the base of the underlying sea ice. In this work, we present a model of the refreezing of a melt pond that includes the heat and salt balances in the ice lid, trapped pond, and underlying sea ice. The model uses a two-stream radiation model to account for radiative scattering at phase boundaries. Simulations and related sensitivity studies suggest that trapped pond water may survive for over a month. We focus on the role that pond salinity has on delaying the refreezing process and retarding basal sea ice growth. We estimate that for a typical sea ice pond coverage in autumn, excluding the impact of trapped ponds in models overestimates ice growth by up to 265 million km3, an overestimate of 26%.

Whitecaps, sea-salt aerosols, and climate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anguelova, Magdalena Dimitrova

Oceanic whitecaps are the major source of sea-salt aerosols. Because these aerosols are dominant in remote marine air, they control the radiative properties of the clean background atmosphere by scattering sunlight, changing cloud properties and lifetime, and providing media for chemical reactions. Including sea-salt effects in climate models improves predictions, but simulating their generation is first necessary. To make the sea-salt generation function currently used in climate models more relevant for aerosol investigations, this study proposes two modifications. First, the conventional relation between whitecap coverage, W, and the 10-meter wind speed, U10, used in typical generation functions is expanded to include additional factors that affect whitecaps and sea-salt aerosol formation. Second, the sea-salt generation function is extended to smaller sizes; sea-salt aerosol with initial radii from 0.4 to 20 mum can now be modeled. To achieve these goals, this thesis develops a new method for estimating whitecap coverage on a global scale using satellite measurements of the brightness temperature of the ocean surface. Whitecap coverage evaluated with this method incorporates the effects of atmospheric stability, sea-surface temperature, salinity, wind fetch, wind duration, and the amount of surface-active material. Assimilating satellite-derived values for whitecap coverage in the sea-salt generation function incorporates the effects of all environmental factors on sea-salt production and predicts realistic sea-salt aerosol loadings into the atmosphere. An extensive database of whitecap coverage and sea-salt aerosol fluxes has been compiled with the new method and is used to investigate their spatial and temporal characteristics. The composite effect of all environmental factors suggests a more uniform latitudinal distribution of whitecaps and sea-salt aerosols than that predicted from wind speed alone. The effect of sea-surface temperature, TS, is parameterized for the first time using regression analysis. The resulting parameterization W( U10, TS) is a better predictor of whitecap coverage than the conventional W(U 10) relation. This thesis also considers the contribution of oceanic whitecaps to ocean albedo and CO2 transfer and evaluates the direct effect of sea-salt aerosols on climate, the sea-salt contribution to CCN formation, and the role of sea-salt aerosols in atmospheric chemistry.

On The TerraSAR-X Dual-Mode For Oil Slick Observation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Velotto, D.; Migliaccio, M.; Nunziata, F.; Lehner, S.

2010-04-01

In this study a polarimetric approach is for the first time developed and applied to X-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data for sea oil slick observation. Following this an electromagnetic model which, based on the Co-polarized Phase Difference (CPD), allows describing the slick-free and slick-covered sea surface scattering is proposed. Single Look Complex (SSC) TerraSAR-X (TSX) data, gathered in dual polarimetric mode, in which both certified oil slicks and look-alikes are present, are analyzed. Several experiments are shown here and discussed in detail.

Experimental measurement and theoretical modeling of microwave scattering and the structure of the sea surface influencing radar observations from space

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arnold, David; Kong, J. A.

1992-01-01

The electromagnetic (EM) bias 'epsilon' is an error present in radar altimetry of the ocean due to the nonuniform reflection from wave troughs and crests. The EM bias is defined as the difference between the mean reflecting surface and the mean sea surface. A knowledge of the EM bias is necessary to permit error reduction in mean sea level measurements by satellite radar altimeters. Direct measurements of the EM bias were made from a Shell Offshore oil production platform in the Gulf of Mexico for a six month period during 1989 and 1990. Measurements of the EM bias were made at 5 and 14 Ghz. During the EM bias experiments by Melville et al., a wire wave gauge was used to obtain the modulation of the high frequency waves by the low frequency waves. It became apparent that the EM bias was primarily caused by the modulation of the short waves. This was reported by Arnold et al. The EM bias is explained using physical optics scattering and an empirical model for the short wave modulation. Measurements of the short wave modulation using a wire wave gauge demonstrated a linear dependence of the normalized bias on the short wave modulation strength, M. The theory accurately predicts this dependence by the relation epsilon = -alphaMH sub 1/3. The wind speed dependence of the normalized bias is explained by the dependence of the short wave modulation strength on the wind speed. While other effects such as long wave tilt and curvature will have an effect on the bias, the primary cause of the bias is shown to be due to the short wave modulation. This report will present a theory using physical optics scattering and an empirical model of the short wave modulation to estimate the EM bias. The estimated EM bias will be compared to measurements at C and Ku bands.

(abstract) A Polarimetric Model for Effects of Brine Infiltrated Snow Cover and Frost Flowers on Sea Ice Backscatter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nghiem, S. V.; Kwok, R.; Yueh, S. H.

1995-01-01

A polarimetric scattering model is developed to study effects of snow cover and frost flowers with brine infiltration on thin sea ice. Leads containing thin sea ice in the Artic icepack are important to heat exchange with the atmosphere and salt flux into the upper ocean. Surface characteristics of thin sea ice in leads are dominated by the formation of frost flowers with high salinity. In many cases, the thin sea ice layer is covered by snow, which wicks up brine from sea ice due to capillary force. Snow and frost flowers have a significant impact on polarimetric signatures of thin ice, which needs to be studied for accessing the retrieval of geophysical parameters such as ice thickness. Frost flowers or snow layer is modeled with a heterogeneous mixture consisting of randomly oriented ellipsoids and brine infiltration in an air background. Ice crystals are characterized with three different axial lengths to depict the nonspherical shape. Under the covering multispecies medium, the columinar sea-ice layer is an inhomogeneous anisotropic medium composed of ellipsoidal brine inclusions preferentially oriented in the vertical direction in an ice background. The underlying medium is homogeneous sea water. This configuration is described with layered inhomogeneous media containing multiple species of scatterers. The species are allowed to have different size, shape, and permittivity. The strong permittivity fluctuation theory is extended to account for the multispecies in the derivation of effective permittivities with distributions of scatterer orientations characterized by Eulerian rotation angles. Polarimetric backscattering coefficients are obtained consistently with the same physical description used in the effective permittivity calculation. The mulitspecies model allows the inclusion of high-permittivity species to study effects of brine infiltrated snow cover and frost flowers on thin ice. The results suggest that the frost cover with a rough interface significantly increases the backscatter from thin saline ice and the polarimetric signature becomes closer to the isotropic characteristics. The snow cover also modifies polarimetric signatures of thin sea ice depending on the snow mixture and the interface condition.

Dependence of sea-surface microwave emissivity on friction velocity as derived from SMMR/SASS

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wentz, F. J.; Christensen, E. J.; Richardson, K. A.

1981-01-01

The sea-surface microwave emissivity is derived using SMMR brightness temperatures and SASS inferred friction velocities for three North Pacific Seasat passes. The results show the emissivity increasing linearly with friction velocity with no obvious break between the foam-free and foam regimes up to a friction velocity of about 70 cm/sec (15 m/sec wind speed). For horizontal polarization the sensitivity of emissivity to friction velocity greatly increases with frequency, while for vertical polarization the sensitivity is much less and is independent of frequency. This behavior is consistent with two-scale scattering theory. A limited amount of high friction velocity data above 70 cm/sec suggests an additional increase in emissivity due to whitecapping.

Forward Scattering from Fetch-Limited and Swell-Contaminated Sea Surfaces

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-10-01

limited wind fields, and the global/re- Hasselman 5 et al. have proposed that a constant value for y gional deep water wave model7 ( DWAVE ) for surfaces gen...where it is difficult to define the Pierson-Moskowitz or JONSWAP descriptions, DWAVE fetch, the peak frequency of the observed spectrum can be...generating winds, the DWAVE model dependence of the spectrum on azimuthal variation, it is ex- has been employed. This model numerically calculates the

Theoretical model for scattering of radar signals in Ku- and C-bands from a rough sea surface with breaking waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Voronovich, A. G.; Zavorotny, V. U.

2001-07-01

A small-slope approximation (SSA) is used for numerical calculations of a radar backscattering cross section of the ocean surface for both Ku- and C-bands for various wind speeds and incident angles. Both the lowest order of the SSA and the one that includes the next-order correction to it are considered. The calculations were made by assuming the surface-height spectrum of Elfouhaily et al for fully developed seas. Empirical scattering models CMOD2-I3 and SASS-II are used for comparison. Theoretical calculations are in good overall agreement with the experimental data represented by the empirical models, with the exception of HH-polarization in the upwind direction. It was assumed that steep breaking waves are responsible for this effect, and the probability density function of large slopes was calculated based on this assumption. The logarithm of this function in the upwind direction can be approximated by a linear combination of wind speed and the appropriate slope. The resulting backscattering cross section for upwind, downwind and cross-wind directions, for winds ranging between 5 and 15 m s-1, and for both polarizations in both wave bands corresponds to experimental results within 1-2 dB accuracy.

Characterizing a large shear-zone with seismic and magnetotelluric methods: The case of the Dead Sea Transform

USGS Publications Warehouse

Maercklin, N.; Bedrosian, P.A.; Haberland, C.; Ritter, O.; Ryberg, T.; Weber, M.; Weckmann, U.

2005-01-01

Seismic tomography, imaging of seismic scatterers, and magnetotelluric soundings reveal a sharp lithologic contrast along a ???10 km long segment of the Arava Fault (AF), a prominent fault of the southern Dead Sea Transform (DST) in the Middle East. Low seismic velocities and resistivities occur on its western side and higher values east of it, and the boundary between the two units coincides partly with a seismic scattering image. At 1-4 km depth the boundary is offset to the east of the AF surface trace, suggesting that at least two fault strands exist, and that slip occurred on multiple strands throughout the margin's history. A westward fault jump, possibly associated with straightening of a fault bend, explains both our observations and the narrow fault zone observed by others. Copyright 2005 by the American Geophysical Union.

Hydrological and biogeochemical response of the Mediterranean Sea to freshwater flow changes for the end of the 21st century.

PubMed

Macias, Diego; Stips, Adolf; Garcia-Gorriz, Elisa; Dosio, Alessandro

2018-01-01

We evaluate the changes on the hydrological (temperature and salinity) and biogeochemical (phytoplankton biomass) characteristics of the Mediterranean Sea induced by freshwater flow modifications under two different scenarios for the end of the 21st century. An ensemble of four regional climate model realizations using different global circulation models at the boundary and different emission scenarios are used to force a single ocean model for the Mediterranean Sea. Freshwater flow is modified according to the simulated changes in the precipitation rates for the different rivers' catchment regions. To isolate the effect resulting from a change in freshwater flow, model results are evaluated against a 'baseline' simulation realized assuming a constant inflow equivalent to climatologic values. Our model results indicate that sea surface salinity could be significantly altered by freshwater flow modification in specific regions and that the affected area and the sign of the anomaly are highly dependent on the used climate model and emission scenario. Sea surface temperature and phytoplankton biomass, on the contrary, show no coherent spatial pattern but a rather widespread scattered response. We found in open-water regions a significant negative relationship between sea surface temperature anomalies and phytoplankton biomass anomalies. This indicates that freshwater flow modification could alter the vertical stability of the water column throughout the Mediterranean Sea, by changing the strength of vertical mixing and consequently upper water fertilization. In coastal regions, however, the correlation between sea temperature anomalies and phytoplankton biomass is positive, indicating a larger importance of the physiological control of growth rates by temperature.

SeaWinds Scatterometer Wind Vector Retrievals Within Hurricanes Using AMSR and NEXRAD to Perform Corrections for Precipitation Effects: Comparison of AMSR and NEXRAD Retrievals of Rain

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Weissman, David E.; Hristova-Veleva, Svetla; Callahan, Philip

2006-01-01

The opportunity provided by satellite scatterometers to measure ocean surface winds in strong storms and hurricanes is diminished by the errors in the received backscatter (SIGMA-0) caused by the attenuation, scattering and surface roughening produced by heavy rain. Providing a good rain correction is a very challenging problem, particularly at Ku band (13.4 GHz) where rain effects are strong. Corrections to the scatterometer measurements of ocean surface winds can be pursued with either of two different methods: empirical or physical modeling. The latter method is employed in this study because of the availability of near simultaneous and collocated measurements provided by the MIDORI-II suite of instruments. The AMSR was designed to measure atmospheric water-related parameters on a spatial scale comparable to the SeaWinds scatterometer. These quantities can be converted into volumetric attenuation and scattering at the Ku-band frequency of SeaWinds. Optimal estimates of the volume backscatter and attenuation require a knowledge of the three dimensional distribution of reflectivity on a scale comparable to that of the precipitation. Studies selected near the US coastline enable the much higher resolution NEXRAD reflectivity measurements evaluate the AMSR estimates. We are also conducting research into the effects of different beam geometries and nonuniform beamfilling of precipitation within the field-of-view of the AMSR and the scatterometer. Furthermore, both AMSR and NEXRAD estimates of atmospheric correction can be used to produce corrected SIGMA-0s, which are then input to the JPL wind retrieval algorithm.

A scattering approach to sea wave diffraction

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Corradini, M. L., E-mail: letizia.corradini@unicam.it; Garbuglia, M., E-mail: milena.garbuglia@unicam.it; Maponi, P., E-mail: pierluigi.maponi@unicam.it

This paper intends to show a model for the diffraction of sea waves approaching an OWC device, which converts the sea waves motion into mechanical energy and then electrical energy. This is a preliminary study to the optimisation of the device, in fact the computation of sea waves diffraction around the device allows the estimation of the sea waves energy which enters into the device. The computation of the diffraction phenomenon is the result of a sea waves scattering problem, solved with an integral equation method.

Pathological effects of cyanobacteria on sea fans in southeast Florida.

PubMed

Kiryu, Y; Landsberg, J H; Peters, E C; Tichenor, E; Burleson, C; Perry, N

2015-07-01

In early August 2008, observations by divers indicated that sea fans, particularly Gorgonia ventalina, Gorgonia flabellum, and Iciligorgia schrammi, were being covered by benthic filamentous cyanobacteria. From August 2008 through January 2009 and again in April 2009, tissue samples from a targeted G. ventalina colony affected by cyanobacteria and from a nearby, apparently healthy (without cyanobacteria) control colony, were collected monthly for histopathological examination. The primary cellular response of the sea fan to overgrowth by cyanobacteria was an increase in the number of acidophilic amoebocytes (with their granular contents dispersed) that were scattered throughout the coenenchyme tissue. Necrosis of scleroblasts and zooxanthellae and infiltration of degranulated amoebocytes were observed in the sea fan surface tissues at sites overgrown with cyanobacteria. Fungal hyphae in the axial skeleton were qualitatively more prominent in cyanobacteria-affected sea fans than in controls. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Remote sensing science for the Nineties; Proceedings of IGARSS '90 - 10th Annual International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, University of Maryland, College Park, May 20-24, 1990. Vols. 1, 2, & 3

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1990-01-01

Various papers on remote sensing (RS) for the nineties are presented. The general topics addressed include: subsurface methods, radar scattering, oceanography, microwave models, atmospheric correction, passive microwave systems, RS in tropical forests, moderate resolution land analysis, SAR geometry and SNR improvement, image analysis, inversion and signal processing for geoscience, surface scattering, rain measurements, sensor calibration, wind measurements, terrestrial ecology, agriculture, geometric registration, subsurface sediment geology, radar modulation mechanisms, radar ocean scattering, SAR calibration, airborne radar systems, water vapor retrieval, forest ecosystem dynamics, land analysis, multisensor data fusion. Also considered are: geologic RS, RS sensor optical measurements, RS of snow, temperature retrieval, vegetation structure, global change, artificial intelligence, SAR processing techniques, geologic RS field experiment, stochastic modeling, topography and Digital Elevation model, SAR ocean waves, spaceborne lidar and optical, sea ice field measurements, millimeter waves, advanced spectroscopy, spatial analysis and data compression, SAR polarimetry techniques. Also discussed are: plant canopy modeling, optical RS techniques, optical and IR oceanography, soil moisture, sea ice back scattering, lightning cloud measurements, spatial textural analysis, SAR systems and techniques, active microwave sensing, lidar and optical, radar scatterometry, RS of estuaries, vegetation modeling, RS systems, EOS/SAR Alaska, applications for developing countries, SAR speckle and texture.

Field assessment of optical transparency in the low-level marine boundary layer: preliminary data from coastal New England sites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vandemark, Douglas; Feng, Hui; Greenslade, Margaret E.

2016-05-01

Estimating the variation in the spectral transmission and scattering of optical and near-IR radiation near the sea surface under a range of conditions should be feasible using historical data collected off the coast of New Hampshire USA and along the coastline in the Gulf of Maine. Presented here are long-term offshore aerosol optical depth measurements collected using an AERONET sun photometer from 2007-2011 and near-surface wind and (3 m) horizontal visibility measurements collected using surface meteorological buoys from 2001-present. Future analysis of these data can address their correlation with near-surface meteorological and sea state conditions and to exploit an intensive but limited subset of historical aerosol particle measurements collected here both during a large research ship surveys (ICARTT) as well as with a dedicated aerosol measurement station in summer 2005. Refractive index variation and relevant altitude-dependent differences in meteorological scalars are also investigated using unique offshore long-term measurements at 3 and 32 m above sea level. Overall project results should provide new information for assessment against several existing models for aerosol extinction in marine environments.

Remote sensing of ocean currents using ERTS imagery

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Maul, G. A.

1973-01-01

Major ocean currents such as the Loop Current in the eastern Gulf of Mexico have surface manifestations which can be exploited for remote sensing. Surface chlorophyll-a concentrations, which contribute to the shift in color from blue to green in the open sea, were found to have high spatial variability; significantly lower concentrations were observed in the current. The cyclonic edge of the current is an accumulation zone which causes a peak in chlorophyll concentration. The dynamics also cause surface concentrations of algae, which have a high reflectance in the near infrared. Combining these observations gives rise to an edge effect which can show up as a bright lineation on multispectral imagery delimiting the current's boundary under certain environmental conditions. When high seas introduce bubbles, white caps, and foam, the reflectance is dominated by scattering rather than absorption. This has been detected in ERTS imagery and used for current location.

10 Years of Asian Dust Storm Observations from SeaWiFS: Source, Pathway, and Interannual Variability

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hsu, N. Christina; Tsay, S.-C.; King, M.D.; Jeong, M.-J.

2008-01-01

In this paper, we will demonstrate the capability of a new satellite algorithm to retrieve aerosol optical thickness and single scattering albedo over bright-reflecting surfaces such as urban areas and deserts. Such retrievals have been difficult to perform using previously available algorithms that use wavelengths from the mid-visible to the near IR because they have trouble separating the aerosol signal from the contribution due to the bright surface reflectance. The new algorithm, called Deep Blue, utilizes blue-wavelength measurements from instruments such as SeaWiFS and MODIS to infer the properties of aerosols, since the surface reflectance over land in the blue part of the spectrum is much lower than for longer wavelength channels. We have validated the satellite retrieved aerosol optical thickness with data from AERONET sunphotometers over desert and semi-desert regions. The comparisons show reasonable agreements between these two. These new satellite products will allow scientists to determine quantitatively the aerosol properties near sources using high spatial resolution measurements from SeaWiFS and MODIS-like instruments. The multiyear satellite measurements (1998 - 2007) from SeaWiFS will be utilized to investigate the interannual variability of source, pathway, and dust loading associated with these dust outbreaks in East Asia. The monthly averaged aerosol optical thickness during the springtime from SeaWiFS will also be compared with the MODIS Deep Blue products.

ERS-1 and Seasat scatterometer measurements of ocean winds: Model functions and the directional distribution of short waves

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Freilich, Michael H.; Dunbar, R. Scott

1993-01-01

Calculation of accurate vector winds from scatterometers requires knowledge of the relationship between backscatter cross-section and the geophysical variable of interest. As the detailed dynamics of wind generation of centimetric waves and radar-sea surface scattering at moderate incidence angles are not well known, empirical scatterometer model functions relating backscatter to winds must be developed. Less well appreciated is the fact that, given an accurate model function and some knowledge of the dominant scattering mechanisms, significant information on the amplitudes and directional distributions of centimetric roughness elements on the sea surface can be inferred. accurate scatterometer model functions can thus be used to investigate wind generation of short waves under realistic conditions. The present investigation involves developing an empirical model function for the C-band (5.3 GHz) ERS-1 scatterometer and comparing Ku-band model functions with the C-band model to infer information on the two-dimensional spectrum of centimetric roughness elements in the ocean. The C-band model function development is based on collocations of global backscatter measurements with operational surface analyses produced by meteorological agencies. Strengths and limitations of the method are discussed, and the resulting model function is validated in part through comparison with the actual distributions of backscatter cross-section triplets. Details of the directional modulation as well as the wind speed sensitivity at C-band are investigated. Analysis of persistent outliers in the data is used to infer the magnitudes of non-wind effects (such as atmospheric stratification, swell, etc.). The ERS-1 C-band instrument and the Seasat Ku-band (14.6 GHz) scatterometer both imaged waves of approximately 3.4 cm wavelength assuming that Bragg scattering is the dominant mechanism. Comparisons of the C-band and Ku-band model functions are used both to test the validity of the postulated Bragg mechanism and to investigate the directional distribution of the imaged waves under a variety of conditions where Bragg scatter is dominant.

Radiance distribution over a ruffled sea: contributions from glitter, sky, and ocean.

PubMed

Plass, G N; Kattawar, G W; Guinn, J A

1976-12-01

The upward radiance just above the ocean surface and at the top of the atmosphere is calculated for a realistic model including an ocean surface with waves. The separate contributions of the sun glitter, the reflected sky radiance, and the upwelling photons from the ocean are calculated. The Monte Carlo method takes account of both Rayleigh scattering by the molecules and Mie scattering by the aerosols as well as molecular and aerosol absorption in the atmosphere. Similarly, in the ocean, both Rayleigh scattering by the water molecules and Mie scattering by the hydrosols as well as absorption by the water molecules and hydrosols are considered. Separate single-scattering functions are used for the aerosols and hydrosols calculated from the Mie theory. Both the reflected and refracted rays, as well as the rays that undergo total internal reflection, are followed at the ocean surface. The wave slope is chosen from the Cox-Munk distribution. The upward radiance just above the ocean surface outside of the sun glitter region is dominated by the reflected sky radiation from the horizon to a nadir angle of observation of from 68 degrees to 23 degrees depending on the azimuthal angle and the solar zenith angle; the upwelling photons from the ocean dominate over the remainder of the hemisphere, except in the region of the sun glitter which centers around the mirror image of the sun on a calm ocean. It is possible to answer various questions about the interaction of light with the ocean from the quantitative results presented here.

Bio-inspired, colorful, flexible, defrostable light-scattering hybrid films for the effective distribution of LED light.

PubMed

An, Seongpil; Jo, Hong Seok; Kim, Yong Il; Song, Kyo Yong; Kim, Min-Woo; Lee, Kyu Bum; Yarin, Alexander L; Yoon, Sam S

2017-07-06

Bioluminescent jellyfish has a unique structure derived from fiber/polymer interfaces that is advantageous for effective light scattering in the dark, deep sea water. Herein, we demonstrate the fabrication of bio-inspired hybrid films by mimicry of the jellyfish's structure, leading to excellent light-scattering performance and defrosting capability. A haze value reaching 59.3% and a heating temperature of up to 292 °C were achieved with the films. Accordingly, the developed surface constitutes an attractive optical device for lighting applications, especially for street or vehicle luminaries for freezing Arctic-climate countries. The morphological details of the hybrid films were revealed by scanning electron microscopy. The light-scattering properties of these films were examined by ultraviolet-visible-infrared spectrophotometry and anti-glare effect analyses. The defrosting performance of the hybrid films was evaluated via heating tests and infra-red observations.

Impact of wave mixing on the sea ice cover

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rynders, Stefanie; Aksenov, Yevgeny; Madec, Gurvan; Nurser, George; Feltham, Daniel

2017-04-01

As information on surface waves in ice-covered regions becomes available in ice-ocean models, there is an opportunity to model wave-related processes more accurate. Breaking waves cause mixing of the upper water column and present mixing schemes in ocean models take this into account through surface roughness. A commonly used approach is to calculate surface roughness from significant wave height, parameterised from wind speed. We present results from simulations using modelled significant wave height instead, which accounts for the presence of sea ice and the effect of swell. The simulations use the NEMO ocean model coupled to the CICE sea ice model, with wave information from the ECWAM model of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). The new waves-in-ice module allows waves to propagate in sea ice and attenuates waves according to multiple scattering and non-elastic losses. It is found that in the simulations with wave mixing the mixed layer depth (MLD) under ice cover is reduced, since the parameterisation from wind speed overestimates wave height in the ice-covered regions. The MLD change, in turn, affects sea ice concentration and ice thickness. In the Arctic, reduced MLD in winter translates into increased ice thicknesses overall, with higher increases in the Western Arctic and decreases along the Siberian coast. In summer, shallowing of the mixed layer results in more heat accumulating in the surface ocean, increasing ice melting. In the Southern Ocean the meridional gradient in ice thickness and concentration is increased. We argue that coupling waves with sea ice - ocean models can reduce negative biases in sea ice cover, affecting the distribution of nutrients and, thus, biological productivity and ecosystems. This coupling will become more important in the future, when wave heights in a large part of the Arctic are expected to increase due to sea ice retreat and a larger wave fetch. Therefore, wave mixing constitutes a possible positive feedback mechanism.

Retrieval of spectral aerosol optical thickness over land using ocean color sensors MERIS and SeaWiFS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

von Hoyningen-Huene, W.; Yoon, J.; Vountas, M.; Istomina, L. G.; Rohen, G.; Dinter, T.; Kokhanovsky, A. A.; Burrows, J. P.

2010-05-01

For the determination of aerosol optical thickness (AOT) Bremen AErosol Retrieval (BAER) has been developed. Method and main influences on the aerosol retrieval are described together with validation and results. The retrieval separates the spectral aerosol reflectance from surface and Rayleigh path reflectance for the shortwave range of the measured spectrum of top-of-atmosphere reflectance less than 0.670 μm. The advantage of MERIS (Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer on ENVISAT) and SeaWiFS (Sea viewing Wide Fiels Sensor on OrbView-2) observations are the existence of several spectral channels in the blue and visible range enabling the spectral determination of AOT in 7 (or 6) channels (0.412-0.670 μm) and additionally channels in the NIR, which can be used to characterize the surface properties. A dynamical spectral surface reflectance model for different surface types is used to obtain the spectral surface reflectance for this separation. Normalized differential vegetation index (NDVI), taken from the satellite observations, is the model input. Further surface BRDF is considered by the Raman-Pinty-Verstraete (RPV) model. Spectral AOT is obtained from aerosol reflectance using look-up-tables, obtained from radiative transfer calculations with given aerosol phase functions and single scattering albedos either from aerosol models, given by OPAC or from experimental campaigns. Validations of the obtained AOT retrieval results with AERONET data over Europe gave a preference for experimental phase functions derived from almucantar measurements. Finally long-term observations of SeaWiFS have been investigated for trends in AOT.

Radiometric calibration of SeaWiFS in the near infrared

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Martiny, Nadege; Frouin, Robert; Santer, Richard

2005-12-20

The radiometric calibration of the Sea-Viewing Wide-Field-of-View Sensor (SeaWiFS) in the near infrared (band 8, centered on 865 nm) is evaluated by use of ground-based radiometer measurements of solar extinction and sky radiance in the Sun's principal plane at two sites, one located 13 km off Venice, Italy, and the other on the west coast of Lanai Island, Hawaii. The aerosol optical thickness determined from solar extinction is used in an iterative scheme to retrieve the pseudo aerosol phase function, i.e., the product of single-scattering albedo and phase function, in which sky radiance is corrected for multiple scattering effects. Nomore » assumption about the aerosol model is required. The aerosol parameters are the inputs into a radiation-transfer code used to compute the SeaWiFS radiance. The calibration method has a theoretical inaccuracy of plus or minus 2.0-3.6%, depending on the solar zenith angle and the SeaWiFS geometry. The major source of error is in the calibration of the ground-based radiometer operated in radiance mode, assumed to be accurate to {+-}2%. The establishment of strict criteria for atmospheric stability, angular geometry, and surface conditions resulted in selection of only 26 days for the analysis during 1999-2000 (Venice site) and 1998-2001 (Lanai site). For these days the measured level-1B radiance from the SeaWiFS Project Office was generally lower than the corresponding simulated radiance in band 8 by 7.0% on average, {+-}2.8%.« less

Newly Formed Sea Ice in Arctic Leads Monitored by C- and L-Band SAR

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johansson, A. Malin; Brekke, Camilla; Spreen, Gunnar; King, Jennifer A.; Gerland, Sebastian

2016-08-01

We investigate the scattering entropy and co-polarization ratio for Arctic lead ice using C- and L-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite scenes. During the Norwegian Young sea ICE (N-ICE2015) cruise campaign overlapping SAR scenes, helicopter borne sea ice thickness measurements and photographs were collected. We can therefore relate the SAR signal to sea ice thickness measurements as well as photographs taken of the sea ice. We show that a combination of scattering and co-polarization ratio values can be used to distinguish young ice from open water and surrounding sea ice.

Optical properties of melting first-year Arctic sea ice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Light, Bonnie; Perovich, Donald K.; Webster, Melinda A.; Polashenski, Christopher; Dadic, Ruzica

2015-11-01

The albedo and transmittance of melting, first-year Arctic sea ice were measured during two cruises of the Impacts of Climate on the Eco-Systems and Chemistry of the Arctic Pacific Environment (ICESCAPE) project during the summers of 2010 and 2011. Spectral measurements were made for both bare and ponded ice types at a total of 19 ice stations in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas. These data, along with irradiance profiles taken within boreholes, laboratory measurements of the optical properties of core samples, ice physical property observations, and radiative transfer model simulations are employed to describe representative optical properties for melting first-year Arctic sea ice. Ponded ice was found to transmit roughly 4.4 times more total energy into the ocean, relative to nearby bare ice. The ubiquitous surface-scattering layer and drained layer present on bare, melting sea ice are responsible for its relatively high albedo and relatively low transmittance. Light transmittance through ponded ice depends on the physical thickness of the ice and the magnitude of the scattering coefficient in the ice interior. Bare ice reflects nearly three-quarters of the incident sunlight, enhancing its resiliency to absorption by solar insolation. In contrast, ponded ice absorbs or transmits to the ocean more than three-quarters of the incident sunlight. Characterization of the heat balance of a summertime ice cover is largely dictated by its pond coverage, and light transmittance through ponded ice shows strong contrast between first-year and multiyear Arctic ice covers.

Spectral Dependence of the Scattering Coefficient in Case 1 and Case 2 Waters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gould, Richard W., Jr.; Arnone, Robert A.; Martinolich, Paul M.

1999-04-01

An approximate linear relationship between the scattering coefficient and the wavelength of light in the visible is found in case 1 and case 2 waters. From this relationship, we estimate scattering at an unknown wavelength from scattering at a single measured wavelength. This approximation is based on measurements in a 1.5-m-thick surface layer collected with an AC9 instrument at 63 stations in the Arabian Sea, northern Gulf of Mexico, and coastal North Carolina. The light-scattering coefficient at 412 nm ranged from 0.2 to 15.1 m 1 in these waters, and the absorption coefficient at 412 nm ranged from 0.2 to 4.0 m 1 . A separate data set for 100 stations from Oceanside, California, and Chesapeake Bay, Virginia, was used to validate the relationship. Although the Oceanside waters were considerably different from the developmental data set (based on absorption-to-scattering ratios and single-scattering albedos), the average error between modeled and measured scattering values was 6.0% for the entire test data set over all wavelengths (without regard to sign). The slope of the spectral scattering relationship decreases progressively from high-scattering, turbid waters dominated by suspended sediments to lower-scattering, clear waters dominated by phytoplankton.

Comparison of radar backscatter from Antarctic and Arctic sea ice

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hosseinmostafa, R.; Lytle, V.

1992-01-01

Two ship-based step-frequency radars, one at C-band (5.3 GHz) and one at Ku-band (13.9 GHz), measured backscatter from ice in the Weddell Sea. Most of the backscatter data were from first-year (FY) and second-year (SY) ice at the ice stations where the ship was stationary and detailed snow and ice characterizations were performed. The presence of a slush layer at the snow-ice interface masks the distinction between FY and SY ice in the Weddell Sea, whereas in the Arctic the separation is quite distinct. The effect of snow-covered ice on backscattering coefficients (sigma0) from the Weddell Sea region indicates that surface scattering is the dominant factor. Measured sigma0 values were compared with Kirchhoff and regression-analysis models. The Weibull power-density function was used to fit the measured backscattering coefficients at 45 deg.

Surface roughness considerations for atmospheric correction of ocean color sensors. I - The Rayleigh-scattering component. II - Error in the retrieved water-leaving radiance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gordon, Howard R.; Wang, Menghua

1992-01-01

The first step in the Coastal Zone Color Scanner (CZCS) atmospheric-correction algorithm is the computation of the Rayleigh-scattering (RS) contribution, L sub r, to the radiance leaving the top of the atmosphere over the ocean. In the present algorithm, L sub r is computed by assuming that the ocean surface is flat. Calculations of the radiance leaving an RS atmosphere overlying a rough Fresnel-reflecting ocean are presented to evaluate the radiance error caused by the flat-ocean assumption. Simulations are carried out to evaluate the error incurred when the CZCS-type algorithm is applied to a realistic ocean in which the surface is roughened by the wind. In situations where there is no direct sun glitter, it is concluded that the error induced by ignoring the Rayleigh-aerosol interaction is usually larger than that caused by ignoring the surface roughness. This suggests that, in refining algorithms for future sensors, more effort should be focused on dealing with the Rayleigh-aerosol interaction than on the roughness of the sea surface.

Relationship between RADARSAT-2 Derived Snow Thickness on Winter First Year Sea-Ice and Aerial Melt-Pond Distribution using Geostatistics and GLCM Texture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramjan, S.; Geldsetzer, T.; Yackel, J.

2016-12-01

A contemporary shift from primarily thicker, older multi-year sea ice (MYI) to thinner, smoother first-year sea ice (FYI) has been attributed to increased atmospheric and oceanic warming in the Arctic, with a steady diminishing of Arctic sea ice thickness due to a reduction of thick MYI compared to FYI. With an increase in FYI fraction, increased melting takes place during the summer months, exposing the sea ice to additional incoming solar radiation. With this change, an increase in melt pond fraction has been observed during the summer melt season. Prior research advocated that thin/thick snow leads to dominant surface flooding/snow patches during summer because of an enhanced ice-albedo feedback. For instance, thin snow cover areas form melt ponds first. Therefore, aerial measurements of melt pond fraction provide a proxy for relative snow thickness. RADARSAT-2 polarimetric SAR data can provide enhanced information about both surface scattering and volume scattering mechanisms, as well as recording the phase difference between polarizations. These polarimetric parameters can be computed that have a useful physical interpretation. The principle research focus is to establish a methodology to determine the relationship between selected geostatistics and image texture measures of pre-melt RADARSAT-2 parameters and aerially-measured melt pond fraction. Overall, the notion of this study is to develop an algorithm to estimate relative snow thickness variability in winter through an integrated approach utilizing SAR polarimetric parameters, geostatistical analysis and texture measures. Results are validated with test sets of melt pond fractions, and in situ snow thickness measurements. Preliminary findings show significant correlations with pond fraction for the standard deviation of HH and HV parameters at small incidence angles, and for the mean of the co-pol phase difference parameter at large incidence angles.

Size distribution of oceanic air bubbles entrained in sea-water by wave-breaking

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Resch, F.; Avellan, F.

1982-01-01

The size of oceanic air bubbles produced by whitecaps and wave-breaking is determined. The production of liquid aerosols at the sea surface is predicted. These liquid aerosols are at the origin of most of the particulate materials exchanged between the ocean and the atmosphere. A prototype was designed and built using an optical technique based on the principle of light scattering at an angle of ninety degrees from the incident light beam. The output voltage is a direct function of the bubble diameter. Calibration of the probe was carried out within a range of 300 microns to 1.2 mm. Bubbles produced by wave-breaking in a large air-sea interaction simulating facility. Experimental results are given in the form of size spectrum.

Comparisons of some scattering theories with recent scatterometer measurements. [sea roughness radar model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fung, A. K.; Dome, G.; Moore, R. K.

1977-01-01

The paper compares the predictions of two different types of sea scatter theories with recent scatterometer measurements which indicate the variations of the backscattering coefficient with polarization, incident angle, wind speed, and azimuth angle. Wright's theory (1968) differs from that of Chan and Fung (1977) in two major aspects: (1) Wright uses Phillips' sea spectrum (1966) while Chan and Fung use that of Mitsuyasu and Honda, and (2) Wright uses a modified slick sea slope distribution by Cox and Munk (1954) while Chan and Fung use the slick sea slope distribution of Cox and Munk defined with respect to the plane perpendicular to the look direction. Satisfactory agreements between theory and experimental data are obtained when Chan and Fung's model is used to explain the wind and azimuthal dependence of the scattering coefficient.

Airborne Polarimetric, Two-Color Laser Altimeter Measurements of Lake Ice Cover: A Pathfinder for NASA's ICESat-2 Spaceflight Mission

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Harding, David; Dabney, Philip; Valett, Susan; Yu, Anthony; Vasilyev, Aleksey; Kelly, April

2011-01-01

The ICESat-2 mission will continue NASA's spaceflight laser altimeter measurements of ice sheets, sea ice and vegetation using a new measurement approach: micropulse, single photon ranging at 532 nm. Differential penetration of green laser energy into snow, ice and water could introduce errors in sea ice freeboard determination used for estimation of ice thickness. Laser pulse scattering from these surface types, and resulting range biasing due to pulse broadening, is assessed using SIMPL airborne data acquired over icecovered Lake Erie. SIMPL acquires polarimetric lidar measurements at 1064 and 532 nm using the micropulse, single photon ranging measurement approach.

New record of Lobophora rosacea (Dictyotales; Phaeophyceae) from the South China Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Zhongmin; Wang, Yongqiang; Yan, Pengcheng; Guo, Hui; Yao, Jianting; Tanaka, Jiro; Kawai, Hiroshi

2017-01-01

Lobophora rosacea C.W. Vieira, Payri et De Clerck is reported from the South China Sea for the first time. Our specimens are very similar to L. rosacea recently described from New Caledonia, not only in morphology but also in rbcL and cox3 gene sequences. The fan-shaped thallus grows erectly, attaching to the substrate by a basal holdfast. The thallus is composed of a single layer of large medullary cells and three to four layers of cortical cells on both sides of the medulla. Mature sporophytes are detected, with sporangium sori scattered on both surfaces of the thallus.

Investigation of radar backscattering from second-year sea ice

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lei, Guang-Tsai; Moore, Richard K.; Gogineni, S. P.

1988-01-01

The scattering properties of second-year ice were studied in an experiment at Mould Bay in April 1983. Radar backscattering measurements were made at frequencies of 5.2, 9.6, 13.6, and 16.6 GHz for vertical polarization, horizontal polarization and cross polarizations, with incidence angles ranging from 15 to 70 deg. The results indicate that the second-year ice scattering characteristics were different from first-year ice and also different from multiyear ice. The fading properties of radar signals were studied and compared with experimental data. The influence of snow cover on sea ice can be evaluated by accounting for the increase in the number of independent samples from snow volume with respect to that for bare ice surface. A technique for calculating the snow depth was established by this principle and a reasonable agreement has been observed. It appears that this is a usable way to measure depth in snow or other snow-like media using radar.

Wind Speed Measurement from Bistatically Scattered GPS Signals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Garrison, James L.; Komjathy, Attila; Zavorotny, Valery U.; Katzberg, Stephen J.

1999-01-01

Instrumentation and retrieval algorithms are described which use the forward, or bistatically scattered range-coded signals from the Global Positioning System (GPS) radio navigation system for the measurement of sea surface roughness. This roughness is known to be related directly to the surface wind speed. Experiments were conducted from aircraft along the TOPEX ground track, and over experimental surface truth buoys. These flights used a receiver capable of recording the cross correlation power in the reflected signal. The shape of this power distribution was then compared against analytical models derived from geometric optics. Two techniques for matching these functions were studied. The first recognized the most significant information content in the reflected signal is contained in the trailing edge slope of the waveform. The second attempted to match the complete shape of the waveform by approximating it as a series expansion and obtaining the nonlinear least squares estimate. Discussion is also presented on anomalies in the receiver operation and their identification and correction.

Radiative transfer modeling applied to sea water constituent determination. [Gulf of Mexico

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Faller, K. H.

1979-01-01

Optical radiation from the sea is influenced by pigments dissolved in the water and contained in discrete organisms suspended in the sea, and by pigmented and unpigmented inorganic and organic particles. The problem of extracting the information concerning these pigments and particulates from the optical properties of the sea is addressed and the properties which determine characteristics of the radiation that a remote sensor will detect and measure are considered. The results of the application of the volume scattering function model to the data collected in the Gulf of Mexico and its environs indicate that the size distribution of the concentrations of particles found in the sea can be predicted from measurements of the volume scattering function. Furthermore, with the volume scattering function model and knowledge of the absorption spectra of dissolved pigments, the radiative transfer model can compute a distribution of particle sizes and indices of refraction and concentration of dissolved pigments that give an upwelling light spectrum that closely matches measurements of that spectrum at sea.

Backscattering from a two-scale rough surface with application to radar sea return

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chan, H. L.; Fung, A. K.

1973-01-01

A two-scale composite surface scattering theory was developed without using the noncoherent assumption. The surface is assumed electrically homogeneous and finitely conducting; the surface roughness may be nonuniform geometrically. The special forms of the terms for excluding the non-coherent assumption and the meanings of these terms are discussed. To gain insight into the mechanisms of backscattering, the results are compared with those obtained by previous theories. The comparison with NRL data shows satisfactory agreement for both horizontal and vertical polarization, especially for incident angles larger than 30 deg. For smaller incident angles, NASA/JSC data have been chosen for comparison and close agreement is again observed.

Observations of the marine environment from spaceborne side-looking real aperture radars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kalmykov, A. I.; Velichko, S. A.; Tsymbal, V. N.; Kuleshov, Yu. A.; Weinman, J. A.; Jurkevich, I.

1993-01-01

Real aperture, side looking X-band radars have been operated from the Soviet Cosmos-1500, -1602, -1766 and Ocean satellites since 1984. Wind velocities were inferred from sea surface radar scattering for speeds ranging from approximately 2 m/s to those of hurricane proportions. The wind speeds were within 10-20 percent of the measured in situ values, and the direction of the wind velocity agreed with in situ direction measurements within 20-50 deg. Various atmospheric mesoscale eddies and tropical cyclones were thus located, and their strengths were inferred from sea surface reflectivity measurements. Rain cells were observed over both land and sea with these spaceborne radars. Algorithms to retrieve rainfall rates from spaceborne radar measurements were also developed. Spaceborne radars have been used to monitor various marine hazards. For example, information derived from those radars was used to plan rescue operations of distressed ships trapped in sea ice. Icebergs have also been monitored, and oil spills were mapped. Tsunamis produced by underwater earthquakes were also observed from space by the radars on the Cosmos 1500 series of satellites. The Cosmos-1500 satellite series have provided all weather radar imagery of the earths surface to a user community in real time by means of a 137.4 MHz Automatic Picture Transmission channel. This feature enabled the radar information to be used in direct support of Soviet polar maritime activities.

Global Mapping of Underwater UV Irradiances and DNA-Weighted Exposures using TOMS and SeaWiFS Data Products

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vasilkov, Alexander; Krotkov, Nickolay; Herman, Jay; McClain, Charles; Arrigo, Kevin; Robinson, Wayne

1999-01-01

The global stratospheric ozone-layer depletion results In an increase in biologically harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation reaching the surface and penetrating to ecologically significant depths in natural waters. Such an increase can be estimated on a global scale by combining satellite estimates of UV irradiance at the ocean surface from the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) satellite instrument with the SeaWIFS satellite ocean-color measurements in the visible spectral region. In this paper we propose a model of seawater optical properties in the UV spectral region based on the Case I water model in the visible range. The inputs to the model are standard monthly SeaWiFS products: chlorophyll concentration and the diffuse attenuation coefficient at 490nm. Penetration of solar UV radiation to different depths in open ocean waters is calculated using the RT (radiative transfer) quasi-single scattering approximation (QSSA). The accuracy of the QSSA approximation in the water is tested using more accurate codes. The sensitivity study of the underwater UV irradiance to atmospheric and oceanic optical properties have shown that the main environmental parameters controlling the absolute levels of the UVB (280-320nm) and DNA-weighted irradiance underwater are: solar-zenith angle, cloud transmittance, water optical properties, and total ozone. Weekly maps of underwater UV irradiance and DNA-weighted exposure are calculated using monthly-mean SeaWiFS chlorophyll and diffuse attenuation coefficient products, daily SeaWiFS cloud fraction data, and the TOMS-derived surface UV irradiance daily maps. The final products include global maps of weekly-average UVB irradiance and DNA-weighted daily exposures at 3m and 10m, and depths where the UVB irradiance and DNA-weighted dose rate at local noon are equal to 10% of their surface values.

SJL-1, a C-type lectin, acts as a surface defense molecule in Japanese sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus.

PubMed

Ono, Keisuke; Suzuki, Takuya Alan; Toyoshima, Youichi; Suzuki, Tomoya; Tsutsui, Shigeyuki; Odaka, Tomoyuki; Miyadai, Toshiaki; Nakamura, Osamu

2018-05-01

The surface defense molecules of aquatic invertebrates against infectious microorganisms have remained largely unexplored. In the present study, hemagglutinins were isolated from an extract of body surface layer of Japanese sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus, by affinity chromatography with fixed rabbit erythrocyte membranes. The N-terminal sequence of a 15-kDa agglutinin was almost identical with that of SJL-1, a C-type lectin formerly identified in this species. Because cDNA sequence and tissue distribution of SJL-1 have not been reported, we performed cDNA sequencing, gene expression analysis, and western blotting and immunohistochemical evaluation with anti-recombinant SJL-1 (rSJL-1) antibodies. The hemagglutinin gene was transcribed mainly in the integument, tentacles, and respiratory tree. Western blotting revealed that SJL-I is present in a body surface rinse, indicating that SJL-1 is secreted onto the body surface. SJL-1-positive cells scattered beneath the outermost layer of the integument were detected by immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, rSJL-1 agglutinated Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and yeast. These results indicate that SJL-1 acts as a surface defense molecule in A. japonicus. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Springtime microwave emissivity changes in the southern Kara Sea

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Crane, Robert G.; Anderson, Mark R.

1994-01-01

Springtime microwave brightness temperatures over first-year ice are examined for the southern Kara Sea. Snow emissivity changes are revealed by episodic drops in the 37- to 18-GHz brightness temperature gradient ratio measured by the Nimbus 7 scanning multichannel microwave radiometer. We suggest that the negative gradient ratios in spring 1982 result from increased scatter at 37 GHz due to the formation of a near-surface hoar layer. This interpretation is supported by the results of a surface radiation balance model that shows the melt signature occurring at below freezing temperatures but under clear-sky conditions with increased solar input to the surface. Published observations from the Greenland ice cap show a surface hoar layer forming under similar atmospheric conditions owing to the increased penetration and absorption of solar radiation just below the surface layer. In spring/early summer 1984 similar gradient ratio signatures occur. They appear to be due to several days of freeze-thaw cycling following the movement of a low-pressure system through the region. These changes in surface emissivity represent the transition from winter to summer conditions (as defined by the microwave response) and are shown to be regional in extent and to vary with the synoptic circulations.

Columnar aerosol properties over oceans by combining surface and aircraft measurements: sensitivity analysis.

PubMed

Zhang, T; Gordon, H R

1997-04-20

We report a sensitivity analysis for the algorithm presented by Gordon and Zhang [Appl. Opt. 34, 5552 (1995)] for inverting the radiance exiting the top and bottom of the atmosphere to yield the aerosol-scattering phase function [P(?)] and single-scattering albedo (omega(0)). The study of the algorithm's sensitivity to radiometric calibration errors, mean-zero instrument noise, sea-surface roughness, the curvature of the Earth's atmosphere, the polarization of the light field, and incorrect assumptions regarding the vertical structure of the atmosphere, indicates that the retrieved omega(0) has excellent stability even for very large values (~2) of the aerosol optical thickness; however, the error in the retrieved P(?) strongly depends on the measurement error and on the assumptions made in the retrieval algorithm. The retrieved phase functions in the blue are usually poor compared with those in the near infrared.

Permittivity estimation over Mars by using SHARAD data: the Cerberus Palus area

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alberti, Giovanni; Castaldo, Luigi; Orosei, Roberto; Frigeri, Alessandro; Cirillo, Giuseppe

2012-09-01

Cerberus Palus is a thoroughly studied region of Mars, characterized by evident platy textures that were interpreted either as evidence for a frozen sea close to Mars' equator or as being resultant of lava, mud or ice-flows coming from Cerberus Fossae through Athabasca Valles. Radargrams provided by radar sounder SHARAD clearly show the presence of subsurface layers in the area. By exploiting the great amount of available data, authors have performed an accurate quantitative analysis aimed to estimate electromagnetic properties of surface and subsurface layers, in terms of permittivity and attenuation. To this aim, a simplified electromagnetic approach has been used, but taking into account effects of scattering due to surface roughness, for avoiding overestimated results. This has been done by using theory of electromagnetic scattering from fractal surfaces and by estimating needed parameters from topographic data provided by MOLA. Three distinct geologic formations have been analyzed, namely a part of Zephyria Planum, the Cerberus plains and the bedrock beneath the plains. The retrieved electromagnetic parameters have been also modeled as a mixture of volcanic rocks with either ice or air. The Zephyria Planum material was found to be significantly porous [50-60%] with an attenuation more likely compatible with empty pores. Ambiguous results were obtained for the plains material, being the resulting porosity high in both the cases of empty [40-50%] and of ice-filled [80%] pores. The obtained results do not allow for evidence of a frozen sea on Cerberus Palus area.

Sea Surface Slope Statistics for Intermediate and Shore Scale Ocean Waves Measured Using a Low-Altitude Aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vandemack, Douglas; Crawford, Tim; Dobosy, Ron; Elfouhaily, Tanos; Busalacchi, Antonio J. (Technical Monitor)

1999-01-01

Ocean surface remote sensing techniques often rely on scattering or emission linked to shorter- scale gravity-capillary ocean wavelets. However, it is increasingly apparent that slightly longer wavelengths of O(10 to 500 cm) are vital components in the robust sea surface description needed to link varied global remote sensing data sets. This paper describes a sensor suite developed to examine sea surface slope variations in the field using an aircraft flying at very low altitude (below 30 m) and will also provide preliminary measurements detailing changes in slope characteristics versus sea state and friction velocity. Two-dimensional surface slope is measured using simultaneous range measurements from three compact short-range laser altimeters mounted in an equilateral triangle arrangement with spacing of about 1 m. In addition, all three lasers provide independent wave elevation profiles after GPS-aided correction for aircraft altitude. Laser range precision is 1 cm rms while vertical motion correction is 15 cm rms. The measurements are made along-track at approximately 1 m intervals setting the spatial scale of the measurement to cover waves of intermediate to long scale. Products available for this array then include surface elevation, two-dimensional slope distribution, and the cross- and along-track 1-D slope distributions. To complement the laser, a down-looking mm-wave radar scatterometer is centered within the laser array to measure radar backscatter simultaneously with the laser slope. The radar's footprint is nominally 1 m in diameter. Near-vertical radar backscatter is inversely proportional to the small-scale surface slope variance and to the tilt of the underlying (laser-measured) surface facet. Together the laser and radar data provide information on wave roughness from the longest scales down to about 1 cm. These measurements are complemented by aircraft turbulence probe data that provides robust surface flux information.

On the Impact of Snow Salinity on CryoSat-2 First-Year Sea Ice Thickness Retrievals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nandan, V.; Yackel, J.; Geldsetzer, T.; Mahmud, M.

2017-12-01

European Space Agency's Ku-band altimeter CryoSat-2 (CS-2) has demonstrated its potential to provide extensive basin-scale spatial and temporal measurements of Arctic sea ice freeboard. It is assumed that CS-2 altimetric returns originate from the snow/sea ice interface (assumed to be the main scattering horizon). However, in newly formed thin ice ( 0.6 m) through to thick first-year sea ice (FYI) ( 2 m), upward wicking of brine into the snow cover from the underlying sea ice surface produces saline snow layers, especially in the bottom 6-8 cm of a snow cover. This in turn modifies the brine volume at/or near the snow/sea ice interface, altering the dielectric and scattering properties of the snow cover, leading to strong Ku-band microwave attenuation within the upper snow volume. Such significant reductions in Ku-band penetration may substantially affect CS-2 FYI freeboard retrievals. Therefore, the goal of this study is to evaluate a theoretical approach to estimate snow salinity induced uncertainty on CS-2 Arctic FYI freeboard measurements. Using the freeboard-to-thickness hydrostatic equilibrium equation, we quantify the error differences between the CS-2 FYI thickness, (assuming complete penetration of CS-2 radar signals to the snow/FYI interface), and the FYI thickness based on the modeled Ku-band main scattering horizon for different snow cover cases. We utilized naturally occurring saline and non-saline snow cover cases ranging between 6 cm to 32 cm from the Canadian Arctic, observed during late-winter from 1993 to 2017, on newly-formed ice ( 0.6 m), medium ( 1.5 m) and thick FYI ( 2 m). Our results suggest that irrespective of the thickness of the snow cover overlaying FYI, the thickness of brine-wetted snow layers and actual FYI freeboard strongly influence the amount with which CS-2 FYI freeboard estimates and thus thickness calculations are overestimated. This effect is accentuated for increasingly thicker saline snow covers overlaying newly-formed ice, which accounted to an overestimated FYI thickness by 250%, when compared to 80% overestimations on thinner saline snow covers, and the error reduces with increase in FYI thickness. Our study recommends the CS-2 sea ice community to add snow salinity as a potential error source, affecting CS-2 Arctic FYI freeboard and thickness retrievals.

A field study of the hemispherical directional reflectance factor and spectral albedo of dry snow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bourgeois, C. S.; Calanca, P.; Ohmura, A.

2006-10-01

Hemispherical directional reflectance factors (HDRF) were collected under solar zenith angles from 49° to 85°. The experimental site was the Greenland Summit Environmental Observatory (72°35'N, 34°30'W, 3203 m above sea level) where both the snow and the atmosphere are very clean. The observations were carried out for two prevailing snow surface types: a smooth surface with wind-broken small snow grains and a surface covered with rime causing a higher surface roughness. A specially designed Gonio-Spectrometer (wavelength range 350-1050 nm), was developed at the Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science and used to collect spectral HDRFs over the hemisphere. The angular step size was 15° in zenith and azimuth. The HDRFs showed strong variations ranging from 0.6 to 13, depending on the solar zenith angle. The HDRF distribution was nearly isotropic at noon. It varied with increasing solar zenith angle, resulting in a strong forward scattering peak. Smooth surfaces exhibited stronger forward scattering than surfaces covered with rime. At a solar zenith of 85°, an HDRF of ˜13 was observed in the forward scattering direction for λ=900 nm. Spectral albedos were calculated by interpolating the HDRF data sets on a 2° grid and integrating individual wavelengths. Spectral albedos showed variations depending on the solar illumination geometry and the snow surface properties. Broadband albedos were calculated by integration of the spectral albedos over all wavelengths. The broadband albedos derived from directional measurements reproduced the diurnal pattern measured with two back-to-back broadband pyranometers.

First Cassini Radio Science Bistatic Scattering Observation of Titan's Northern Seas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marouf, E. A.; Kliore, A. J.; Rappaport, N. J.; French, R. G.; Schinder, P. J.; Anabtawi, A.; Wong, K. K.; Armstrong, J. W.; Asmar, S. W.; Flasar, F. M.; Iess, L.; McGhee-French, C.; Nagy, A. F.; Tortora, P.; Barbinis, E.; Buccino, D.; Kahan, D. S.

2014-12-01

On May 17, 2014, the Cassini spacecraft completed its 101 flyby of Saturn's satellite Titan. Mirror-like (quasi-specular) reflections of radio signals transmitted by Cassini were observed on the Earth (bistatic scattering geometry). Three right circularly polarized (RCP) sinusoidal signals were transmitted (wavelength = 0.94, 3.6, and 13 cm). Both the RCP and LCP surface reflections were observed at the Canberra, Australia, complex of the NASA Deep Space Network. The signals probed the region extending from about (lat, long) = (79°N, 315°W) to about (74°N, 232°W). For the first time, two major Titan northern seas, the Ligeia Mare and the Kraken Mare, were probed. Clearly detectable RCP and LCP echo components were observed over both seas at all 3 wavelengths. The echoes were intermittent over the region in between the two seas. The echoes from the seas have narrowband spectra well modeled as pure sinusoids, suggesting very smooth surfaces over > ~1 cm scales. Over shorelines and river like channels the measured spectra reveal a second distinct broadband component, likely reflection from a rough bottom solid interface. Modeling the narrowband echo components as sinusoids, we estimate the RCP and LCP echo power profiles over the observation period. High resolution power profiles (several seconds time average; 0.2 to 2 km along the ground track) reveal remarkable structural detail. The statistical measurement uncertainty improves significantly when the resolution is degraded to about 1 m time average (3 to 30 km). Comparison of the 1 m power profiles with theoretical predictions computed assuming absent surface waves (negligible roughness) reveals excellent agreement with reflections from liquid hydrocarbons. The small statistical uncertainty promises to strongly constrain the liquid composition (ethane vs methane dominance). In principle, the measured RCP/LCP power ratio removes dependence on roughness and enables determination of the dielectric constant regardless if waves are present or not. A known dielectric constant then enables searching for potential presence of capillary and/or gravity waves based on effects on the absolute RCP and LCP echo power and on observed spectral bandwidth. A second bistatic observation of the Kraken Mare was completed on 06/18/14. A third is to be completed on 10/24/14.

A Combined EOF/Variational Approach for Mapping Radar-Derived Sea Surface Currents

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-01-13

characterized by specific structure of the artificial gaps introduced into the simulated data set assess the benefits of the gap-filling technique. These...15 minutes and 1-2 km respectively. However, the back-scattered HFR signals suffer from to numerous distortions of artificial and natural origin. As a...data because information on the spatial structure of the velocity field within the gap is implicitly drawn from the idealized covariance function

Short-Range Acoustic Propagation Using Mobile Transmitters Under Arctic Ice Cover

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-09-01

predict the surface water/ice scattering and absorptive effects on transmitted sound . In addition, sound speed variability by range (usually...receivers at ranges out to 10 kilometers. Sound speed profile data was also measured on site. Transmission loss models were created as a baseline at the...received sound level (on the level of 30 to 40 decibels) at the same range and depth but different directions. 14. SUBJECT TERMS Arctic, Beaufort Sea

Synthetic aperture radar images of ocean waves, theories of imaging physics and experimental tests

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vesecky, J. F.; Durden, S. L.; Smith, M. P.; Napolitano, D. A.

1984-01-01

The physical mechanism for the synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imaging of ocean waves is investigated through the use of analytical models. The models are tested by comparison with data sets from the SEASAT mission and airborne SAR's. Dominant ocean wavelengths from SAR estimates are biased towards longer wavelengths. The quasispecular scattering mechanism agrees with experimental data. The Doppler shift for ship wakes is that of the mean sea surface.

Coastal and rain-induced wind variability depicted by scatterometers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Portabella, M.; Lin, W.; Stoffelen, A.; Turiel, A.; Verhoef, A.; Verspeek, J.; Ballabrera, J.; Vogelzang, J.

2012-04-01

A detailed knowledge of local wind variability near the shore is very important since it strongly affects the weather and microclimate in coastal regions. Since coastal areas are densely populated and most activity at sea occurs near the shore, sea-surface wind field information is important for a number of applications. In the vicinity of land sea-breeze, wave fetch, katabatic and current effects are more likely than in the open ocean, thus enhancing air-sea interaction. Also very relevant for air-sea interaction are the rain-induced phenomena, such as downbursts and convergence. Relatively cold and dry air is effectively transported to the ocean surface and surface winds are enhanced. In general, both coastal and rain-induced wind variability are poorly resolved by Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models. Satellite real aperture radars (i.e., scatterometers) are known to provide accurate mesoscale (25-50 km resolution) sea surface wind field information used in a wide variety of applications. Nowadays, there are two operating scatterometers in orbit, i.e., the C-band Advanced Scatterometer (ASCAT) onboard Metop-A and the Ku-band scatterometer (OSCAT) onboard Oceansat-2. The EUMETSAT Ocean and Sea Ice Satellite Application Facility (OSI SAF) delivers several ASCAT level 2 wind products with 25 km and 12.5 km Wind Vector Cell (WVC) spacing, including a pre-operational coastal wind product as well as an OSCAT level 2 wind product with 50 km spacing in development status. Rain is known to both attenuate and scatter the microwave signal. In addition, there is a "splashing" effect. The roughness of the sea surface is increased because of splashing due to rain drops. The so-called "rain contamination" is larger for Ku-band scatterometer systems than for C-band systems. Moreover, the associated downdrafts lead to variable wind speeds and directions, further complicating the wind retrieval. The C-band ASCAT high resolution wind processing is validated under rainy conditions, using collocations with the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission's (TRMM) Microwave Imager (TMI) rain data, and the tropical moored buoy wind and precipitation data. It turns out that the effect of low and moderate rain appears mainly in increasing the wind variability near the surface and, unlike for Ku-band scatterometers, the rain rate itself does not appear clearly as a limiting factor in ASCAT wind quality. Moreover, the downburst patterns as observed by ASCAT are unique and have large implications for air-sea exchange. At the conference, the main progress in scatterometer wind data processing will be shown.

Surficial geology of the sea floor in Central Rhode Island Sound Southeast of Point Judith, Rhode Island

USGS Publications Warehouse

McMullen, K.Y.; Poppe, L.J.; Ackerman, S.D.; Blackwood, D.S.; Schaer, J.D.; Nadeau, M.A.; Wood, D.A.

2011-01-01

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are working together to study sea-floor environments off the northeast coast of the United States. During 2008, NOAA survey H11996 collected multibeam echosounder data in a 65-square kilometer area in central Rhode Island Sound, southeast of Point Judith, Rhode Island. During 2010, the USGS collected bottom photographs and sediment samples from 25 stations in this study area. The bathymetry, photography, and sediment data are used to interpret sea-floor features including scour depressions, sand waves, trawl marks, and dredge spoils. Scour depressions cover the bathymetric highs in much of the study area. Sand waves are located mostly in the southwest, and trawl marks tend to be in the northern regions. Dredge spoils are located at a disposal site in a bathymetric low in the western end of the study area. Most stations have a sea-floor surface of sand or silty sand, but eight of the stations have boulders to pea-sized gravel or gravelly sediment on the surface. Photographs show sandy areas typically have scattered burrows, shells, amphipod communities, and worm tubes. Boulders and cobbles are commonly overgrown with hydrozoans and anemones.

Specular reflection on Titan: Liquids in Kraken Mare

USGS Publications Warehouse

Stephan, Katrin; Jaumann, Ralf; Brown, Robert H.; Soderblom, Jason M.; Soderblom, Laurence A.; Barnes, Jason W.; Sotin, Christophe; Griffith, Caitlin A.; Kirk, Randolph L.; Baines, Kevin H.; Buratti, Bonnie J.; Clark, Roger N.; Lytle, Dyer M.; Nelson, Robert M.; Nicholson, Phillip D.

2010-01-01

After more than 50 close flybys of Titan by the Cassini spacecraft, it has become evident that features similar in morphology to terrestrial lakes and seas exist in Titan's polar regions. As Titan progresses into northern spring, the much more numerous and larger lakes and seas in the north-polar region suggested by Cassini RADAR data, are becoming directly illuminated for the first time since the arrival of the Cassini spacecraft. This allows the Cassini optical instruments to search for specular reflections to provide further confirmation that liquids are present in these evident lakes. On July 8, 2009 Cassini VIMS detected a specular reflection in the north-polar region of Titan associated with Kraken Mare, one of Titan's large, presumed seas, indicating the lake's surface is smooth and free of scatterers with respect to the wavelength of 5 μm, where VIMS detected the specular signal, strongly suggesting it is liquid.

Sea Oil Spill Detection Using Self-Similarity Parameter of Polarimetric SAR Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tong, S.; Chen, Q.; Liu, X.

2018-04-01

The ocean oil spills cause serious damage to the marine ecosystem. Polarimetric Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) is an important mean for oil spill detections on sea surface. The major challenge is how to distinguish oil slicks from look-alikes effectively. In this paper, a new parameter called self-similarity parameter, which is sensitive to the scattering mechanism of oil slicks, is introduced to identify oil slicks and reduce false alarm caused by look-alikes. Self-similarity parameter is small in oil slicks region and it is large in sea region or look-alikes region. So, this parameter can be used to detect oil slicks from look-alikes and water. In addition, evaluations and comparisons were conducted with one Radarsat-2 image and two SIR-C images. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the self-similarity parameter for oil spill detection.

Calculation model of the scattering polarization coherency matrix for a detection system of oil spills at sea.

PubMed

Xu, Jiang; Qian, Weixian; Chen, Qian; Zhou, Yang

2018-02-10

As a new analytical method to identify oil spills at sea, the main effect of a polarization measurement system is the scattering polarization information of different measured parts. To improve measurement accuracy, the scattering polarization characteristics of oil film and seawater were observed in this paper. A useful computational model, the scattering polarization coherency matrix (SPCM), was derived, which is a probabilistic mixture of the polarization coherency matrix. Combined with the Fresnel formula, the amplitude ratio and phase retardation were extracted to verify the scientific nature of the physical model. Experiments were performed, and the SPCM of the oil film and seawater were measured. In order to test the practicability of the model, we derived the degree of polarization from the SPCM and used it as the basis for identification of the actual oil spill at sea in the case of sunlight. Research indicated that the path of multiple scattering was in connection with the molecular structure and interactions of the medium. Under different measuring angles, the SPCM of the oil film and seawater have both differences and regularities; the experimental results indicate that it can be used for the rapid detection of an oil spill at sea, and the data are accurate and reliable.

AKNS eigenvalue spectrum for densely spaced envelope solitary waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Slunyaev, Alexey; Starobor, Alexey

2010-05-01

The problem of the influence of one envelope soliton to the discrete eigenvalues of the associated scattering problem for the other envelope soliton, which is situated close to the first one, is discussed. Envelope solitons are exact solutions of the integrable nonlinear Schrödinger equation (NLS). Their generalizations (taking into account the background nonlinear waves [1-4] or strongly nonlinear effects [5, 6]) are possible candidates to rogue waves in the ocean. The envelope solitary waves could be in principle detected in the stochastic wave field by approaches based on the Inverse Scattering Technique in terms of ‘unstable modes' (see [1-3]), or envelope solitons [7-8]. However, densely spaced intense groups influence the spectrum of the associated scattering problem, so that the solitary trains cannot be considered alone. Here we solve the initial-value problem exactly for some simplified configurations of the wave field, representing two closely placed intense wave groups, within the frameworks of the NLS equation by virtue of the solution of the AKNS system [9]. We show that the analogues of the level splitting and the tunneling effects, known in quantum physics, exist in the context of the NLS equation, and thus may be observed in application to sea waves [10]. These effects make the detecting of single solitary wave groups surrounded by other nonlinear wave groups difficult. [1]. A.L. Islas, C.M. Schober (2005) Predicting rogue waves in random oceanic sea states. Phys. Fluids 17, 031701-1-4. [2]. A.R. Osborne, M. Onorato, M. Serio (2005) Nonlinear Fourier analysis of deep-water random surface waves: Theoretical formulation and and experimental observations of rogue waves. 14th Aha Huliko's Winter Workshop, Honolulu, Hawaii. [3]. C.M. Schober, A. Calini (2008) Rogue waves in higher order nonlinear Schrödinger models. In: Extreme Waves (Eds.: E. Pelinovsky & C. Kharif), Springer. [4]. N. Akhmediev, A. Ankiewicz, M. Taki (2009) Waves that appear from nowhere and disappear without a trace. Phys. Lett. A 373, 675-678. [5]. A.I. Dyachenko, V.E. Zakharov (2008) On the formation of freak waves on the surface of deep water. JETP Lett. 88 (5), 307-311. [6]. A.V. Slunyaev (2009) Numerical simulation of "limiting" envelope solitons of gravity waves on deep water. JETP 109, 676-686. [7]. A. Slunyaev, E. Pelinovsky, and C. Guedes Soares (2005) Modeling freak waves from the North Sea. Appl. Ocean Res. 27, 12-22. [8]. A. Slunyaev (2006) Nonlinear analysis and simulations of measured freak wave time series. Eur. J. Mech. B / Fluids 25, 621-635. [9]. M.J. Ablowitz, D.J. Kaup, A.C. Newell, H. Segur (1974) The inverse scattering transform - Fourier analysis for nonlinear problems. Stud. Appl. Math. 53, 249-315. [10]. A.V. Starobor (2009) Interpretation of the inverse scattering data for the analysis of wave groups on water surface. Bachelor degree thesis. N. Novgorod State University, in Russian.

SWEAT: Snow Water Equivalent with AlTimetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Agten, Dries; Benninga, Harm-Jan; Diaz Schümmer, Carlos; Donnerer, Julia; Fischer, Georg; Henriksen, Marie; Hippert Ferrer, Alexandre; Jamali, Maryam; Marinaci, Stefano; Mould, Toby JD; Phelan, Liam; Rosker, Stephanie; Schrenker, Caroline; Schulze, Kerstin; Emanuel Telo Bordalo Monteiro, Jorge

2017-04-01

To study how the water cycle changes over time, satellite and airborne remote sensing missions are typically employed. Over the last 40 years of satellite missions, the measurement of true water inventories stored in sea and land ice within the cryosphere have been significantly hindered by uncertainties introduced by snow cover. Being able to determine the thickness of this snow cover would act to reduce such error, improving current estimations of hydrological and climate models, Earth's energy balance (albedo) calculations and flood predictions. Therefore, the target of the SWEAT (Snow Water Equivalent with AlTimetry) mission is to directly measure the surface Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) on sea and land ice within the polar regions above 60°and below -60° latitude. There are no other satellite missions currently capable of directly measuring SWE. In order to achieve this, the proposed mission will implement a novel combination of Ka- and Ku-band radioaltimeters (active microwave sensors), capable of penetrating into the snow microstructure. The Ka-band altimeter (λ ≈ 0.8 cm) provides a low maximum snow pack penetration depth of up to 20 cm for dry snow at 37 GHz, since the volume scattering of snow dominates over the scattering caused by the underlying ice surface. In contrast, the Ku-band altimeter (λ ≈ 2 cm) provides a high maximum snowpack penetration depth of up to 15 m in high latitudes regions with dry snow, as volume scattering is decreased by a factor of 55. The combined difference in Ka- and Ku-band signal penetration results will provide more accurate and direct determination of SWE. Therefore, the SWEAT mission aims to improve estimations of global SWE interpreted from passive microwave products, and improve the reliability of numerical snow and climate models.

The recovery of microwave scattering parameters from scatterometric measurements with special application to the sea

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Claassen, J. P.; Fung, A. K.

1975-01-01

As part of an effort to demonstrate the value of the microwave scatterometer as a remote sea wind sensor, the interaction between an arbitrarily polarized scatterometer antenna and a noncoherent distributive target was derived and applied to develop a measuring technique to recover all the scattering parameters. The results are helpful for specifying antenna polarization properties for accurate retrieval of the parameters not only for the sea but also for other distributive scenes.

Modelling of Singapore's topographic transformation based on DEMs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Tao; Belle, Iris; Hassler, Uta

2015-02-01

Singapore's topography has been heavily transformed by industrialization and urbanization processes. To investigate topographic changes and evaluate soil mass flows, historical topographic maps of 1924 and 2012 were employed, and basic topographic features were vectorized. Digital elevation models (DEMs) for the two years were reconstructed based on vector features. Corresponding slope maps, a surface difference map and a scatter plot of elevation changes were generated and used to quantify and categorize the nature of the topographic transformation. The surface difference map is aggregated into five main categories of changes: (1) areas without significant height changes, (2) lowered-down areas where hill ranges were cut down, (3) raised-up areas where valleys and swamps were filled in, (4) reclaimed areas from the sea, and (5) new water-covered areas. Considering spatial proximity and configurations of different types of changes, topographic transformation can be differentiated as either creating inland flat areas or reclaiming new land from the sea. Typical topographic changes are discussed in the context of Singapore's urbanization processes. The two slope maps and elevation histograms show that generally, the topographic surface of Singapore has become flatter and lower since 1924. More than 89% of height changes have happened within a range of 20 m and 95% have been below 40 m. Because of differences in land surveying and map drawing methods, uncertainties and inaccuracies inherent in the 1924 topographic maps are discussed in detail. In this work, a modified version of a traditional scatter plot is used to present height transformation patterns intuitively. This method of deriving categorical maps of topographical changes from a surface difference map can be used in similar studies to qualitatively interpret transformation. Slope maps and histograms were also used jointly to reveal additional patterns of topographic change.

Validation of Surface Bio-Optical Properties in the Gulf of Maine as a Means for Improving Satellite Primary Production Estimates. Chapter 4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Balch, William M.

2001-01-01

One of the greatest challenges in providing sea-truth data for various ocean color sensors is climatology. This is particularly true in the Gulf of Maine since it is cloudy and foggy more than it is clear; the climatology shows on average, about one in four to five days has clear skies with clear days slightly more frequent in the late summer and early fall. Our strategy has been to use a ship of opportunity where one has choice of the sampling days. This provides much better flexibility to sample during clear periods with good satellite coverage. Our Sensor Intercomparison and Merger for Biological and Interdisciplinary Oceanic Studies (SIMBIOS) contract has been to use the M/S Scotia Prince ferry as a ship of opportunity, running between Portland, Maine and Yarmouth, NS. Measurements include continuous, surface, along-track fluorescence, two independent measures of backscattering, total light scattering, absorption, beam attenuation, above-water remote sensing reflectance, calcite-dependent light scattering, temperature, and salinity. Expendable bathythermography (XBT) drops allow acquisition of vertical temperature information, useful for defining isopycnal slope, which affects primary production. These data are comparable to a previous program from early 1982, where a ship of opportunity program (SOOP) was run on the truck ferry, M/V Marine Evangeline, which ran along the same transect. These surface data were combined with satellite-derived sea surface temperature fields to examine the Maine coastal current. Unfortunately, this program stopped in 1982. The ongoing SIMBIOS results will dovetail nicely with the previous work (which also had Coastal Zone Color Scanner (CZCS) coverage) for looking at any long-term changes in the Gulf of Maine hydrography, bio-optics, and biogeochemistry.

Modeling COSMO-SkyMed measurements of precipitating clouds over the sea using simultaneous weather radar observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roberto, N.; Baldini, L.; Facheris, L.; Chandrasekar, V.

2014-07-01

Several satellite missions employing X-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) have been activated to provide high-resolution images of normalized radar cross-sections (NRCS) on land and ocean for numerous applications. Rainfall and wind affect the sea surface roughness and consequently the NRCS from the combined effects of corrugation due to impinging raindrops and surface wind. X-band frequencies are sensitive to precipitation: intense convective cells result in irregularly bright and dark patches in SAR images, masking changes in surface NRCS. Several works have modeled SAR images of intense precipitation over land; less adequately investigated is the precipitation effect over the sea surface. These images are analyzed in this study by modeling both the scattering and attenuation of radiation by hydrometeors in the rain cells and the NRCS surface changes using weather radar precipitation estimates as input. The reconstruction of X-band SAR returns in precipitating clouds is obtained by the joint utilization of volume reflectivity and attenuation, the latter estimated by coupling ground-based radar measurements and an electromagnetic model to predict the sea surface NRCS. Radar signatures of rain cells were investigated using X-band SAR images collected from the COSMO-SkyMed constellation of the Italian Space Agency. Two case studies were analyzed. The first occurred over the sea off the coast of Louisiana (USA) in summer 2010 with COSMO-SkyMed (CSK®) ScanSar mode monitoring of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Simultaneously, the NEXRAD S-band Doppler radar (KLIX) located in New Orleans was scanning the same portion of ocean. The second case study occurred in Liguria (Italy) on November 4, 2011, during an extraordinary flood event. The same events were observed by the Bric della Croce C-band dual polarization radar located close to Turin (Italy). The polarimetric capability of the ground radars utilized allows discrimination of the composition of the precipitation volume, in particular distinguishing ice from rain. Results shows that for space-borne SAR at X-band, effects due to precipitation on water surfaces can be modeled using coincident ground-based weather radar measurements.

Exact Rayleigh scattering calculations for use with the Nimbus-7 Coastal Zone Color Scanner.

PubMed

Gordon, H R; Brown, J W; Evans, R H

1988-03-01

For improved analysis of Coastal Zone Color Scanner (CZCS) imagery, the radiance reflected from a planeparallel atmosphere and flat sea surface in the absence of aerosols (Rayleigh radiance) has been computed with an exact multiple scattering code, i.e., including polarization. The results indicate that the single scattering approximation normally used to compute this radiance can cause errors of up to 5% for small and moderate solar zenith angles. At large solar zenith angles, such as encountered in the analysis of high-latitude imagery, the errors can become much larger, e.g.,>10% in the blue band. The single scattering error also varies along individual scan lines. Comparison with multiple scattering computations using scalar transfer theory, i.e., ignoring polarization, show that scalar theory can yield errors of approximately the same magnitude as single scattering when compared with exact computations at small to moderate values of the solar zenith angle. The exact computations can be easily incorporated into CZCS processing algorithms, and, for application to future instruments with higher radiometric sensitivity, a scheme is developed with which the effect of variations in the surface pressure could be easily and accurately included in the exact computation of the Rayleigh radiance. Direct application of these computations to CZCS imagery indicates that accurate atmospheric corrections can be made with solar zenith angles at least as large as 65 degrees and probably up to at least 70 degrees with a more sensitive instrument. This suggests that the new Rayleigh radiance algorithm should produce more consistent pigment retrievals, particularly at high latitudes.

Added value products for imaging remote sensing by processing actual GNSS reflectometry delay doppler maps

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schiavulli, Domenico; Frappart, Frédéric; Ramilien, Guillaume; Darrozes, José; Nunziata, Ferdinando; Migliaccio, Maurizio

2016-04-01

Global Navigation Satellite System Reflectometry (GNSS-R) is an innovative and promising tool for remote sensing. It is based on the exploitation of GNSS signals reflected off Earth's surface as signals of opportunity to infer geophysical information of the reflecting surface. The main advantages of GNSS-R with respect dedicated sensors are: the unprecedented spatial-temporal coverage due to the availability of a great amount of transmitting satellite, e.g. GPS, Galileo, Glonass, etc…, long term GNSS mission life and cost effectiveness. In fact only a simple receiver is needed. In the last years several works demonstrated the meaningful of this technique in several Earth Observation applications. All these applications presented results obtained by using a receiver mounted on an aircraft or on a fixed platform. Moreover, space borne missions have been launched or are planned: UK-DMC, TechDemoSat-1 (TDS-1), NASA CYGNSS, Geros ISS. Practically, GNSS-R can be seen as a bistatic radar system where the GNSS satellites continuously transmit the L-band all-weather night-and-day signals that are reflected off a surface, called Glistening Zone (GZ), and a receiver measures the scattered microwave signals in terms of Delay-Doppler maps (DDMs) or delay waveforms. These two products have been widely studied in the literature to extract compact parameters for different remote sensing applications. However, products measured in the Delay Doppler (DD) domain are not able to provide any spatial information of the scattering scene. This could represent a drawback for applications related to imaging remote sensing, e.g. target detection, sea/land and sea/ice transition, oil spill detection, etc…. To overcome these limitations some deconvolution techniques have been proposed in the state of the art aiming at the reconstruction of a radar image of the observed scene by processing the measured DDMs. These techniques have been tested on DDMs related to simulated marine scenario including areas with different wind speed, oil spill, non-homogeneous area and cyclone. In this work a deconvolution technique based on the 2-D Truncated Singular Value Decomposition (TSVD) approach is used to process, for the first time, a real DDM measured by the TDS-1 mission to generate a radar image of the observed scene. The considered DDMs are related to marine scenario including non-homogenous area, i.e. sea/land and sea/ice transition. These non-homogeneous area provide a strong scattering contribution in the DD domain but it is not possible to extract any other information by analyzing the DDM. In the other hand, after the 2-D TSVD technique application a radar image of the observed scenario is provided where the transition between sea and non-homogeneous elements is reconstructed and well located in the spatial domain. Finally, in this work we demonstrate the soundness of the proposed approach able to provide an added value product for imaging remote sensing to improve/complement dedicated sensors.

Simple aerosol correction technique based on the spectral relationships of the aerosol multiple-scattering reflectances for atmospheric correction over the oceans.

PubMed

Ahn, Jae-Hyun; Park, Young-Je; Kim, Wonkook; Lee, Boram

2016-12-26

An estimation of the aerosol multiple-scattering reflectance is an important part of the atmospheric correction procedure in satellite ocean color data processing. Most commonly, the utilization of two near-infrared (NIR) bands to estimate the aerosol optical properties has been adopted for the estimation of the effects of aerosols. Previously, the operational Geostationary Color Ocean Imager (GOCI) atmospheric correction scheme relies on a single-scattering reflectance ratio (SSE), which was developed for the processing of the Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) data to determine the appropriate aerosol models and their aerosol optical thicknesses. The scheme computes reflectance contributions (weighting factor) of candidate aerosol models in a single scattering domain then spectrally extrapolates the single-scattering aerosol reflectance from NIR to visible (VIS) bands using the SSE. However, it directly applies the weight value to all wavelengths in a multiple-scattering domain although the multiple-scattering aerosol reflectance has a non-linear relationship with the single-scattering reflectance and inter-band relationship of multiple scattering aerosol reflectances is non-linear. To avoid these issues, we propose an alternative scheme for estimating the aerosol reflectance that uses the spectral relationships in the aerosol multiple-scattering reflectance between different wavelengths (called SRAMS). The process directly calculates the multiple-scattering reflectance contributions in NIR with no residual errors for selected aerosol models. Then it spectrally extrapolates the reflectance contribution from NIR to visible bands for each selected model using the SRAMS. To assess the performance of the algorithm regarding the errors in the water reflectance at the surface or remote-sensing reflectance retrieval, we compared the SRAMS atmospheric correction results with the SSE atmospheric correction using both simulations and in situ match-ups with the GOCI data. From simulations, the mean errors for bands from 412 to 555 nm were 5.2% for the SRAMS scheme and 11.5% for SSE scheme in case-I waters. From in situ match-ups, 16.5% for the SRAMS scheme and 17.6% scheme for the SSE scheme in both case-I and case-II waters. Although we applied the SRAMS algorithm to the GOCI, it can be applied to other ocean color sensors which have two NIR wavelengths.

On Sea Ice Characterisation By Multi-Frequency SAR

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grahn, Jakob; Brekke, Camilla; Eltoft, Torbjorn; Holt, Benjamin

2013-12-01

By means of polarimetric target decomposition, quad-pol SAR data of sea ice is analysed at two frequency bands. In particular, the non negative eigenvalue decomposition (NNED) is applied on L- and C-band NASA/JPL AIR- SAR data acquired over the Beaufort sea in 2004. The de- composition separates the scattered radar signal into three types, dominated by double, volume and single bounce scattering respectively. Using ground truth derived from RADARSAT-1 and meteorological data, we investigate how the different frequency bands compare in terms of these scattering types. The ground truth contains multi year ice and three types of first year ice of different age and thickness. We find that C-band yields a higher scattered intensity in most ice and scattering types, as well as a more homogeneous intensity. L-band on the other hand yields more pronounced deformation features, such as ridges. The mean intensity contrast between the two thinnest ice types is highest in the double scattering component of C- band, although the contrast of the total signal is greater in L-band. This may indicate that the choice of polarimetric parameters is important for discriminating thin ice types.

Sea-urchin-like Fe3O4@C@Ag particles: an efficient SERS substrate for detection of organic pollutants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ye, Yingjie; Chen, Jin; Ding, Qianqian; Lin, Dongyue; Dong, Ronglu; Yang, Liangbao; Liu, Jinhuai

2013-06-01

Ag-coated sea-urchin-like Fe3O4@C core-shell particles can be synthesized by a facile one-step solvothermal method, followed by deposition of high-density Ag nanoparticles onto the carbon surface through an in situ growth process, respectively. The as-synthesized Ag-coated Fe3O4@C particles can be used as a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate holding reproducible properties under an external magnetic force. The magnetic function of the particles allows concentrating the composite particles into small spatial regions, which can be exploited to decrease the amount of material per analysis while improving its SERS detection limit. In contrast to the traditional SERS substrates, the present Fe3O4@C@Ag particles hold the advantages of enrichment of organic pollutants for improving SERS detection limit and recycled utilization.Ag-coated sea-urchin-like Fe3O4@C core-shell particles can be synthesized by a facile one-step solvothermal method, followed by deposition of high-density Ag nanoparticles onto the carbon surface through an in situ growth process, respectively. The as-synthesized Ag-coated Fe3O4@C particles can be used as a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate holding reproducible properties under an external magnetic force. The magnetic function of the particles allows concentrating the composite particles into small spatial regions, which can be exploited to decrease the amount of material per analysis while improving its SERS detection limit. In contrast to the traditional SERS substrates, the present Fe3O4@C@Ag particles hold the advantages of enrichment of organic pollutants for improving SERS detection limit and recycled utilization. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Additional XRD patterns and SEM images of Fe3O4@C particles, SERS spectra of 4-ATP and 4-MPY using Fe3O4@C@Ag particles as the active substrates, magnetic behaviour of Fe3O4@C and Fe3O4@C@Ag particles. See DOI: 10.1039/c3nr01273e

Absorption and Scattering of Aerosol measured onboard R/V Gisang1 over the Yellow Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Inae, K.; Lee, M.; Shin, B.; Ryoo, S.; Jung, J.; Kim, S. W.

2017-12-01

Absorption and scattering coefficient were measured onboard RV Gisang 1 over the Yellow Sea (covering 124° 127°E, 31° 38°N) during May June, 2016. BC concentration was analyzed at seven wavelengths (370, 470, 520, 590, 660, 880, and 950nm) every 1 minute by Aethalometer. Scattering coefficient was measured at three wavelengths (450, 550, and 750nm) every 5 minutes with Nephelometer. The mean absorption coefficient was 1.2 Mm-1 at 880nm and the mean scattering coefficient was 116Mm-1 at 550nm. Single scattering albedo(SSA) reached the maximum value of 3.0 at 700nm. The calculated mean scattering angstrom exponent(SAE) was 1.6 and absorbing angstrom exponent(AAE) was 1.1. The AAE and SAE were higher in aged Chinese plume.

Oil Slick Observation at Low Incidence Angles in Ku-Band

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Panfilova, M. A.; Karaev, V. Y.; Guo, Jie

2018-03-01

On the 20 April 2010 the oil platform Deep Water Horizon in the Gulf of Mexico suffered an explosion during the final phases of drilling an exploratory well. As a result, an oil film covered the sea surface area of several thousand square kilometers. In the present paper the data of the Ku-band Precipitation Radar, which operates at low incidence angles, were used to explore the oil spill event. The two-scale model of the scattering surface was used to describe radar backscatter from the sea surface. The algorithm for retrieval of normalized radar cross section at nadir and the total slope variance of large-scale waves compared to the wavelength of electromagnetic wave (22 mm) was developed for the Precipitation Radar swath. It is shown that measurements at low incidence angles can be used for oil spill detection. This is the first time that the dependence of mean square slope of large-scale waves on wind speed has been obtained for oil slicks from Ku-band data, and compared to mean square slope obtained by Cox and Munk from optical data.

Thin Ice Area Extraction in the Seasonal Sea Ice Zones of the Northern Hemisphere Using Modis Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hayashi, K.; Naoki, K.; Cho, K.

2018-04-01

Sea ice has an important role of reflecting the solar radiation back into space. However, once the sea ice area melts, the area starts to absorb the solar radiation which accelerates the global warming. This means that the trend of global warming is likely to be enhanced in sea ice areas. In this study, the authors have developed a method to extract thin ice area using reflectance data of MODIS onboard Terra and Aqua satellites of NASA. The reflectance of thin sea ice in the visible region is rather low. Moreover, since the surface of thin sea ice is likely to be wet, the reflectance of thin sea ice in the near infrared region is much lower than that of visible region. Considering these characteristics, the authors have developed a method to extract thin sea ice areas by using the reflectance data of MODIS (NASA MYD09 product, 2017) derived from MODIS L1B. By using the scatter plots of the reflectance of Band 1 (620 nm-670 nm) and Band 2 (841 nm-876 nm)) of MODIS, equations for extracting thin ice area were derived. By using those equations, most of the thin ice areas which could be recognized from MODIS images were well extracted in the seasonal sea ice zones in the Northern Hemisphere, namely the Sea of Okhotsk, the Bering Sea and the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. For some limited areas, Landsat-8 OLI images were also used for validation.

Chinese HJ-1C SAR And Its Wind Mapping Capability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Weigen; Chen, Fengfeng; Yang, Jingsong; Fu, Bin; Chen, Peng; Zhang, Chan

2010-04-01

Chinese Huan Jing (HJ)-1C synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite has been planed to be launched in 2010. HJ-1C satellite will fly in a sun-synchronous polar orbit of 500-km altitude. SAR will be the only sensor on board the satellite. It operates in S band with VV polarization. Its image mode has the incidence angles 25°and 47°at the near and far sides of the swath respectively. There are two selectable SAR modes of operation, which are fine resolution beams and standard beams respectively. The sea surface wind mapping capability of the SAR has been examined using M4S radar imaging model developed by Romeiser. The model is based on Bragg scattering theory in a composite surface model expansion. It accounts for contributions of the full ocean wave spectrum to the radar backscatter from ocean surface. The model reproduces absolute normalized radar cross section (NRCS) values for wide ranges of wind speeds. The model results of HJ-1C SAR have been compared with the model results of Envisat ASAR. It shows that HJ-1C SAR is as good as Envisat ASAR at sea surface wind mapping.

Optical Polarization in the Nearshore

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Holman, R.

2008-12-01

A recent addition to the suite of optical remote sensing methods that have been used to study nearshore processes is the use of imaging polarimetric cameras. Both the degree of polarization and the azimuth of polarized light contain information about the imaged surfaces from which light has been reflected or scattered. In 2007, a polarimetric Argus camera was installed atop the tower at Duck, NC. This talk will examine the various polarization signatures that can be exploited, including the potential for measuring the sea surface slope spectrum of nearshore surf zone waves, the slope of the foreshore beach, water content of foreshore sediments and bubble signatures of dissipating waves.

Sea surface mean square slope from Ku-band backscatter data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jackson, F. C.; Walton, W. T.; Hines, D. E.; Walter, B. A.; Peng, C. Y.

1992-01-01

A surface mean-square-slope parameter analysis is conducted for 14-GHz airborne radar altimeter near-nadir, quasi-specular backscatter data, which in raw form obtained by least-squares fitting of an optical scattering model to the return waveform show an approximately linear dependence over the 7-15 m/sec wind speed range. Slope data are used to draw inferences on the structure of the high-wavenumber portion of the spectrum. A directionally-integrated model height spectrum that encompasses wind speed-dependent k exp -5/2 and classical Phillips k exp -3 power laws subranges in the range of gravity waves is supported by the data.

[Design and experimentation of marine optical buoy].

PubMed

Yang, Yue-Zhong; Sun, Zhao-Hua; Cao, Wen-Xi; Li, Cai; Zhao, Jun; Zhou, Wen; Lu, Gui-Xin; Ke, Tian-Cun; Guo, Chao-Ying

2009-02-01

Marine optical buoy is of important value in terms of calibration and validation of ocean color remote sensing, scientific observation, coastal environment monitoring, etc. A marine optical buoy system was designed which consists of a main and a slave buoy. The system can measure the distribution of irradiance and radiance over the sea surface, in the layer near sea surface and in the euphotic zone synchronously, during which some other parameters are also acquired such as spectral absorption and scattering coefficients of the water column, the velocity and direction of the wind, and so on. The buoy was positioned by GPS. The low-power integrated PC104 computer was used as the control core to collect data automatically. The data and commands were real-timely transmitted by CDMA/GPRS wireless networks or by the maritime satellite. The coastal marine experimentation demonstrated that the buoy has small pitch and roll rates in high sea state conditions and thus can meet the needs of underwater radiometric measurements, the data collection and remote transmission are reliable, and the auto-operated anti-biofouling devices can ensure that the optical sensors work effectively for a period of several months.

Methods of satellite oceanography

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stewart, R. H.

1985-01-01

The theoretical basis for remote sensing measurements of climate and ocean dynamics is examined. Consideration is given to: the absorption of electromagnetic radiation in the atmosphere; scattering in the atmosphere; and satellite observations using visible light. Consideration is also given to: the theory of radio scatter from the sea; scatter of centimeter waves from the sea; and the theory of operation of synthetic aperture radars. Additional topics include: the coordinate systems of satellite orbits for oceanographic remote sensing applications; the operating features of the major U.S. satellite systems for viewing the ocean; and satellite altimetry.

Modelling radiative transfer through ponded first-year Arctic sea ice with a plane-parallel model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taskjelle, Torbjørn; Hudson, Stephen R.; Granskog, Mats A.; Hamre, Børge

2017-09-01

Under-ice irradiance measurements were done on ponded first-year pack ice along three transects during the ICE12 expedition north of Svalbard. Bulk transmittances (400-900 nm) were found to be on average 0.15-0.20 under bare ice, and 0.39-0.46 under ponded ice. Radiative transfer modelling was done with a plane-parallel model. While simulated transmittances deviate significantly from measured transmittances close to the edge of ponds, spatially averaged bulk transmittances agree well. That is, transect-average bulk transmittances, calculated using typical simulated transmittances for ponded and bare ice weighted by the fractional coverage of the two surface types, are in good agreement with the measured values. Radiative heating rates calculated from model output indicates that about 20 % of the incident solar energy is absorbed in bare ice, and 50 % in ponded ice (35 % in pond itself, 15 % in the underlying ice). This large difference is due to the highly scattering surface scattering layer (SSL) increasing the albedo of the bare ice.

A Survey of Scattering, Attenuation, and Size Spectra Studies of Bubble Layers and Plumes Beneath the Air-Sea Interface.

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-08-30

authors exploit the spatial resolution benefits of nonlinear bubble response (at the sum frequency) to the double frequency excitation by two...interaction method is the computational require- ment. Although exact runtimes for MIM are not given, and it apparently does have speed advantages over...Frequencies," J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 75(5), 1473-1477 (1984). (136] T.D.K. Ngoc, E.R. Franchi , and B.B. Adams, "Modeling of Ocean Surface Spectrum and

Retrieval of spectral aerosol optical thickness over land using ocean color sensors MERIS and SeaWiFS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

von Hoyningen-Huene, W.; Yoon, J.; Vountas, M.; Istomina, L. G.; Rohen, G.; Dinter, T.; Kokhanovsky, A. A.; Burrows, J. P.

2011-02-01

For the determination of aerosol optical thickness (AOT) Bremen AErosol Retrieval (BAER) has been developed. Method and main features on the aerosol retrieval are described together with validation and results. The retrieval separates the spectral aerosol reflectance from surface and Rayleigh path reflectance for the shortwave range of the measured spectrum of top-of-atmosphere reflectance for wavelength less than 0.670 μm. The advantage of MERIS (Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer on the Environmental Satellite - ENVISAT - of the European Space Agency - ESA) and SeaWiFS (Sea viewing Wide Field Sensor on OrbView-2 spacecraft) observations is the availability of several spectral channels in the blue and visible range enabling the spectral determination of AOT in 7 (or 6) channels (0.412-0.670 μm) and additionally channels in the NIR, which can be used to characterize the surface properties. A dynamical spectral surface reflectance model for different surface types is used to obtain the spectral surface reflectance for this separation. The normalized differential vegetation index (NDVI), taken from the satellite observations, is the model input. Further surface bi-directional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) is considered by the Raman-Pinty-Verstraete (RPV) model. Spectral AOT is obtained from aerosol reflectance using look-up-tables, obtained from radiative transfer calculations with given aerosol phase functions and single scattering albedos either from aerosol models, given by model package "optical properties of aerosol components" (OPAC) or from experimental campaigns. Validations of the obtained AOT retrieval results with data of Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) over Europe gave a preference for experimental phase functions derived from almucantar measurements. Finally long-term observations of SeaWiFS have been investigated for 11 year trends in AOT. Western European regions have negative trends with decreasing AOT with time. For the investigated Asian region increasing AOT have been found.

Status of vulnerable Cystoseira populations along the Italian infralittoral fringe, and relationships with environmental and anthropogenic variables.

PubMed

Mancuso, F P; Strain, E M A; Piccioni, E; De Clerck, O; Sarà, G; Airoldi, L

2018-04-01

We analyzed the occurrence and status of infralittoral fringe populations of Cystoseira spp. (Fucales) at thirteen rocky sites around the Italian coastline, and explored the relationships with relevant environmental and anthropogenic variables. We found Cystoseira populations at 11 sites: most were scattered and comprised monospecific stands of C. compressa, and only 6 sites also supported sparse specimens of either C. amentacea var. stricta or C. brachycarpa. Coastal human population density, Chlorophyll a seawater concentrations, sea surface temperature, annual range of sea surface temperature and wave fetch explained most of the variation of the status of C. compressa. We hypothesize a generally unhealthy state of the Italian Cystoseira infralittoral fringe populations and identify multiple co-occurring anthropogenic stressors as the likely drivers of these poor conditions. Extensive baseline monitoring is needed to describe how Cystoseira populations are changing, and implement a management framework for the conservation of these valuable but vulnerable habitats. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Thematic mapper research in the earth sciences: Small scale patches of suspended matter and phytoplankton in the Elbe River Estuary, German Bight and Tidal Flats

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Grassl, H.; Doerffer, R.; Fischer, J.; Brockmann, C.; Stoessel, M.

1987-01-01

A Thematic Mapper (TM) field experiment was followed by a data analysis to determine TM capabilities for analysis of suspended matter and phytoplankton. Factor analysis showed that suspended matter concentration, atmospheric scattering, and sea surface temperature can be retrieved as independent factors which determine the variation in the TM data over water areas. Spectral channels in the near infrared open the possibility of determining the Angstrom exponent better than for the coastal zone color scanner. The suspended matter distribution may then be calculated by the absolute radiance of channel 2 or 3 or the ratio of both. There is no indication of whether separation of chlorophyll is possible. The distribution of suspended matter and sea surface temperature can be observed with the expected fine structure. A good correlation between water depth and suspended matter distribution as found from ship data can now be analyzed for an entire area by the synoptic view of the TM scenes.

Sources of subsidence at the Salton Sea Geothermal Field

USGS Publications Warehouse

Barbour, Andrew J.; Evans, Eileen; Hickman, Stephen H.; Eneva, Mariana

2016-01-01

At the Salton Sea Geothermal Field (SSGF) in Southern California, surface deformation associated with geologic processes including sediment compaction, tectonic strain, and fault slip may be augmented by energy production activities. Separating the relative contributions from natural and anthropogenic sources is especially important at the SSGF, which sits at the apex of a complex tectonic transition zone connecting the southern San Andreas Fault with the Imperial Fault; but this has been a challenging task so far. Here we analyze vertical surface velocities obtained from the persistent scatterer InSAR method and find that two of the largest subsidence anomalies can be represented by a set of volumetric strain nuclei at depths comparable to geothermal well completion zones. In contrast, the rates needed to achieve an adequate fit to the magnitudes of subsidence are almost an order of magnitude greater than rates reported for annual changes in aggregate net-production volume, suggesting that the physical mechanism responsible for subsidence at the SSGF is a complicated interplay between natural and anthropogenic sources.

Hierarchically assembled Au microspheres and sea urchin-like architectures: formation mechanism and SERS study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Xiansong; Yang, Da-Peng; Huang, Peng; Li, Min; Li, Chao; Chen, Di; Cui, Daxiang

2012-11-01

The hierarchically assembled Au microspheres/sea urchin-like structures have been synthesized in aqueous solution at room temperature with and without proteins (bovine serum albumin, BSA) as mediators. The average diameter of an individual Au microsphere is 300-600 nm, which is composed of some compact nanoparticles with an average diameter of about 15 nm. Meanwhile, the sea urchin-like Au architecture exhibits an average diameter of 600-800 nm, which is made up of some nanopricks with an average length of 100-200 nm. These products are characterized by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electronic microscopy (TEM). It is found that the BSA and ascorbic acid (AA) have great effects on the morphology of the resulting products. Two different growth mechanisms are proposed. The study on surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) activities is also carried out between Au microspheres and Au sea urchin-like architectures. It is found that Au urchin-like architectures possess much higher SERS activity than the Au microspheres. Our work may shed light on the design and synthesis of hierarchically self-assembled 3D micro/nano-architectures for SERS, catalysis and biosensors.The hierarchically assembled Au microspheres/sea urchin-like structures have been synthesized in aqueous solution at room temperature with and without proteins (bovine serum albumin, BSA) as mediators. The average diameter of an individual Au microsphere is 300-600 nm, which is composed of some compact nanoparticles with an average diameter of about 15 nm. Meanwhile, the sea urchin-like Au architecture exhibits an average diameter of 600-800 nm, which is made up of some nanopricks with an average length of 100-200 nm. These products are characterized by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electronic microscopy (TEM). It is found that the BSA and ascorbic acid (AA) have great effects on the morphology of the resulting products. Two different growth mechanisms are proposed. The study on surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) activities is also carried out between Au microspheres and Au sea urchin-like architectures. It is found that Au urchin-like architectures possess much higher SERS activity than the Au microspheres. Our work may shed light on the design and synthesis of hierarchically self-assembled 3D micro/nano-architectures for SERS, catalysis and biosensors. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c2nr32405a

On the use of the earth resources technology satellite /LANDSAT-1/ in optical oceanography

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Maul, G. A.; Gordon, H. R.

1975-01-01

Observations of the Gulf Stream System in the Gulf of Mexico were obtained in synchronization with LANDSAT-1. Computer enhanced images, which are necessary to extract useful oceanic information, show that the current can be observed by color (diffuse radiance) or sea state (specular radiance) effects associated with the cyclonic boundary even in the absence of a surface thermal signature. The color effect relates to the spectral variations in the optical properties of the water and its suspended particles, and is studied by radiative transfer theory. Significant oceanic parameters identified are: the probability of forward scattering, and the ratio of scattering to total attenuation. Several spectra of upwelling diffuse light are computed as a function of the concentration of particles and yellow substance.

Estimates of the Spectral Aerosol Single Sea Scattering Albedo and Aerosol Radiative Effects during SAFARI 2000

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bergstrom, Robert W.; Pilewskie, Peter; Schmid, Beat; Russell, Philip B.

2003-01-01

Using measurements of the spectral solar radiative flux and optical depth for 2 days (24 August and 6 September 2000) during the SAFARI 2000 intensive field experiment and a detailed radiative transfer model, we estimate the spectral single scattering albedo of the aerosol layer. The single scattering albedo is similar on the 2 days even though the optical depth for the aerosol layer was quite different. The aerosol single scattering albedo was between 0.85 and 0.90 at 350 nm, decreasing to 0.6 in the near infrared. The magnitude and decrease with wavelength of the single scattering albedo are consistent with the absorption properties of small black carbon particles. We estimate the uncertainty in the single scattering albedo due to the uncertainty in the measured fractional absorption and optical depths. The uncertainty in the single scattering albedo is significantly less on the high-optical-depth day (6 September) than on the low-optical-depth day (24 August). On the high-optical-depth day, the uncertainty in the single scattering albedo is 0.02 in the midvisible whereas on the low-optical-depth day the uncertainty is 0.08 in the midvisible. On both days, the uncertainty becomes larger in the near infrared. We compute the radiative effect of the aerosol by comparing calculations with and without the aerosol. The effect at the top of the atmosphere (TOA) is to cool the atmosphere by 13 W/sq m on 24 August and 17 W/sq m on 6 September. The effect on the downward flux at the surface is a reduction of 57 W/sq m on 24 August and 200 W/sq m on 6 September. The aerosol effect on the downward flux at the surface is in good agreement with the results reported from the Indian Ocean Experiment (INDOEX).

An experimental study of microwave scattering from rain- and wind-roughened seas

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bliven, L. F.; Giovanangeli, J.-P.

1993-01-01

This paper investigates radar cross-section (RCS) characteristics of rain- and wind-roughened sea-surfaces. We conducted experiments in laboratory wind-wave tanks using artificial rain. The study includes light rain rates, light wind speeds, and combinations of these. A 36 Ghz scatterometer was operated at 30 deg incidence angle and with vertical polarization. RCS data were obtained not only with the scatterometer pointing up-wind but also as a function of azimuthal angle. We use a scatterometer rain and wind model SRWM-1, which relates the total average RCS in storms to the sum of the average RCS due to rain plus the average RCS due to wind. Implications of the study for operational monitoring of wind in rainy oceanic areas by satellite-borne instruments is discussed.

Instantaneous influence of dust storms on the optical scattering property of the ocean: a case study in the Yellow Sea, China.

PubMed

Chen, Shuguo; Zhang, Tinglu; Chen, Wenzhong; Shi, Jinhui; Hu, Lianbo; Song, Qingjun

2016-12-12

Asian dust storms originating from arid or semi-arid regions of China or her adjacent regions have important impact on the atmosphere and water composition, and ecological environment of the Eastern China Seas. This research used data collected in the middle of the South Yellow Sea, China, during a dust storm event from 23 April to 24 April 2006 to analyze the instantaneous influence of dust storms on optical scattering properties, which are closely related to particle characteristics. The analysis results showed that the dust storm had a remarkable influence on the optical scattering property in the upper mixed layer of water, and dust particles drily deposited from the dust storm with an aerosol optical depth of nearly 2.5 into the water could induce a 0.14 m^-1 change in the water optical scattering coefficient at 532 nm at the depth of 4 m. The duration of the instantaneous influence of the dust storm on the water optical scattering properties was short, and this influence disappeared rapidly within approximately 3 hours after the end of the dust storm.

Aerosol Optical Properties Measured Onboard the Ronald H. Brown During ACE Asia as a Function of Aerosol Chemical Composition and Source Region

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Quinn, P. K.; Coffman, D. J.; Bates, T. S.; Welton, E. J.; Covert, D. S.; Miller, T. L.; Johnson, J. E.; Maria, S.; Russell, L.; Arimoto, R.

2004-01-01

During the ACE Asia intensive field campaign conducted in the spring of 2001 aerosol properties were measured onboard the R/V Ronald H. Brown to study the effects of the Asian aerosol on atmospheric chemistry and climate in downwind regions. Aerosol properties measured in the marine boundary layer included chemical composition; number size distribution; and light scattering, hemispheric backscattering, and absorption coefficients. In addition, optical depth and vertical profiles of aerosol 180 deg backscatter were measured. Aerosol within the ACE Asia study region was found to be a complex mixture resulting from marine, pollution, volcanic, and dust sources. Presented here as a function of air mass source region are the mass fractions of the dominant aerosol chemical components, the fraction of the scattering measured at the surface due to each component, mass scattering efficiencies of the individual components, aerosol scattering and absorption coefficients, single scattering albedo, Angstrom exponents, optical depth, and vertical profiles of aerosol extinction. All results except aerosol optical depth and the vertical profiles of aerosol extinction are reported at a relative humidity of 55 +/- 5%. An over-determined data set was collected so that measured and calculated aerosol properties could be compared, internal consistency in the data set could be assessed, and sources of uncertainty could be identified. By taking into account non-sphericity of the dust aerosol, calculated and measured aerosol mass and scattering coefficients agreed within overall experimental uncertainties. Differences between measured and calculated aerosol absorption coefficients were not within reasonable uncertainty limits, however, and may indicate the inability of Mie theory and the assumption of internally mixed homogeneous spheres to predict absorption by the ACE Asia aerosol. Mass scattering efficiencies of non-sea salt sulfate aerosol, sea salt, submicron particulate organic matter, and dust found for the ACE Asia aerosol are comparable to values estimated for ACE 1, Aerosols99, and INDOEX. Unique to the ACE Asia aerosol was the large mass fractions of dust, the dominance of dust in controlling the aerosol optical properties, and the interaction of dust with soot aerosol.

The Submarine Volcano Eruption off El Hierro Island: Effects on the Scattering Migrant Biota and the Evolution of the Pelagic Communities

PubMed Central

Ariza, Alejandro; Kaartvedt, Stein; Røstad, Anders; Garijo, Juan Carlos; Arístegui, Javier; Fraile-Nuez, Eugenio; Hernández-León, Santiago

2014-01-01

The submarine volcano eruption off El Hierro Island (Canary Islands) on 10 October 2011 promoted dramatic perturbation of the water column leading to changes in the distribution of pelagic fauna. To study the response of the scattering biota, we combined acoustic data with hydrographic profiles and concurrent sea surface turbidity indexes from satellite imagery. We also monitored changes in the plankton and nekton communities through the eruptive and post-eruptive phases. Decrease of oxygen, acidification, rising temperature and deposition of chemicals in shallow waters resulted in a reduction of epipelagic stocks and a disruption of diel vertical migration (nocturnal ascent) of mesopelagic organisms. Furthermore, decreased light levels at depth caused by extinction in the volcanic plume resulted in a significant shallowing of the deep acoustic scattering layer. Once the eruption ceased, the distribution and abundances of the pelagic biota returned to baseline levels. There was no evidence of a volcano-induced bloom in the plankton community. PMID:25047077

The submarine volcano eruption off El Hierro Island: effects on the scattering migrant biota and the evolution of the pelagic communities.

PubMed

Ariza, Alejandro; Kaartvedt, Stein; Røstad, Anders; Garijo, Juan Carlos; Arístegui, Javier; Fraile-Nuez, Eugenio; Hernández-León, Santiago

2014-01-01

The submarine volcano eruption off El Hierro Island (Canary Islands) on 10 October 2011 promoted dramatic perturbation of the water column leading to changes in the distribution of pelagic fauna. To study the response of the scattering biota, we combined acoustic data with hydrographic profiles and concurrent sea surface turbidity indexes from satellite imagery. We also monitored changes in the plankton and nekton communities through the eruptive and post-eruptive phases. Decrease of oxygen, acidification, rising temperature and deposition of chemicals in shallow waters resulted in a reduction of epipelagic stocks and a disruption of diel vertical migration (nocturnal ascent) of mesopelagic organisms. Furthermore, decreased light levels at depth caused by extinction in the volcanic plume resulted in a significant shallowing of the deep acoustic scattering layer. Once the eruption ceased, the distribution and abundances of the pelagic biota returned to baseline levels. There was no evidence of a volcano-induced bloom in the plankton community.

Nonlinear scattering of acoustic waves by natural and artificially generated subsurface bubble layers in sea.

PubMed

Ostrovsky, Lev A; Sutin, Alexander M; Soustova, Irina A; Matveyev, Alexander L; Potapov, Andrey I; Kluzek, Zigmund

2003-02-01

The paper describes nonlinear effects due to a biharmonic acoustic signal scattering from air bubbles in the sea. The results of field experiments in a shallow sea are presented. Two waves radiated at frequencies 30 and 31-37 kHz generated backscattered signals at sum and difference frequencies in a bubble layer. A motorboat propeller was used to generate bubbles with different concentrations at different times, up to the return to the natural subsurface layer. Theoretical consideration is given for these effects. The experimental data are in a reasonably good agreement with theoretical predictions.

Bio-Optical Properties and Ocean Color Algorithms for Coastal Waters Influenced by the Mississippi River During a Cold Front Passage

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

D'Sa Eurico J.; Miller, Richard L.; DelCastillo, Carlos

2006-01-01

During the passage of a cold front in March 2002, bio-optical properties examined in coastal waters impacted by the Mississippi River indicated westward advective flows and increasing river discharge containing a larger nonalgal particle content contributed significantly to surface optical variability. A comparison of seasonal data from three cruises indicated spectral models of absorption and scattering to be generally consistent with other coastal environments, while their parameterization in terms of chlorophyll a concentration (Chl) showed seasonal variability. The exponential slope of the colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) averaged 0.0161 plus or minus 0.00054 per nanometer, and for nonalgal absorption it averaged 0.011 per nanometer with deviations from general trends observed due to anomalous water properties. Although the phytoplankton specific absorption coefficients varied over a wide range (0.02 to 0.1 square meters (mg Chl) sup -1)) being higher in offshore surface waters, values of phytoplankton absorption spectra at the SeaWiFS wavebands were highly correlated to modeled values. The normalized scattering spectral shapes and the mean spectrum were in agreement to observations in other coastal waters, while the backscattering ratios were on average lower in phytoplankton dominated surface waters (0.0101 plus or minus 0.002) and higher in near-bottom waters (0.0191 plus or minus 0.0045) with low Chl. Average percent differences in remote sensing reflectance R (sub rs) derived form modeled and in-eater radiometric measurements were highest in the blue wavebands (52%) and at sampling stations with a ore stratified water column. Estimates of Chl and CDOM absorption derived from SeaWiFS images generated using regional empirical algorithms were highly correlated to in situ data.

SNR and Standard Deviation of cGNSS-R and iGNSS-R Scatterometric Measurements.

PubMed

Alonso-Arroyo, Alberto; Querol, Jorge; Lopez-Martinez, Carlos; Zavorotny, Valery U; Park, Hyuk; Pascual, Daniel; Onrubia, Raul; Camps, Adriano

2017-01-19

This work addresses the accuracy of the Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS)-Reflectometry (GNSS-R) scatterometric measurements considering the presence of both coherent and incoherent scattered components, for both conventional GNSS-R (cGNSS-R) and interferometric GNSS-R (iGNSS-R) techniques. The coherent component is present for some type of surfaces, and it has been neglected until now because it vanishes for the sea surface scattering case. Taking into account the presence of both scattering components, the estimated Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) for both techniques is computed based on the detectability criterion, as it is done in conventional GNSS applications. The non-coherent averaging operation is considered from a general point of view, taking into account that thermal noise contributions can be reduced by an extra factor of 0.88 dB when using partially overlapped or partially correlated samples. After the SNRs are derived, the received waveform's peak variability is computed, which determines the system's capability to measure geophysical parameters. This theoretical derivations are applied to the United Kingdom (UK) TechDemoSat-1 (UK TDS-1) and to the future GNSS REflectometry, Radio Occultation and Scatterometry on board the International Space Station (ISS) (GEROS-ISS) scenarios, in order to estimate the expected scatterometric performance of both missions.

Applications of high-frequency radar

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Headrick, J. M.; Thomason, J. F.

1998-07-01

Efforts to extend radar range by an order of magnitude with use of the ionosphere as a virtual mirror started after the end of World War II. A number of HF radar programs were pursued, with long-range nuclear burst and missile launch detection demonstrated by 1956. Successful east coast radar aircraft detect and track tests extending across the Atlantic were conducted by 1961. The major obstacles to success, the large target-to-clutter ratio and low signal-to-noise ratio, were overcome with matched filter Doppler processing. To search the areas that a 2000 nautical mile (3700 km) radar can reach, very complex and high dynamic range processing is required. The spectacular advances in digital processing technology have made truly wide-area surveillance possible. Use of the surface attached wave over the oceans can enable HF radar to obtain modest extension of range beyond the horizon. The decameter wavelengths used by both skywave and surface wave radars require large physical antenna apertures, but they have unique capabilities for air and surface targets, many of which are of resonant scattering dimensions. Resonant scattering from the ocean permits sea state and direction estimation. Military and commercial applications of HF radar are in their infancy.

Snow depth of the Weddell and Bellingshausen sea ice covers from IceBridge surveys in 2010 and 2011: An examination

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kwok, R.; Maksym, T.

2014-07-01

We examine the snow radar data from the Weddell and Bellingshausen Seas acquired by eight IceBridge (OIB) flightlines in October of 2010 and 2011. In snow depth retrieval, the sidelobes from the stronger scattering snow-ice (s-i) interfaces could be misidentified as returns from the weaker air-snow (a-s) interfaces. In this paper, we first introduce a retrieval procedure that accounts for the structure of the radar system impulse response followed by a survey of the snow depths in the Weddell and Bellingshausen Seas. Limitations and potential biases in our approach are discussed. Differences between snow depth estimates from a repeat survey of one Weddell Sea track separated by 12 days, without accounting for variability due to ice motion, is -0.7 ± 13.6 cm. Average snow depth is thicker in coastal northwestern Weddell and thins toward Cape Norvegia, a decrease of >30 cm. In the Bellingshausen, the thickest snow is found nearshore in both Octobers and is thickest next to the Abbot Ice Shelf. Snow depth is linearly related to freeboard when freeboards are low but diverge as the freeboard increases especially in the thicker/rougher ice of the western Weddell. We find correlations of 0.71-0.84 between snow depth and surface roughness suggesting preferential accumulation over deformed ice. Retrievals also seem to be related to radar backscatter through surface roughness. Snow depths reported here, generally higher than those from in situ records, suggest dissimilarities in sample populations. Implications of these differences on Antarctic sea ice thickness are discussed.

New Passive Instruments Developed for Ocean Monitoring at the Remote Sensing Lab—Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya

PubMed Central

Camps, Adriano; Bosch-Lluis, Xavier; Ramos-Perez, Isaac; Marchán-Hernández, Juan F.; Rodríguez, Nereida; Valencia, Enric; Tarongi, Jose M.; Aguasca, Albert; Acevo, René

2009-01-01

Lack of frequent and global observations from space is currently a limiting factor in many Earth Observation (EO) missions. Two potential techniques that have been proposed nowadays are: (1) the use of satellite constellations, and (2) the use of Global Navigation Satellite Signals (GNSS) as signals of opportunity (no transmitter required). Reflectometry using GNSS opportunity signals (GNSS-R) was originally proposed in 1993 by Martin-Neira (ESA-ESTEC) for altimetry applications, but later its use for wind speed determination has been proposed, and more recently to perform the sea state correction required in sea surface salinity retrievals by means of L-band microwave radiometry (TB). At present, two EO space-borne missions are currently planned to be launched in the near future: (1) ESA's SMOS mission, using a Y-shaped synthetic aperture radiometer, launch date November 2nd, 2009, and (2) NASA-CONAE AQUARIUS/SAC-D mission, using a three beam push-broom radiometer. In the SMOS mission, the multi-angle observation capabilities allow to simultaneously retrieve not only the surface salinity, but also the surface temperature and an “effective” wind speed that minimizes the differences between observations and models. In AQUARIUS, an L-band scatterometer measuring the radar backscatter (σ0) will be used to perform the necessary sea state corrections. However, none of these approaches are fully satisfactory, since the effective wind speed captures some sea surface roughness effects, at the expense of introducing another variable to be retrieved, and on the other hand the plots (TB-σ0) present a large scattering. In 2003, the Passive Advance Unit for ocean monitoring (PAU) project was proposed to the European Science Foundation in the frame of the EUropean Young Investigator Awards (EURYI) to test the feasibility of GNSS-R over the sea surface to make sea state measurements and perform the correction of the L-band brightness temperature. This paper: (1) provides an overview of the Physics of the L-band radiometric and GNSS reflectometric observations over the ocean, (2) describes the instrumentation that has been (is being) developed in the frame of the EURYI-funded PAU project, (3) the ground-based measurements carried out so far, and their interpretation in view of placing a GNSS-reflectometer as secondary payload in future SMOS follow-on missions. PMID:22303168

New passive instruments developed for ocean monitoring at the remote sensing lab-universitat politècnica de catalunya.

PubMed

Camps, Adriano; Bosch-Lluis, Xavier; Ramos-Perez, Isaac; Marchán-Hernández, Juan F; Rodríguez, Nereida; Valencia, Enric; Tarongi, Jose M; Aguasca, Albert; Acevo, René

2009-01-01

Lack of frequent and global observations from space is currently a limiting factor in many Earth Observation (EO) missions. Two potential techniques that have been proposed nowadays are: (1) the use of satellite constellations, and (2) the use of Global Navigation Satellite Signals (GNSS) as signals of opportunity (no transmitter required). Reflectometry using GNSS opportunity signals (GNSS-R) was originally proposed in 1993 by Martin-Neira (ESA-ESTEC) for altimetry applications, but later its use for wind speed determination has been proposed, and more recently to perform the sea state correction required in sea surface salinity retrievals by means of L-band microwave radiometry (T(B)). At present, two EO space-borne missions are currently planned to be launched in the near future: (1) ESA's SMOS mission, using a Y-shaped synthetic aperture radiometer, launch date November 2nd, 2009, and (2) NASA-CONAE AQUARIUS/SAC-D mission, using a three beam push-broom radiometer. In the SMOS mission, the multi-angle observation capabilities allow to simultaneously retrieve not only the surface salinity, but also the surface temperature and an "effective" wind speed that minimizes the differences between observations and models. In AQUARIUS, an L-band scatterometer measuring the radar backscatter (σ(0)) will be used to perform the necessary sea state corrections. However, none of these approaches are fully satisfactory, since the effective wind speed captures some sea surface roughness effects, at the expense of introducing another variable to be retrieved, and on the other hand the plots (T(B)-σ(0)) present a large scattering. In 2003, the Passive Advance Unit for ocean monitoring (PAU) project was proposed to the European Science Foundation in the frame of the EUropean Young Investigator Awards (EURYI) to test the feasibility of GNSS-R over the sea surface to make sea state measurements and perform the correction of the L-band brightness temperature. This paper: (1) provides an overview of the Physics of the L-band radiometric and GNSS reflectometric observations over the ocean, (2) describes the instrumentation that has been (is being) developed in the frame of the EURYI-funded PAU project, (3) the ground-based measurements carried out so far, and their interpretation in view of placing a GNSS-reflectometer as secondary payload in future SMOS follow-on missions.

Turbidity in the southern Irish Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bowers, D. G.; Gaffney, S.; White, M.; Bowyer, P.

2002-10-01

This paper presents new in situ optical and associated measurements from 85 stations in the central and southern Irish Sea. There is a strong linear relationship between the irradiance reflectance RA in the orange-red part of the spectrum (580-680 nm) and the diffuse attenuation coefficient, K, for white light: K=0.05+0.26 R A, where K is in m -1 and RA has been corrected to just above-surface reflectance and expressed as a percentage. The significance of this result is that this particular reflectance can be measured by the advanced very high resolution radiometer on board the NOAA series of satellites. In principle, therefore, cloud cover permitting, the transparency of the Irish Sea to sunlight, can be mapped from space. This result is shown to be consistent with a simple optical model in which light scattering is principally by mineral suspended solids, and light absorption is by water, mineral suspended solids and chlorophyll. Best fit between model and observations is achieved with a specific scattering coefficient of 0.5 m 2 g -1. The measurements were made during four cruises, at different times of year and across the range of turbidity found in the Irish Sea. The geographical distribution of suspended sediments confirms the presence, previously inferred from satellite imagery, of two separate turbidity maxima, one off Wicklow Head, the other off Anglesey. These correspond to the areas of strongest tidal currents. Yellow substance was found in highest concentration in a band along the Irish coast. Chlorophyll concentrations were generally low during these cruises. A residual problem is that a direct comparison of in situ reflectance and satellite measured reflectance possible on one of the cruises shows a serious discrepancy, although on average there appears to be a good agreement between satellite and in situ reflectance.

Sea surface temperature: Observations from geostationary satellites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bates, John J.; Smith, William L.

1985-11-01

A procedure is developed for estimating sea surface temperatures (SST) from multispectral image data acquired from the VISSR atmospheric sounder (VAS) on the geostationary GOES satellites. Theoretical regression equations for two and three infrared window channels are empirically tuned by using clear field of view satellite radiances matched with reports of SST from NOAA fixed environmental buoys from 1982. The empirical regression equations are then used to produce daily regional analyses of SST. The daily analyses are used to study the response of SST's to the passage of Hurricane Alicia (1983) and Hurricane Debbie (1982) and are also used as a first guess surface temperature in the retrieval of atmospheric temperature and moisture profiles over the oceanic regions. Monthly mean SST's for the western North Atlantic and the eastern equatorial Pacific during March and July 1982 were produced for use in the NASA/JPL SST intercomparison workshop series. Workshop results showed VAS SST's have a scatter of 0.8°-1.0°C and a slight warm bias with respect to the other measurements of SST. Subsequently, a second set of VAS/ buoy matches collected during 1983 and 1984 was used to produce a set of bias corrected regression relations for VAS.

Modeling the feedback between aerosol and boundary layer processes: a case study in Beijing, China.

PubMed

Miao, Yucong; Liu, Shuhua; Zheng, Yijia; Wang, Shu

2016-02-01

Rapid development has led to frequent haze in Beijing. With mountains and sea surrounding Beijing, the pollution is found to be influenced by the mountain-plain breeze and sea-land breeze in complex ways. Meanwhile, the presence of aerosols may affect the surface energy balance and impact these boundary layer (BL) processes. The effects of BL processes on aerosol pollution and the feedback between aerosol and BL processes are not yet clearly understood. Thus, the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry (WRF-Chem) is used to investigate the possible effects and feedbacks during a haze episode on 23 September 2011. Influenced by the onshore prevailing wind, sea-breeze, and upslope breeze, about 45% of surface particulate matter (PM)2.5 in Beijing are found to be contributed by its neighbor cities through regional transport. In the afternoon, the development of upslope breeze suppresses the growth of BL in Beijing by imposing a relatively low thermal stable layer above the BL, which exacerbates the pollution. Two kinds of feedback during the daytime are revealed as follows: (1) as the aerosols absorb and scatter the solar radiation, the surface net radiation and sensible heat flux are decreased, while BL temperature is increased, resulting in a more stable and shallower BL, which leads to a higher surface PM2.5 concentration in the morning and (2) in the afternoon, as the presence of aerosols increases the BL temperature over plains, the upslope breeze is weakened, and the boundary layer height (BLH) over Beijing is heightened, resulting in the decrease of the surface PM2.5 concentration there.

Estimation of wind stress using dual-frequency TOPEX data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Elfouhaily, Tanos; Vandemark, Douglas; Gourrion, Jéro‸me; Chapron, Bertrand

1998-10-01

The TOPEX/POSEIDON satellite carries the first dual-frequency radar altimeter. Monofrequency (Ku-band) algorithms are presently used to retrieve surface wind speed from the altimeter's radar cross-section measurement (σ0Ku). These algorithms work reasonably well, but it is also known that altimeter wind estimates can be contaminated by residual effects, such as sea state, embedded in the σ0Ku measurement. Investigating the potential benefit of using two frequencies for wind retrieval, it is shown that a simple evaluation of TOPEX data yields previously unavailable information, particularly for high and low wind speeds. As the wind speed increases, the dual-frequency data provides a measurement more directly linked to the short-scale surface roughness, which in turn is associated with the local surface wind stress. Using a global TOPEX σ0° data set and TOPEX's significant wave height (Hs) estimate as a surrogate for the sea state's degree of development, it is also shown that differences between the two TOPEX σ0 measurements strongly evidence nonlocal sea state signature. A composite scattering theory is used to show how the dual-frequency data can provide an improved friction velocity model, especially for winds above 7 m/s. A wind speed conversion is included using a sea state dependent drag coefficient fed with TOPEX Hs data. Two colocated TOPEX-buoy data sets (from the National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) and the Structure des Echanges Mer-Atmosphre, Proprietes des Heterogeneites Oceaniques: Recherche Expérimentale (SEMAPHORE) campaign) are employed to test the new wind speed algorithm. A measurable improvement in wind speed estimation is obtained when compared to the monofrequency Witter and Chelton [1991] model.

Assessment of Aerosol Optical Property and Radiative Effect for the Layer Decoupling Cases over the Northern South China Sea During the 7-SEAS Dongsha Experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pani, Shantau Kumar; Wang, Sheng-Hsiang; Lin, Neng-Huei; Tsay, Si-Chee; Lolli, Simone; Chuang, Ming-Tung; Lee, Chung-Te; Chantara, Somporn; Yu, Jin-Yi

2016-01-01

The aerosol radiative effect can be modulated by the vertical distribution and optical properties of aerosols, particularly when aerosol layers are decoupled. Direct aerosol radiative effects over the northern South China Sea (SCS) were assessed by incorporating an observed data set of aerosol optical properties obtained from the Seven South East Asian Studies (7-SEAS)/Dongsha Experiment into a radiative transfer model. Aerosol optical properties for a two-layer structure of aerosol transport were estimated. In the radiative transfer calculations, aerosol variability (i.e., diversity of source region, aerosol type, and vertical distribution) for the complex aerosol environment was also carefully quantified. The column-integrated aerosol optical depth (AOD) at 500nm was 0.1-0.3 for near-surface aerosols and increased 1-5 times in presence of upper layer biomass-burning aerosols. A case study showed the strong aerosol absorption (single-scattering albedo (omega) approx. = 0.92 at 440nm wavelength) exhibited by the upper layer when associated with predominantly biomass-burning aerosols, and the omega (approx. = 0.95) of near-surface aerosols was greater than that of the upper layer aerosols because of the presence of mixed type aerosols. The presence of upper level aerosol transport could enhance the radiative efficiency at the surface (i.e., cooling) and lower atmosphere (i.e., heating) by up to -13.7 and +9.6W/sq m2 per AOD, respectively. Such enhancement could potentially modify atmospheric stability, can influence atmospheric circulation, as well as the hydrological cycle over the tropical and low-latitude marginal northern SCS.

Assessment of aerosol optical property and radiative effect for the layer decoupling cases over the northern South China Sea during the 7-SEAS/Dongsha Experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pani, Shantanu Kumar; Wang, Sheng-Hsiang; Lin, Neng-Huei; Tsay, Si-Chee; Lolli, Simone; Chuang, Ming-Tung; Lee, Chung-Te; Chantara, Somporn; Yu, Jin-Yi

2016-05-01

The aerosol radiative effect can be modulated by the vertical distribution and optical properties of aerosols, particularly when aerosol layers are decoupled. Direct aerosol radiative effects over the northern South China Sea (SCS) were assessed by incorporating an observed data set of aerosol optical properties obtained from the Seven South East Asian Studies (7-SEAS)/Dongsha Experiment into a radiative transfer model. Aerosol optical properties for a two-layer structure of aerosol transport were estimated. In the radiative transfer calculations, aerosol variability (i.e., diversity of source region, aerosol type, and vertical distribution) for the complex aerosol environment was also carefully quantified. The column-integrated aerosol optical depth (AOD) at 500 nm was 0.1-0.3 for near-surface aerosols and increased 1-5 times in presence of upper layer biomass-burning aerosols. A case study showed the strong aerosol absorption (single-scattering albedo (ω) ≈ 0.92 at 440 nm wavelength) exhibited by the upper layer when associated with predominantly biomass-burning aerosols, and the ω (≈0.95) of near-surface aerosols was greater than that of the upper layer aerosols because of the presence of mixed type aerosols. The presence of upper level aerosol transport could enhance the radiative efficiency at the surface (i.e., cooling) and lower atmosphere (i.e., heating) by up to -13.7 and +9.6 W m-2 per AOD, respectively. Such enhancement could potentially modify atmospheric stability, can influence atmospheric circulation, as well as the hydrological cycle over the tropical and low-latitude marginal northern SCS.

Towards GPS Surface Reflection Remote Sensing of Sea Ice Conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Komjathy, A.; Maslanik, J. A.; Zavorotny, V. U.; Axelrad, P.; Katzberg, S. J.

2000-01-01

This paper describes the research to extend the application of Global Positioning System (GPS) signal reflections, received by airborne instruments, to cryospheric remote sensing. The characteristics of the GPS signals and equipment afford the possibility of new measurements not possible with existing radar and passive microwave systems. In particular, the GPS receiving systems are small and light-weight, and as such are particularly well suited to be deployed on small aircraft or satellite platforms with minimal impact. Our preliminary models and experimental results indicate that reflected GPS signals have potential to provide information on the presence and condition of sea and fresh-water ice as well as the freeze/thaw state of frozen ground. In this paper we show results from aircraft experiments over the ice pack near Barrow, Alaska suggesting correlation between forward scattered GPS returns and RADARSAT backscattered signals.

Investigating the generation of Love waves in secondary microseisms using 3D numerical simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wenk, Stefan; Hadziioannou, Celine; Pelties, Christian; Igel, Heiner

2014-05-01

Longuet-Higgins (1950) proposed that secondary microseismic noise can be attributed to oceanic disturbances by surface gravity wave interference causing non-linear, second-order pressure perturbations at the ocean bottom. As a first approximation, this source mechanism can be considered as a force acting normal to the ocean bottom. In an isotropic, layered, elastic Earth model with plain interfaces, vertical forces generate P-SV motions in the vertical plane of source and receiver. In turn, only Rayleigh waves are excited at the free surface. However, several authors report on significant Love wave contributions in the secondary microseismic frequency band of real data measurements. The reason is still insufficiently analysed and several hypothesis are under debate: - The source mechanism has strongest influence on the excitation of shear motions, whereas the source direction dominates the effect of Love wave generation in case of point force sources. Darbyshire and Okeke (1969) proposed the topographic coupling effect of pressure loads acting on a sloping sea-floor to generate the shear tractions required for Love wave excitation. - Rayleigh waves can be converted into Love waves by scattering. Therefore, geometric scattering at topographic features or internal scattering by heterogeneous material distributions can cause Love wave generation. - Oceanic disturbances act on large regions of the ocean bottom, and extended sources have to be considered. In combination with topographic coupling and internal scattering, the extent of the source region and the timing of an extended source should effect Love wave excitation. We try to elaborate the contribution of different source mechanisms and scattering effects on Love to Rayleigh wave energy ratios by 3D numerical simulations. In particular, we estimate the amount of Love wave energy generated by point and extended sources acting on the free surface. Simulated point forces are modified in their incident angle, whereas extended sources are adapted in their spatial extent, magnitude and timing. Further, the effect of variations in the correlation length and perturbation magnitude of a random free surface topography as well as an internal random material distribution are studied.

Bringing the Coastal Zone into Finer Focus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guild, L. S.; Hooker, S. B.; Kudela, R. M.; Morrow, J. H.; Torres-Perez, J. L.; Palacios, S. L.; Negrey, K.; Dungan, J. L.

2015-12-01

Measurements over extents from submeter to 10s of meters are critical science requirements for the design and integration of remote sensing instruments for coastal zone research. Various coastal ocean phenomena operate at different scales (e.g. meters to kilometers). For example, river plumes and algal blooms have typical extents of 10s of meters and therefore can be resolved with satellite data, however, shallow benthic ecosystem (e.g., coral, seagrass, and kelp) biodiversity and change are best studied at resolutions of submeter to meter, below the pixel size of typical satellite products. The delineation of natural phenomena do not fit nicely into gridded pixels and the coastal zone is complicated by mixed pixels at the land-sea interface with a range of bio-optical signals from terrestrial and water components. In many standard satellite products, these coastal mixed pixels are masked out because they confound algorithms for the ocean color parameter suite. In order to obtain data at the land/sea interface, finer spatial resolution satellite data can be achieved yet spectral resolution is sacrificed. This remote sensing resolution challenge thwarts the advancement of research in the coastal zone. Further, remote sensing of benthic ecosystems and shallow sub-surface phenomena are challenged by the requirements to sense through the sea surface and through a water column with varying light conditions from the open ocean to the water's edge. For coastal waters, >80% of the remote sensing signal is scattered/absorbed due to the atmospheric constituents, sun glint from the sea surface, and water column components. In addition to in-water measurements from various platforms (e.g., ship, glider, mooring, and divers), low altitude aircraft outfitted with high quality bio-optical radiometer sensors and targeted channels matched with in-water sensors and higher altitude platform sensors for ocean color products, bridge the sea-truth measurements to the pixels acquired from satellite and high altitude platforms. We highlight a novel NASA airborne calibration, validation, and research capability for addressing the coastal remote sensing resolution challenge.

Hierarchically assembled Au microspheres and sea urchin-like architectures: formation mechanism and SERS study.

PubMed

Wang, Xiansong; Yang, Da-Peng; Huang, Peng; Li, Min; Li, Chao; Chen, Di; Cui, Daxiang

2012-12-21

The hierarchically assembled Au microspheres/sea urchin-like structures have been synthesized in aqueous solution at room temperature with and without proteins (bovine serum albumin, BSA) as mediators. The average diameter of an individual Au microsphere is 300-600 nm, which is composed of some compact nanoparticles with an average diameter of about 15 nm. Meanwhile, the sea urchin-like Au architecture exhibits an average diameter of 600-800 nm, which is made up of some nanopricks with an average length of 100-200 nm. These products are characterized by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electronic microscopy (TEM). It is found that the BSA and ascorbic acid (AA) have great effects on the morphology of the resulting products. Two different growth mechanisms are proposed. The study on surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) activities is also carried out between Au microspheres and Au sea urchin-like architectures. It is found that Au urchin-like architectures possess much higher SERS activity than the Au microspheres. Our work may shed light on the design and synthesis of hierarchically self-assembled 3D micro/nano-architectures for SERS, catalysis and biosensors.

Aptian-Albian sea level history from Guyots in the western Pacific

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

RöHl, Ursula; Ogg, James G.

1996-10-01

Relative sea level fluctuations are an important control on patterns of sedimentation on continental margins and provide a valuable tool for regional correlations. One of the main objectives of combined Ocean Drilling Program Legs 143 and 144 was drilling the thick carbonate caps of a suite of seamounts, called guyots, scattered over the northwestern Pacific. The array of drowned Cretaceous banks includes four carbonate banks of Aptian-Albian age. These particular carbonate banks display emergent surfaces if regional sea level falls faster than the rate of guyot subsidence, or intervals of condensed parasequences and well-cemented peritidal crypto-algal flats if the rate of sea level fall is slightly less than guyot subsidence. Rapid rises of sea level following these sequence boundaries are recorded as drowning of the emergent horizons or as pronounced deepening of facies. The cored lithologies and downhole geophysical and geochemical logs were used to identify depositional sequences and surfaces of exceptional shallowing or deepening. A combination of biostratigraphic datums, carbon and strontium isotope curves, relative magnitude of surfaces of emergence, relative thicknesses of depositional sequences, sea level events, and counts of upward shallowing cycles or parasequences were used to correlate sequences among the four sites. After compensating for thermal subsidence rates at each guyot, an identical pattern of major Aptian-Albian eustatic sea level events is evident throughout this large portion of the Pacific Ocean. There are approximately 12 Aptian and 12 Albian significant sequence boundaries, of which a third were associated with major episodes of emergence. When these events are compared with Aptian-Albian relative sea level changes observed in European shelf successions, the major sequence boundaries and transgressive surges can be easily correlated, and it appears that both regions also display the same number of minor events. Therefore we can apply the relative timing of these events from the thermal subsidence rates and parasequence counts of the Pacific banks to construct an improved scaling of the associated ammonite zones and biostratigraphic datums in the Aptian-Albian interval. An electronic supplement of this material may be obtained on adiskette or via Anonymous FTP from KOSMOS.AGU.ORG (LOGINto AGU's FTP account using ANONYMOUS as the username andGUEST as the password. Go to the right directory by typing APEND.Diskette may be ordered from American Geophysical Union, 2000Florida Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009, $15.00. Payment mustaccompany order.

Visualizing characteristics of ocean data collected during the Shuttle Imaging Radar-B experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tilley, David G.

1991-01-01

Topographic measurements of sea surface elevation collected by the Surface Contour Radar (SCR) during NASA's Shuttle Imaging Radar (SIR-B) experiment are plotted as three dimensional surface plots to observe wave height variance along the track of a P-3 aircraft. Ocean wave spectra were computed from rotating altimeter measurements acquired by the Radar Ocean Wave Spectrometer (ROWS). Fourier power spectra computed from SIR-B synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images of the ocean are compared to ROWS surface wave spectra. Fourier inversion of SAR spectra, after subtraction of spectral noise and modeling of wave height modulation, yields topography similar to direct measurements made by SCR. Visual perspectives on the SCR and SAR ocean data are compared. Threshold distinctions between surface elevation and texture modulations of SAR data are considered within the context of a dynamic statistical model of rough surface scattering. The result of these endeavors is insight as to the physical mechanism governing the imaging of ocean waves with SAR.

Dust Modeling with GEOS-Chem: Evidence for Acidic Uptake on Dust Surfaces during INTEX-B

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fairlie, T. Duncan

2007-01-01

We use measurements of aerosol ion composition and size made from the DC8 aircraft during the 2006 INTEX-B airborne campaign to identify mineral dust signatures, and look for evidence for interaction of dust with acidic components. Coating of dust with sulfate or nitrate favors the role of dust particles as cloud condensation nucleii, can promote further uptake of SO2 and N2O5, can impact NOx/HNO3 partitioning, and can shift sulfate or nitrate towards larger sizes, affecting atmospheric lifetimes for both aerosol and gas components. Mineral dust had a pervasive presence on flights made during the Northern Pacific deployment of the INTEX-B mission. We use scatter plots of ion mixing ratios with Na+ and Ca(2+) to distinguish sea salt and mineral components of the aerosol distribution, respectively. Positive correlations of non-sea-salt sulfate and nitrate with calcium indicate that the dusty air stream is associated with polluted air masses. Sulfate-ammonium scatter plots indicate sulfate to be primarily in the form of (NH4)2SO4. A positive correlation between Ca(2+) and NO-, but little evidence of NH4NO3, suggests that NO3- may be associated with mineral dust surfaces. 3-d model simulations conducted with the GEOS-Chem chemical transport model indicate that transpacific transport from East Asia was principally responsible for the dust observed from the aircraft over the Pacific. We compare the aerosol component relationships in the model with those observed. Uptake of sulfate and nitrate on the dust is not yet represented in the model.

Life history of the deep-sea cephalopod family Histioteuthidae in the western Mediterranean

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Quetglas, Antoni; de Mesa, Aina; Ordines, Francesc; Grau, Amàlia

2010-08-01

The life cycle of the two species of the deep-sea family Histioteuthidae inhabiting the Mediterranean Sea ( Histioteuthis reversa and Histioteuthis bonnellii) was studied from monthly samples taken throughout the year during daytime hours by bottom trawl gears. A small sample of individuals found floating dead on the sea surface was also analyzed. Both species were caught exclusively on the upper slope at depths greater than 300 m. Their frequency of occurrence increased with depth and showed two different peaks, at 500-600 m and 600-700 m depth in H. bonnellii and H. reversa, respectively, which might indicate spatial segregation. Maturity stages were assigned using macroscopic determination and confirmed with histological analyses. Although mature males were caught all year round, no mature females were found, which suggests that their sexual maturation in the western Mediterranean takes place deeper than the maximum depth sampled (800 m). In fact, the increase in mean squid size with increasing depth in H. reversa indicates an ontogenetic migration to deeper waters. The individuals of both species found floating dead on the sea surface were spent females which had a relatively large cluster of small atresic eggs and a small number of remaining mature eggs scattered in the ovary and mantle cavity. The sizes of these females were clearly larger than the largest individuals caught with bottom trawls. A total of 12 and 7 different types of prey, belonging to three major taxonomic groups (crustaceans, osteichthyes and cephalopods), were identified in the stomach contents of H. reversa and H. bonnellii, respectively. In both species fishes were by far the main prey followed by crustaceans, whereas cephalopods were found only occasionally. The preys identified, mainly myctophids and natantian crustaceans, indicate that both histioteuthids base their diet on pelagic nictemeral migrators.

Mapping of sound scattering objects in the northern part of the Barents Sea and their geological interpretation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sokolov, S. Yu.; Moroz, E. A.; Abramova, A. S.; Zarayskaya, Yu. A.; Dobrolubova, K. O.

2017-07-01

On cruises 25 (2007) and 28 (2011) of the R/V Akademik Nikolai Strakhov in the northern part of the Barents Sea, the Geological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, conducted comprehensive research on the bottom relief and upper part of the sedimentary cover profile under the auspices of the International Polar Year program. One of the instrument components was the SeaBat 8111 shallow-water multibeam echo sounder, which can map the acoustic field similarly to a side scan sonar, which records the response both from the bottom and from the water column. In the operations area, intense sound scattering objects produced by the discharge of deep fluid flows are detected in the water column. The sound scattering objects and pockmarks in the bottom relief are related to anomalies in hydrocarbon gas concentrations in bottom sediments. The sound scattering objects are localized over Triassic sequences outcropping from the bottom. The most intense degassing processes manifest themselves near the contact of the Triassic sequences and Jurassic clay deposits, as well as over deep depressions in a field of Bouguer anomalies related to the basement of the Jurassic-Cretaceous rift system

On the Response of the Special Sensor Microwave/Imager to the Marine Environment: Implications for Atmospheric Parameter Retrievals. Ph.D. Thesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Petty, Grant W.

1990-01-01

A reasonably rigorous basis for understanding and extracting the physical information content of Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I) satellite images of the marine environment is provided. To this end, a comprehensive algebraic parameterization is developed for the response of the SSM/I to a set of nine atmospheric and ocean surface parameters. The brightness temperature model includes a closed-form approximation to microwave radiative transfer in a non-scattering atmosphere and fitted models for surface emission and scattering based on geometric optics calculations for the roughened sea surface. The combined model is empirically tuned using suitable sets of SSM/I data and coincident surface observations. The brightness temperature model is then used to examine the sensitivity of the SSM/I to realistic variations in the scene being observed and to evaluate the theoretical maximum precision of global SSM/I retrievals of integrated water vapor, integrated cloud liquid water, and surface wind speed. A general minimum-variance method for optimally retrieving geophysical parameters from multichannel brightness temperature measurements is outlined, and several global statistical constraints of the type required by this method are computed. Finally, a unified set of efficient statistical and semi-physical algorithms is presented for obtaining fields of surface wind speed, integrated water vapor, cloud liquid water, and precipitation from SSM/I brightness temperature data. Features include: a semi-physical method for retrieving integrated cloud liquid water at 15 km resolution and with rms errors as small as approximately 0.02 kg/sq m; a 3-channel statistical algorithm for integrated water vapor which was constructed so as to have improved linear response to water vapor and reduced sensitivity to precipitation; and two complementary indices of precipitation activity (based on 37 GHz attenuation and 85 GHz scattering, respectively), each of which are relatively insensitive to variations in other environmental parameters.

Pigments, size and distribution of Synechococcus spp. in the Black Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Uysal, Zahit

2000-03-01

Pigments, size and distribution of Phycoerythrin-containing unicellular cyanobacteria Synechococcus spp. within the euphotic zone were studied for the first time in April-May 1994 in the western and southwestern Black Sea by epifluorescence microscopy and flow-cytometry. Synechococcus was present in varying quantities at every station and depth studied. Surface spatial distribution of Synechococcus revealed that cells were much more abundant in offshore waters than near coastal regions under the direct influence of the Danube river. Minimum and maximum cell concentrations ranged between 9×10 2 and 1.45×10 5 cells/ml at the surface, between 2×10 3 and 1.23×10 5 cells/ml at the chlorophyll sub-maximum layer, and between 1.3×10 2 and 3.5×10 2 at the nitrite maximum layer. Cells at the chlorophyll sub-maximum layer (based on in-situ fluorometer readings) fluoresce brighter and longer than the ones at the surface and lower depths. Spectral properties of chromophore pigment types of total 64 clonal isolates from different depths down to the lower layer of the euphotic zone (˜60 m) in the southern Black Sea coast revealed that all have type 2 phycoerythrobilin in common, lacking in phycourobilin. In vivo fluorescence emission maxima for the phycoerythrobilin were about the same (˜578 nm) for all isolates. All isolates examined showed in vivo absorption maxima at between 435 and 442 nm and at about 681 nm due to chlorophyll- a. Based on the flow cytometer mean forward light scatter data for size distribution, it could be concluded that cells at the surface mixed layer (0-10 m) were larger in cell size than the cells at lower depths (20-60 m).

Alterations in nanoparticle protein corona by biological surfactants: impact of bile salts on β-lactoglobulin-coated gold nanoparticles.

PubMed

Winuprasith, Thunnalin; Chantarak, Sirinya; Suphantharika, Manop; He, Lili; McClements, David Julian

2014-07-15

The impact of biological surfactants (bile salts) on the protein (β-lactoglobulin) corona surrounding gold nanoparticles (200 nm) was studied using a variety of analytical techniques at pH 7: dynamic light scattering (DLS); particle electrophoresis (ζ-potential); UV-visible (UV) spectroscopy; transmission electron microscopy (TEM); and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). The bile salts adsorbed to the protein-coated nanoparticle surfaces and altered their interfacial composition, charge, and structure. SERS spectra of protein-coated nanoparticles after bile salt addition contained bands from both protein and bile salts, indicating that the protein was not fully displaced by the bile salts. UV, DLS and TEM techniques also indicated that the protein coating was not fully displaced from the nanoparticle surfaces. The impact of bile salts could be described by an orogenic mechanism: mixed interfaces were formed that consisted of islands of aggregated proteins surrounded by a sea of bile salts. This knowledge is useful for understanding the interactions of bile salts with protein-coated colloidal particles, which may be important for controlling the fate of colloidal delivery systems in the human gastrointestinal tract, or the gastrointestinal fate of ingested inorganic nanoparticles. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Direct and semi-direct aerosol radiative effect on the Mediterranean climate variability using a coupled regional climate system model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nabat, Pierre; Somot, Samuel; Mallet, Marc; Sevault, Florence; Chiacchio, Marc; Wild, Martin

2015-02-01

A fully coupled regional climate system model (CNRM-RCSM4) has been used over the Mediterranean region to investigate the direct and semi-direct effects of aerosols, but also their role in the radiation-atmosphere-ocean interactions through multi-annual ensemble simulations (2003-2009) with and without aerosols and ocean-atmosphere coupling. Aerosols have been taken into account in CNRM-RCSM4 through realistic interannual monthly AOD climatologies. An evaluation of the model has been achieved, against various observations for meteorological parameters, and has shown the ability of CNRM-RCSM4 to reproduce the main patterns of the Mediterranean climate despite some biases in sea surface temperature (SST), radiation and cloud cover. The results concerning the aerosol radiative effects show a negative surface forcing on average because of the absorption and scattering of the incident radiation. The SW surface direct effect is on average -20.9 Wm-2 over the Mediterranean Sea, -14.7 Wm-2 over Europe and -19.7 Wm-2 over northern Africa. The LW surface direct effect is weaker as only dust aerosols contribute (+4.8 Wm-2 over northern Africa). This direct effect is partly counterbalanced by a positive semi-direct radiative effect over the Mediterranean Sea (+5.7 Wm-2 on average) and Europe (+5.0 Wm-2) due to changes in cloud cover and atmospheric circulation. The total aerosol effect is consequently negative at the surface and responsible for a decrease in land (on average -0.4 °C over Europe, and -0.5 °C over northern Africa) and sea surface temperature (on average -0.5 °C for the Mediterranean SST). In addition, the latent heat loss is shown to be weaker (-11.0 Wm-2) in the presence of aerosols, resulting in a decrease in specific humidity in the lower troposphere, and a reduction in cloud cover and precipitation. Simulations also indicate that dust aerosols warm the troposphere by absorbing solar radiation, and prevent radiation from reaching the surface, thus stabilizing the troposphere. The comparison with the model response in atmosphere-only simulations shows that these feedbacks are attenuated if SST cannot be modified by aerosols, highlighting the importance of using coupled regional models over the Mediterranean. Oceanic convection is also strengthened by aerosols, which tends to reinforce the Mediterranean thermohaline circulation. In parallel, two case studies are presented to illustrate positive feedbacks between dust aerosols and regional climate. First, the eastern Mediterranean was subject to high dust aerosol loads in June 2007 which reduce land and sea surface temperature, as well as air-sea humidity fluxes. Because of northern wind over the eastern Mediterranean, drier and cooler air has been consequently advected from the sea to the African continent, reinforcing the direct dust effect over land. On the contrary, during the western European heat wave in June 2006, dust aerosols have contributed to reinforcing an important ridge responsible for dry and warm air advection over western Europe, and thus to increasing lower troposphere (+0.8 °C) and surface temperature (+0.5 °C), namely about 15 % of this heat wave.

Interpretation of CAROLS L-band measurements in the Gulf of Biscay

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boutin, J.; Leduc-Leballeur, M.; Pardé, M.; Zribi, M.; Fanise, P.; Reverdin, G.; Tenerelli, J.; Reul, N.

2009-04-01

The L-band Cooperative Airborne Radiometer for Ocean and Land Studies (CAROLS) radiometer (see Zribi et al., Pardé et al., IGARSS 2008) flew four times over the Gulf of Biscay between September 24 to September 28, 2007 around 20UTC. These flights were the first ones over the ocean of this new instrument. Brightness temperatures (Tb) of the surface were measured by one antenna looking at 33° on the right hand side of the aircraft and optionally by a nadir antenna. Measurements are compared with simulations conducted with the Terrestrial Radiometry Analysis Package (TRAP) (Tenerelli et al., 2008) software run for CAROLS geometry and different observed geophysical conditions. Concomitant ship campaign and drifter deployments provide in situ ground truths for sea surface salinity (between 34.6 and 35.8pss) and temperature (between 15°C and 17°C). Wind speed (between 2 and 10m/s) and direction are estimated from the QSCAT scatterometer. TRAP uses the physical modelling of atmospheric radiative transfer, sea surface emissivity and galactic glint foreseen for the processing of the Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity satellite data. The circle flights and wing-wags movements of the CAROLS aircraft (The French research ATR42 aircraft) allow to explore a wide range of incidence angles (from 0° to about 60°) and of galactic signals reflected by the sea surface. On a whole, simulated and observed variations of Tb with incidence angle are very consistent, demonstrating a good sensitivity of CAROLS instrument. During the wing-wags, differences between observations and simulations occur in some azimutal directions possibly linked to imperfect knowledge of the galactic signal in some parts of the sky close to the Milky Way. During circle flights, observed azimutal variations are consistent with the galactic noise signal scattered by the sea surface as simulated with the model of (Tenerelli et al., 2008) and the signal due to rough sea assymmetry as simulated by a two-scale model using the Durden and Vesecky x2 wave spectrum (Dinnat et al, 2003). On September 28, a more than 1K increase of Tb over 2° longitude is observed, mainly linked to an increase of wind speed from 2 to 8m/s.

Optical image modulation above the submarine bottom topography: a case study on the Taiwan Banks, China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Yan; Hu, Jianyu; Li, Jing; Fu, Bin; Ma, Liming

2003-05-01

A possible mechanism to explain the correlation between submarine topography and the direct sunlight specially reflected from the sea surface with variable roughness caused by the bottom-current effect was suggested fifteen years ago by Henning et al. in International Journal of Remote Sensing, 9, 45-67, after comparing radar satellite image and Skylab satellite photograph of the North American east coast (Nantucket Shoals) with submarine relief features. A case study is carried out in the famous sand waves field located at the Taiwan banks of Taiwan Strait in August 1998. The TM images, either visible bands (TM1, TM2, TM3) or near infrared bands (TM4, TM5, TM7), shows submarine relief features for sand waves, with wavelength of 300 to 2000 meters, riding on the lager scale sand ridges and channel system. Sea truth data including 660 nm beam attenuation coefficient profiles were conducted in the same period. We compare signals of TM images, attenuation coefficient profiles, and sounding maps of the Taiwan Bands. The subsurface upwelling signals with contributions of the water column and the bottom, either estimated by single or quasi-single-scattering theory or revealed by the TM images after removing the contribution of direct sunlight reflected signals from sea surface, were too weak to distinguish the ridges and troughs of bedforms especially for red and near infrared bands. However, the direct sunlight specially reflected signals from the sea surface, approximately at same level in water-leaving reflectance not only for visible bands (TM1, TM2, TM3) but also for near infrared bands (TM4, TM5, TM7), was the major submarine bottom topography signals especially for those pixels towards the direction of the sun azimuth. Following a physical description for the lee waves appeared on free surface when the current flows round an underwater obstacle, the direct sunlight reflected signals related wave face slope, is dominated by the height and depth of sand waves and sand ridges, and current speed of the flows over those bedforms. The direct sunlight reflected signals from the sea surface could be regarded as a powerful tool to detect bedforms and other underwater obstacles.

Relating C-band Microwave and Optical Satellite Observations as A Function of Snow Thickness on First-Year Sea Ice during the Winter to Summer Transition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, J.; Yackel, J.

2015-12-01

The Arctic sea ice and its snow cover have a direct impact on both the Arctic and global climate system through their ability to moderate heat exchange across the ocean-sea ice-atmosphere (OSA) interface. Snow cover plays a key role in the OSA interface radiation and energy exchange, as it controls the growth and decay of first-year sea ice (FYI). However, meteoric accumulation and redistribution of snow on FYI is highly stochastic over space and time, which makes it poorly understood. Previous studies have estimated local-scale snow thickness distributions using in-situ technique and modelling but it is spatially limited and challenging due to logistic difficulties. Moreover, snow albedo is also critical for determining the surface energy balance of the OSA during the critical summer ablation season. Even then, due to persistent and widespread cloud cover in the Arctic at various spatio-temporal scales, it is difficult and unreliable to remotely measure albedo of snow cover on FYI in the optical spectrum. Previous studies demonstrate that only large-scale sea ice albedo was successfully estimated using optical-satellite sensors. However, space-borne microwave sensors, with their capability of all-weather and 24-hour imaging, can provide enhanced information about snow cover on FYI. Daily spaceborne C-band scatterometer data (ASCAT) and MODIS data are used to investigate the the seasonal co-evolution of the microwave backscatter coefficient and optical albedo as a function of snow thickness on smooth FYI. The research focuses on snow-covered FYI near Cambridge Bay, Nunavut (Fig.1) during the winter to advanced-melt period (April-June, 2014). The ACSAT time series (Fig.2) show distinct increase in scattering at melt onset indicating the first occurrence of melt water in the snow cover. The corresponding albedo exhibits no decrease at this stage. We show how the standard deviation of ASCAT backscatter on FYI during winter can be used as a proxy for surface roughness and subsequent snow thickness (ie. Rougher surfaces acquire thicker snow covers) and then how this surface manifests into statistically distinguishable surface melt pond fractions which largely governs the optical derived albedo. Such relationships are useful for modelling the subsequent summer melt pond fraction and albedo from winter snow cover.

Ocean Color Measurements from Landsat-8 OLI using SeaDAS

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Franz, Bryan Alden; Bailey, Sean W.; Kuring, Norman; Werdell, P. Jeremy

2014-01-01

The Operational Land Imager (OLI) is a multi-spectral radiometer hosted on the recently launched Landsat-8 satellite. OLI includes a suite of relatively narrow spectral bands at 30-meter spatial resolution in the visible to shortwave infrared that make it a potential tool for ocean color radiometry: measurement of the reflected spectral radiance upwelling from beneath the ocean surface that carries information on the biogeochemical constituents of the upper ocean euphotic zone. To evaluate the potential of OLI to measure ocean color, processing support was implemented in SeaDAS, which is an open-source software package distributed by NASA for processing, analysis, and display of ocean remote sensing measurements from a variety of satellite-based multi-spectral radiometers. Here we describe the implementation of OLI processing capabilities within SeaDAS, including support for various methods of atmospheric correction to remove the effects of atmospheric scattering and absorption and retrieve the spectral remote-sensing reflectance (Rrs; sr exp 1). The quality of the retrieved Rrs imagery will be assessed, as will the derived water column constituents such as the concentration of the phytoplankton pigment chlorophyll a.

Spatio-temporal variations in the siphonophore community of the northern South China Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Kaizhi; Yin, Jianqiang; Huang, Liangmin; Lian, Shumin; Zhang, Jianlin

2013-03-01

To understand how hydrological and biological factors affect near- to off-shore variations in the siphonophore community, we sampled zooplankton at 82 stations in the northern South China Sea during summer, winter, and spring. Forty-one species of siphonophore were collected by vertical trawling. The species richness of siphonophores increased from the nearshore to offshore regions in all three seasons of investigation, with maximum richness in summer and minimum richness in winter. The abundance of siphonophores was also higher in summer than in spring and winter, concentrated in the nearshore region in the warm season and scattered in the offshore region in the cold season. Four siphonophore groups were classified according to the frequency of occurrence: nearshore, near-offshore, offshore, and tropical pelagic. Among them, the nearshore group had higher abundance nearshore compared with the offshore. The tropical pelagic group had higher species number offshore than nearshore. Spatial and temporal fluctuations in taxonomic composition and abundance of siphonophores were due to the influence of the coastal upwelling and surface ocean currents of the South China Sea, driven by the East Asia monsoonal system.

Measuring Directional Wave Spectra and Wind Speed with a Scanning Radar Altimeter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Walsh, E. J.; Vandemark, D.; Wright, C. W.; Swift, R. N.; Scott, J. F.; Hines, D. E.

1999-01-01

The geometry for the NASA Scanning Radar Altimeter (SRA) is shown. It transmits a 8-ns duration pulse at Ka-band (8.3 mm) and measures time of flight as it scans a 1 degree (two-way) beam from left to right across the aircraft ground track. The most recent configuration determines the surface elevation at 64 points spaced at uniform angular intervals of about 0.7 across a swath whose width is about 0.8 times the aircraft altitude. The system generates these raster lines of the surface topography beneath the aircraft at about a 10 Hz rate. In postflight processing the SRA wave topographic data are transformed with a two-dimensional Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT) and Doppler corrected to produce directional wave spectra. The SRA is not absolutely calibrated in power, but by measuring the relative fall-off of backscatter with increasing incidence angle, the SRA can also determine the mean square slope (mss) of the sea surface, a surrogate for wind speed. For the slope-dependent specular point model of radar sea surface scattering, an expression approximated by a geometric optics form, for the relative variation with incidence angle of the normalized backscatter radar cross section would be sigma (sup 0) (sub rel) = sec (exp 4) theta exp (-tan squared theta/mss) where theta is the off-nadir incidence angle.

How ocean color can steer Pacific tropical cyclones

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gnanadesikan, Anand; Emanuel, Kerry; Vecchi, Gabriel A.; Anderson, Whit G.; Hallberg, Robert

2010-09-01

Because ocean color alters the absorption of sunlight, it can produce changes in sea surface temperatures with further impacts on atmospheric circulation. These changes can project onto fields previously recognized to alter the distribution of tropical cyclones. If the North Pacific subtropical gyre contained no absorbing and scattering materials, the result would be to reduce subtropical cyclone activity in the subtropical Northwest Pacific by 2/3, while concentrating cyclone tracks along the equator. Predicting tropical cyclone activity using coupled models may thus require consideration of the details of how heat moves into the upper thermocline as well as biogeochemical cycling.

A Campaign Study of Sea Spray Aerosol Properties in the Bay of Aarhus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nguyen, Quynh; Rasmussen, Berit; Kristensen, Kasper; Sloth Nielsen, Lærke; Bilde, Merete

2016-04-01

The oceans of the world are a dominant source of atmospheric aerosol. Together with mineral dust, sea spray aerosols (SSA) constitute the largest mass flux of particulate matter in the atmosphere (Andreae and Rosenfeld, 2008). Due to their effects on the global radiative budget - both directly as scatterers and absorbers of solar and terrestrial radiation, and indirectly as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN), SSA are considered an important component of the climate system. The sea-surface microlayer (SML) is an ultra-thin boundary layer between the ocean and the atmosphere. The high concentration of surface-active organic compounds in the SML, compared to that of the underlying water column, creates rigid film-like layer over the surface of the ocean. The SML is believed to play an important role in the formation and composition of SSA. However, current knowledge on the SML and its impacts on SSA remain limited. To characterize the SML of natural seawater and examine its impacts on aerosol properties, a field campaign was conducted in the bay of Aarhus, Denmark, during spring 2015. Bulk seawater was collected 1-2 times every week along with selective sampling of the SML. Characterization of the sea water and SML included a wide range of measurements, including surface tension, water activity, dissolved organic matter, and chemical composition analysis by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization high-resolution quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/ESI-HR-Q-TOFMS). SSA was generated from sampled sea water by diffusion of air bubbles through a 10L seawater sample situated in a sea spray tank. Particle number concentration and CCN measurements were conducted along with measurements of the organic share in the aerosol phase as indicated by volatility measurements. To investigate the effect of the SML, spiking of the seawater samples with additional SML was performed and measurements repeated for comparison. Preliminary results show that the SML samples only displayed slightly lower surface tension compared to subsurface seawater. A number of overlapping masses were observed in dissolved organic matter extracted from SML and slick samples, which requires further identification. Spiking bulk seawater with SML seems to lead to a small increase in organic share in the aerosol phase as indicated by volatility measurements, while the trend is unclear in CCN measurements. Andreae, M. O., and Rosenfeld, D.: Aerosol-cloud-precipitation interactions. Part 1. The nature and sources of cloud-active aerosols, Earth-Sci Rev, 89, 13-41, 2008.

Sea ice effects in a spectral wave model: principles and practical implementation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boutin, G.; Ardhuin, F.; Girard-Ardhuin, F.; Dumont, D.; Sévigny, C.

2016-12-01

Numerical wave models have their largest errors around sea ice, and their accuracy is generally unknown in the ice as very few data are available. This is largely because they do not, or in a coarse way, take into account the interactions of waves and sea ice, and because the necessary information about sea ice properties is not readily available. Recent progress have expanded our knowledge of wave scattering by sea ice as well as several dissipation processes, highlighting the need to include ice thickness and information on the ice floes size. Starting from a consistent representation of energy and dispersion in the presence of sea ice, we have redefined a set of self-consistent dissipation and scattering parameterizations for the WAVEWATCH III model which is expected to apply to a variety of ice conditions with the exception of forming ice. In our model the ice is treated as a single layer that can be fractured in many floes expected to be equivalent to circular floes with a power law distribution of diameters that is defined from the maximum diameter Dmax and a fragility parameter. This layer of ice induces a dissipation of the wave energy through basal friction (Stopa et al. The Cryosphere, 2016) and secondary creep associated with ice flexure (Cole et al. 1998), in addition to an energy-conserving scattering modeled following Kohout and Meylan (2006). The ice thickness and concentration are taken uniform over a model grid cell, and are typically provided by model products or satellite data, and are not affected by the waves. The wave model results are used to update Dmax by a probabilistic evaluation of ice break-up by the waves. This process introduces an interesting feedback on the wave scattering and dissipation. The combination of dissipation and scattering leads to spatial patterns in the wave height and directional spreading of the wave field that can be easily tested with in situ or remote sensing data (Sutherland and Gascard GRL 2016, Ardhuin et al. GRL 2016). In particular our model assumes that wave dissipation in unbroken ice is dominated by creep, which then vanishes once the ice is broken, reproducing the wave attenuation observed by Collins et al. (GRL 2015). Consistent with the low directional spread in most SAR imagery, scattering does not appear as the main factor for the attenuation of dominant swells with periods 12 to 25 s.

Satellite observations of a polar low over the Norwegian Sea by Special Sensor Microwave Imager, Geosat, and TIROS-N Operational Vertical Sounder

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Claud, Chantal; Mognard, Nelly M.; Katsaros, Kristina B.; Chedin, Alain; Scott, Noelle A.

1993-01-01

Many polar lows are generated at the boundary between sea ice and the ocean, in regions of large temperature gradients, where in situ observations are rare or nonexistent. Since satellite observations are frequent in high-latitude regions, they can be used to detect polar lows and track their propagation and evolution. The Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I) providing estimates of surface wind speed, integrated cloud liquid water content, water vapor content, and precipitation size ice-scattering signal over the ocean; the Geosat radar altimeter measuring surface wind speed and significant wave height; and the TIROS-N Operational Vertical Sounder (TOVS) allowing the determination of temperature and humidity profiles in the atmosphere have been used in synergy for a specific case which occurred in the Norwegian Sea on January, 23-24 1988. All three instruments show sharp atmospheric gradients associated with the propagation of this low across the ocean, which permit the detection of the polar low at a very early stage and tracking it during its development, propagation, and decay. The wind speed gradients are measured with good qualitative agreement between the altimeter and SSM/I. TOVS retrieved fields prior to the formation of the low confirm the presence of an upper level trough, while during the mature phase baroclinicity can be observed in the 1000-500 hPa geopotential thicknesses.

Problems in Assessment of the UV Penetration into Natural Waters from Space-based Measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vasilkov, Alexander P.; Herman, Jay; Krotkov, Nickolay A.; Kahru, Mati; Mitchell, B. Greg; Hsu, Christina; Bhartia, P. K. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

Satellite instruments currently provide global maps of surface UV (ultraviolet) irradiance by combining backscattered radiance data with radiative transfer models. The models are often limited by uncertainties in physical input parameters of the atmosphere and surface. Global mapping of the underwater UV irradiance creates further challenges for the models. The uncertainties in physical input parameters become more serious because of the presence of absorbing and scattering quantities caused by biological processes within the oceans. In this paper we summarize the problems encountered in the assessment of the underwater UV irradiance from space-based measurements, and propose approaches to resolve the problems. We have developed a radiative transfer scheme for computation of the UV irradiance in the atmosphere-ocean system. The scheme makes use of input parameters derived from satellite instruments such as TOMS (Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer) and SeaWiFS (Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor). The major problem in assessment of the surface UV irradiance is to accurately quantify the effects of clouds. Unlike the standard TOMS UV algorithm, we use the cloud fraction products available from SeaWiFS and MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer) to calculate instantaneous surface flux at the ocean surface. Daily UV doses can be calculated by assuming a model of constant cloudiness throughout the day. Both SeaWiFS and MODIS provide some estimates of seawater optical properties in the visible. To calculate the underwater UV flux the seawater optical properties must be extrapolated down to shorter wavelengths. Currently, the problem of accurate extrapolation of visible data down to the UV spectral range is not solved completely, and there are few available measurements. The major difficulty is insufficient correlation between photosynthetic and photoprotective pigments of phytoplankton absorbing in the visible and UV respectively. We propose to empirically parameterize seawater absorption in the UV on a basis of available data sets of bio-optical measurements from a variety of ocean waters. Another problem is the lack of reliable data on pure seawater absorption in the UV. Laboratory measurements of the UV absorption of both pure water and pure seawater are required.

OSOAA: A Vector Radiative Transfer Model of Coupled Atmosphere-Ocean System for a Rough Sea Surface Application to the Estimates of the Directional Variations of the Water Leaving Reflectance to Better Process Multi-angular Satellite Sensors Data Over the Ocean

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chami, Malik; LaFrance, Bruno; Fougnie, Bertrand; Chowdhary, Jacek; Harmel, Tristan; Waquet, Fabien

2015-01-01

In this study, we present a radiative transfer model, so-called OSOAA, that is able to predict the radiance and degree of polarization within the coupled atmosphere-ocean system in the presence of a rough sea surface. The OSOAA model solves the radiative transfer equation using the successive orders of scattering method. Comparisons with another operational radiative transfer model showed a satisfactory agreement within 0.8%. The OSOAA model has been designed with a graphical user interface to make it user friendly for the community. The radiance and degree of polarization are provided at any level, from the top of atmosphere to the ocean bottom. An application of the OSOAA model is carried out to quantify the directional variations of the water leaving reflectance and degree of polarization for phytoplankton and mineral-like dominated waters. The difference between the water leaving reflectance at a given geometry and that obtained for the nadir direction could reach 40%, thus questioning the Lambertian assumption of the sea surface that is used by inverse satellite algorithms dedicated to multi-angular sensors. It is shown as well that the directional features of the water leaving reflectance are weakly dependent on wind speed. The quantification of the directional variations of the water leaving reflectance obtained in this study should help to correctly exploit the satellite data that will be acquired by the current or forthcoming multi-angular satellite sensors.

Microwave and physical properties of sea ice in the winter marginal ice zone

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tucker, W. B., III; Perovich, D. K.; Gow, A. J.; Grenfell, T. C.; Onstott, R. G.

1991-01-01

Surface-based active and passive microwave measurements were made in conjunction with ice property measurements for several distinct ice types in the Fram Strait during March and April 1987. Synthesis aperture radar imagery downlinked from an aircraft was used to select study sites. The surface-based radar scattering cross section and emissivity spectra generally support previously inferred qualitative relationships between ice types, exhibiting expected separation between young, first-year and multiyear ice. Gradient ratios, calculated for both active and passive data, appear to allow clear separation of ice types when used jointly. Surface flooding of multiyear floes, resulting from excessive loading and perhaps wave action, causes both active and passive signatures to resemble those of first-year ice. This effect could possibly cause estimates of ice type percentages in the marginal ice zone to be in error when derived from aircraft- or satellite-born sensors.

Near grazing scattering from non-Gaussian ocean surfaces

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kim, Yunjin; Rodriguez, Ernesto

1993-01-01

We investigate the behavior of the scattered electromagnetic waves from non-Gaussian ocean surfaces at near grazing incidence. Even though the scattering mechanisms at moderate incidence angles are relatively well understood, the same is not true for near grazing rough surface scattering. However, from the experimental ocean scattering data, it has been observed that the backscattering cross section of a horizontally polarized wave can be as large as the vertical counterpart at near grazing incidence. In addition, these returns are highly intermittent in time. There have been some suggestions that these unexpected effects may come from shadowing or feature scattering. Using numerical scattering simulations, it can be shown that the horizontal backscattering cannot be larger than the vertical one for the Gaussian surfaces. Our main objective of this study is to gain a clear understanding of scattering mechanisms underlying the near grazing ocean scattering. In order to evaluate the backscattering cross section from ocean surfaces at near grazing incidence, both the hydrodynamic modeling of ocean surfaces and an accurate near grazing scattering theory are required. For the surface modeling, we generate Gaussian surfaces from the ocean surface power spectrum which is derived using several experimental data. Then, weakly nonlinear large scale ocean surfaces are generated following Longuet-Higgins. In addition, the modulation of small waves by large waves is included using the conservation of wave action. For surface scattering, we use MOM (Method of Moments) to calculate the backscattering from scattering patches with the two scale shadowing approximation. The differences between Gaussian and non-Gaussian surface scattering at near grazing incidence are presented.

Underwater Sound Scattering by Marine Organisms. A Review,

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-08-01

play the dominant scattering role in different seasons . 2.2 Correlation of Acoustic Reverberation Measurements with the Geographic Distribution of...to scattering beneath a floating ice station on the Beaufort Sea. Plankton net hauls indicated that accumulations of the thecostomatous pteropod ...and in the combined upper layer at night. Of these, the siphonophore, Ablyopsis tetragona, pteropod Cymbulia sp.,euphausiids, Thysanopoda sp. and

Assessment of aerosol optics, microphysics, and transport process of biomass-burning haze over northern SE Asia: 7-SEAS AERONET observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, S.; Giles, D. M.; Eck, T. F.; Lin, N.; Tsay, S.; Holben, B. N.

2013-12-01

Initiated in 2007, the Seven South East Asian Studies (7-SEAS) is aimed to facilitate an interdisciplinary research on the aerosol environment in SE Asia (SEA) as a whole, promote international collaboration, and further enhance scientific understanding of the impact of biomass burning on clouds, atmospheric radiation, hydrological cycle, and region climates. One of the key measurements proposed in the 7-SEAS is the NASA/AERONET (AErosol RObotic NETwork) observation, which provides helpful information on columnar aerosol optical properties and allows us consistently to examine biomass-burning aerosols across northern SEA from ground-based remote-sensing point of view. In this presentation, we will focus on the two 7-SEAS field deployments, i.e. the 2012 Son La Experiment and the 2013 BASELInE (Biomass-burning Aerosols & Stratocumulus Environment: Lifecycles and Interactions Experiment). We analyze the daytime variation of aerosol by using consistent measurements from 15 of AERONET sites over Indochina, the South China Sea, and Taiwan. Spatiotemporal characteristics of aerosol optical properties (e.g., aerosol optical depth (AOD), fine/coarse mode AOD, single-scattering albedo, asymmetry factor) will be discussed. Strong diurnal variation of aerosol optical properties was observed to be attributed to planetary boundary layer (PBL) dynamics. A comparison between aerosol loading (i.e. AOD) and surface PM2.5 concentration will be presented. Our results demonstrate that smoke aerosols emitted from agriculture burning that under certain meteorological conditions can degrade regional air quality 3000 km from the source region, with additional implications for aerosol radiative forcing and regional climate change over northern SE Asia.

Improved ocean-color remote sensing in the Arctic using the POLYMER algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frouin, Robert; Deschamps, Pierre-Yves; Ramon, Didier; Steinmetz, François

2012-10-01

Atmospheric correction of ocean-color imagery in the Arctic brings some specific challenges that the standard atmospheric correction algorithm does not address, namely low solar elevation, high cloud frequency, multi-layered polar clouds, presence of ice in the field-of-view, and adjacency effects from highly reflecting surfaces covered by snow and ice and from clouds. The challenges may be addressed using a flexible atmospheric correction algorithm, referred to as POLYMER (Steinmetz and al., 2011). This algorithm does not use a specific aerosol model, but fits the atmospheric reflectance by a polynomial with a non spectral term that accounts for any non spectral scattering (clouds, coarse aerosol mode) or reflection (glitter, whitecaps, small ice surfaces within the instrument field of view), a spectral term with a law in wavelength to the power -1 (fine aerosol mode), and a spectral term with a law in wavelength to the power -4 (molecular scattering, adjacency effects from clouds and white surfaces). Tests are performed on selected MERIS imagery acquired over Arctic Seas. The derived ocean properties, i.e., marine reflectance and chlorophyll concentration, are compared with those obtained with the standard MEGS algorithm. The POLYMER estimates are more realistic in regions affected by the ice environment, e.g., chlorophyll concentration is higher near the ice edge, and spatial coverage is substantially increased. Good retrievals are obtained in the presence of thin clouds, with ocean-color features exhibiting spatial continuity from clear to cloudy regions. The POLYMER estimates of marine reflectance agree better with in situ measurements than the MEGS estimates. Biases are 0.001 or less in magnitude, except at 412 and 443 nm, where they reach 0.005 and 0.002, respectively, and root-mean-squared difference decreases from 0.006 at 412 nm to less than 0.001 at 620 and 665 nm. A first application to MODIS imagery is presented, revealing that the POLYMER algorithm is robust when pixels are contaminated by sea ice.

Surface areas of fractally rough particles studied by scattering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hurd, Alan J.; Schaefer, Dale W.; Smith, Douglas M.; Ross, Steven B.; Le Méhauté, Alain; Spooner, Steven

1989-05-01

The small-angle scattering from fractally rough surfaces has the potential to give information on the surface area at a given resolution. By use of quantitative neutron and x-ray scattering, a direct comparison of surface areas of fractally rough powders was made between scattering and adsorption techniques. This study supports a recently proposed correction to the theory for scattering from fractal surfaces. In addition, the scattering data provide an independent calibration of molecular adsorbate areas.

C-Band Backscatter Measurements of Winter Sea-Ice in the Weddell Sea, Antarctica

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Drinkwater, M. R.; Hosseinmostafa, R.; Gogineni, P.

1995-01-01

During the 1992 Winter Weddell Gyre Study, a C-band scatterometer was used from the German ice-breaker R/V Polarstern to obtain detailed shipborne measurement scans of Antarctic sea-ice. The frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FM-CW) radar operated at 4-3 GHz and acquired like- (VV) and cross polarization (HV) data at a variety of incidence angles (10-75 deg). Calibrated backscatter data were recorded for several ice types as the icebreaker crossed the Weddell Sea and detailed measurements were made of corresponding snow and sea-ice characteristics at each measurement site, together with meteorological information, radiation budget and oceanographic data. The primary scattering contributions under cold winter conditions arise from the air/snow and snow/ice interfaces. Observations indicate so e similarities with Arctic sea-ice scattering signatures, although the main difference is generally lower mean backscattering coefficients in the Weddell Sea. This is due to the younger mean ice age and thickness, and correspondingly higher mean salinities. In particular, smooth white ice found in 1992 in divergent areas within the Weddell Gyre ice pack was generally extremely smooth and undeformed. Comparisons of field scatterometer data with calibrated 20-26 deg incidence ERS-1 radar image data show close correspondence, and indicate that rough Antarctic first-year and older second-year ice forms do not produce as distinctively different scattering signatures as observed in the Arctic. Thick deformed first-year and second-year ice on the other hand are clearly discriminated from younger undeformed ice. thereby allowing successful separation of thick and thin ice. Time-series data also indicate that C-band is sensitive to changes in snow and ice conditions resulting from atmospheric and oceanographic forcing and the local heat flux environment. Variations of several dB in 45 deg incidence backscatter occur in response to a combination of thermally-regulated parameters including sea-ice brine volume, snow and ice complex dielectric properties, and snow physical properties.

Scatter Measurements Made With Ultraviolet Light

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anthon, Erik W.

1985-09-01

The quality of optical surfaces is generally evaluated by how much light (normally visible light) is scattered by the surface. Most optical glasses and many coating materials are completely opaque to ultraviolet light (253.7 nm). Ultraviolet light tends to scatter much more than visible light. Scatter measurements made with ultraviolet light are therefore very sensitive and the scatter from second surfaces and from the interior (bulk) of the optical material is eliminated by the opacity. A novel scattermeter that operates with ultraviolet light has been developed. The construction and operation of this scattermeter will be described. Cleaning soon becomes the limiting factor when measuring the surfaces with very low level of scatter. Sensitivity to repeated cleaning has been investigated. Different surfaces are compared and uniformity of surfaces is measured by mapping a surface area with an x-y stage. Polished glass surfaces generally have much higher scatter than natural glass surfaces (fire polished, drawn or floated surfaces). Very low scatter levels have been found on thin drawn glass.

Scattered surface wave energy in the seismic coda

USGS Publications Warehouse

Zeng, Y.

2006-01-01

One of the many important contributions that Aki has made to seismology pertains to the origin of coda waves (Aki, 1969; Aki and Chouet, 1975). In this paper, I revisit Aki's original idea of the role of scattered surface waves in the seismic coda. Based on the radiative transfer theory, I developed a new set of scattered wave energy equations by including scattered surface waves and body wave to surface wave scattering conversions. The work is an extended study of Zeng et al. (1991), Zeng (1993) and Sato (1994a) on multiple isotropic-scattering, and may shed new insight into the seismic coda wave interpretation. The scattering equations are solved numerically by first discretizing the model at regular grids and then solving the linear integral equations iteratively. The results show that scattered wave energy can be well approximated by body-wave to body wave scattering at earlier arrival times and short distances. At long distances from the source, scattered surface waves dominate scattered body waves at surface stations. Since surface waves are 2-D propagating waves, their scattered energies should in theory follow a common decay curve. The observed common decay trends on seismic coda of local earthquake recordings particular at long lapse times suggest that perhaps later seismic codas are dominated by scattered surface waves. When efficient body wave to surface wave conversion mechanisms are present in the shallow crustal layers, such as soft sediment layers, the scattered surface waves dominate the seismic coda at even early arrival times for shallow sources and at later arrival times for deeper events.

The Influence of a Sandy Substrate, Seagrass, or Highly Turbid Water on Albedo and Surface Heat Flux

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fogarty, M. C.; Fewings, M. R.; Paget, A. C.; Dierssen, H. M.

2018-01-01

Sea-surface albedo is a combination of surface-reflected and water-leaving irradiance, but water-leaving irradiance typically contributes less than 15% of the total albedo in open-ocean conditions. In coastal systems, however, the bottom substrate or suspended particulate matter can increase the amount of backscattered light, thereby increasing albedo and decreasing net shortwave surface heat flux. Here a sensitivity analysis using observations and models predicts the effect of light scattering on albedo and the net shortwave heat flux for three test cases: a bright sand bottom, a seagrass canopy, and turbid water. After scaling to the full solar shortwave spectrum, daytime average albedo for the test cases is up to 0.20 and exceeds the value of 0.05 predicted using a commonly applied parameterization. Daytime net shortwave heat flux into the water is significantly reduced, particularly for waters with bright sediments, dense horizontal seagrass canopies < 0.25 m from the sea surface, or highly turbid waters with suspended particulate matter concentration ≥ 50 g m-3. Observations of a more vertical seagrass canopy within 0.2 and 1 m of the surface indicate the increase in albedo compared to the common parameterization is negligible. Therefore, we suggest that the commonly applied albedo lookup table can be used in coastal heat flux estimates in water as shallow as 1 m unless the bottom substrate is highly reflective or the water is highly turbid. Our model results provide guidance to researchers who need to determine albedo in highly reflective or highly turbid conditions but have no direct observations.

Global Aerosol Radiative Forcing Derived from Sea WiFS-Inferred Aerosol Optical Properties

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chou, Ming-Dah; Chan, Pui-King; Wang, Menghua

1999-01-01

Aerosol optical properties inferred from the Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) radiance measurements are used to compute the aerosol shortwave radiative forcing using a radiative transfer model. The aerosol optical thickness at the wavelength of 865-nm is taken from the SeaWIFS archive. It is found that the nominal optical thickness over oceans ranges from 0.1 to 0.2. Using a maritime aerosol model and the radiances measured at the various SeaWiFS channels, the Angstrom exponent is determined to be 0.2174, the single-scattering albedo to be 0.995, and the asymmetry factor to be 0.786. The radiative transfer model has eight bands in the visible and ultraviolet spectral regions and three bands in the near infrared. It includes the absorption due to aerosols, water vapor, carbon dioxide, and oxygen, and the scattering due to aerosols and gases (Rayleigh scattering). The radiative forcing is computed over global oceans for four months (January, April, July, and October, 1998) to represent four seasons. It is found that the aerosol radiative forcing is large and changes significantly with seasons near the continents with large-scale forest fires and desert dust. Averaged over oceans and the four months, the aerosol radiative forcing is approximately 7 W/sq m at the top of the atmosphere. This large radiative forcing is expected to have a significant cooling effect on the Earth's climate as implied from simulations of a number of general circulation models.

Backscattering from a randomly rough dielectric surface

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fung, Adrian K.; Li, Zongqian; Chen, K. S.

1992-01-01

A backscattering model for scattering from a randomly rough dielectric surface is developed based on an approximate solution of a pair of integral equations for the tangential surface fields. Both like and cross-polarized scattering coefficients are obtained. It is found that the like polarized scattering coefficients contain two types of terms: single scattering terms and multiple scattering terms. The single scattering terms in like polarized scattering are shown to reduce the first-order solutions derived from the small perturbation method when the roughness parameters satisfy the slightly rough conditions. When surface roughnesses are large but the surface slope is small, only a single scattering term corresponding to the standard Kirchhoff model is significant. If the surface slope is large, the multiple scattering term will also be significant. The cross-polarized backscattering coefficients satisfy reciprocity and contain only multiple scattering terms. The difference between vertical and horizontal scattering coefficients is found to increase with the dielectric constant and is generally smaller than that predicted by the first-order small perturbation model. Good agreements are obtained between this model and measurements from statistically known surfaces.

MP3 - A Meteorology and Physical Properties Package to explore Air:Sea interaction on Titan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lorenz, R. D.

2012-04-01

The exchange of mass, heat and momentum at the air:sea interface are profound influences on our environment. Titan presents us with an opportunity to study these processes in a novel physical context. The MP3 instrument, under development for the proposed Discovery mission TiME (Titan Mare Explorer) is an integrated suite of small, simple sensors that combines the a traditional meteorology package with liquid physical properties and depth-sounding. In TiME's 6-Titan-day (96-day) nominal mission, MP3 will have an extended measurement opportunity in one of the most evocative environments in the solar system. The mission and instrument benefit from APL's expertise and experience in marine as well as space systems. The topside meteorology sensors (METH, WIND, PRES, TEMP) will yield the first long-duration in-situ data to constrain Global Circulation Models. The sea sensors (TEMP, TURB, DIEL, SOSO) allow high cadence bulk composition measurements to detect heterogeneities as the TiME capsule drifts across Ligeia, while a depth sounder (SONR) will measure the bottom profile. The combination of these sensors (and vehicle dynamics, ACCL) will characterize air:sea exchange. In addition to surface data, a measurement subset (ACCL, PRES, METH, TEMP) is made during descent to characterize the structure of the polar troposphere and marine boundary layer. A single electronics box inside the vehicle performs supervising and data handling functions and is connected to the sensors on the exterior via a wire and fiber optic harness. ACCL: MEMS accelerometers and angular rate sensors measure the vehicle motion during descent and on the surface, to recover wave amplitude and period and to correct wind measurements for vehicle motion. TEMP: Precision sensors are installed at several locations above and below the 'waterline' to measure air and sea temperatures. Installation of topside sensors at several locations ensures that at least one is on the upwind side of the vehicle. PRES: The barometer subsystem uses pressure sensors from FMI of the type flown on Huygens. METH. Methane humidity (and the presence of fog) is measured with a near-IR differential absorption spectro-photometer. The humidity may vary with and fetch, as well as on nearby rainfall. WIND. An ultrasonic anemometer, mounted on a mast to minimize flow perturbations, measures wind speed and direction. DIEL : An immersed parallel-plate capacitor (spare from Huygens SSP) fills with liquid to measure the dielectric constant. This is sensitive to the methane/ethane ratio, and to the possible presence of nitriles such as HCN. SOSO : A pair of ultrasound transducers (SSP spares) measure the speed of sound in the liquid, a function of the methane/ethane ratio (unaffected by trace nitriles). SONR : A down-looking piezoelectric depth-sounder to measure the bottom profile. The echo record will also indicate suspended scatterers and the presence of bubble noise at the sea surface. TURB. A visible light beam is passed through the liquid and the direct and scattered intensity is measured to gauge particles in the liquid and the deposition of solar heat with depth.

Detection of Seasonal Changes in the Cryosphere Using Reflected GNSS Signals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chew, C. C.; Zuffada, C.; Mannucci, A. J.; Lowe, S.; Oveisgharan, S.; Esterhuizen, S. X.

2016-12-01

Using ground-reflected GPS or GNSS signals in a bistatic radar approach is a new way of observing changes in the Earth's surface. Numerous studies using GNSS receivers flown on aircraft or mounted on towers have shown that these forward-scattered signals are sensitive to changes in sea state, soil moisture, vegetation cover, and sea ice. However, until last year, there was a paucity of observations from which to understand potential science applications from the vantage point of space. Two recent advancements have provided the largest amount of spaceborne reflection data ever recorded. The first, TechDemoSat-1 (TDS-1), is an experimental platform launched in July 2014 that houses a GPS receiver and antenna capable of recording reflections. Although designed to record reflections over the ocean surface, TDS-1 has also recorded a large amount of reflection data over land, which show sensitivity to both soil moisture and sea ice. The second major advancement is GNSS reflections data recorded by the SMAP radar receiver. JPL retuned the receiver to the GPS frequency soon after July 2015 and began passively recording reflections data. As of August 2016, the receiver is still recording daily reflections. Together, these two new sources of data allow the investigation of seasonal changes in the Earth's surface at moderately high resolution ( 1 km). Here, we present seasonal changes in the cryosphere as observed by TDS-1 and in the SMAP reflections data. Although the sensitivity to sea ice has been previously shown, here we show for the first time a strong change in the reflected signal over land between winter and the spring thaw of up to 15 dB. This could be an indication that reflected GNSS signals are sensitive to freeze/thaw state of the soil. The confounding influence of the snowpack on the signal must be understood before definitive conclusions can be made, and we show the current status of this analysis.

Coastal High-resolution Observations and Remote Sensing of Ecosystems (C-HORSE)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Guild, Liane

2016-01-01

Coastal benthic marine ecosystems, such as coral reefs, seagrass beds, and kelp forests are highly productive as well as ecologically and commercially important resources. These systems are vulnerable to degraded water quality due to coastal development, terrestrial run-off, and harmful algal blooms. Measurements of these features are important for understanding linkages with land-based sources of pollution and impacts to coastal ecosystems. Challenges for accurate remote sensing of coastal benthic (shallow water) ecosystems and water quality are complicated by atmospheric scattering/absorption (approximately 80+% of the signal), sun glint from the sea surface, and water column scattering (e.g., turbidity). Further, sensor challenges related to signal to noise (SNR) over optically dark targets as well as insufficient radiometric calibration thwart the value of coastal remotely-sensed data. Atmospheric correction of satellite and airborne remotely-sensed radiance data is crucial for deriving accurate water-leaving radiance in coastal waters. C-HORSE seeks to optimize coastal remote sensing measurements by using a novel airborne instrument suite that will bridge calibration, validation, and research capabilities of bio-optical measurements from the sea to the high altitude remote sensing platform. The primary goal of C-HORSE is to facilitate enhanced optical observations of coastal ecosystems using state of the art portable microradiometers with 19 targeted spectral channels and flight planning to optimize measurements further supporting current and future remote sensing missions.

Sea Surface Scanner: An advanced catamaran to study the sea surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wurl, O.; Mustaffa, N. I. H.; Ribas Ribas, M.

2016-02-01

The Sea Surface Scanner is a remote-controlled catamaran with the capability to sample the sea-surface microlayer in high resolution. The catamaran is equipped with a suite of sensors to scan the sea surface on chemical, biological and physical parameters. Parameters include UV absorption, fluorescence spectra, chlorophyll-a, photosynthetic efficiency, chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM), dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, and salinity. A further feature is a capability to collect remotely discrete water samples for detailed lab analysis. We present the first high-resolution (< 30 sec) data on the sea surface microlayer. We discuss the variability of biochemical properties of the sea surface and its implication on air-sea interaction.

Experimental study of dual polarized radar return from the sea surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ermakov, S. A.; Kapustin, I. A.; Lavrova, O. Yu.; Molkov, A. A.; Sergievskaya, I. A.; Shomina, O. V.

2017-10-01

Dual-polarized microwave radars are of particular interest nowadays as perspective tool of ocean remote sensing. Microwave radar backscattering at moderate and large incidence angles according to conventional models is determined by resonance (Bragg) surface waves typically of cm-scale wavelength range. Some recent experiments have indicated, however, that an additional, non Bragg component (NBC) contributes to the radar return. The latter is considered to occur due to wave breaking. At present our understanding of the nature of different components of radar return is still poor. This paper presents results of field experiment using an X-/C-/S-band Doppler radar operating at HH- and VVpolarizations. The intensity and radar Doppler shifts for Bragg and non Bragg components are retrieved from measurements of VV and HH radar returns. Analysis of a ratio of VV and HH radar backscatter - polarization ratio (PR) has demonstrated a significant role of a non Bragg component. NBC contributes significantly to the total radar backscatter, in particular, at moderate incidence angles (about 50-70 deg.) it is 2-3 times smaller than VV Bragg component and several times larger that HH Bragg component. Both NBC and BC depend on azimuth angle, being minimal for cross wind direction, but NBC is more isotropic than BC. It is obtained that velocities of scatterers retrieved from radar Doppler shifts are different for Bragg waves and for non Bragg component; NBC structures are "faster" than Bragg waves particularly for upwind radar observations. Bragg components propagate approximately with phase velocities of linear gravity-capillary waves (when accounting for wind drift). Velocities of NBC scatterers depend on radar band, being the largest for S-band and the smallest at X-band, this means that different structures on the water surface are responsible for non Bragg scattering in a given radar band.

Simulation of an oil film at the sea surface and its radiometric properties in the SWIR

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schwenger, Frédéric; Van Eijk, Alexander M. J.

2017-10-01

The knowledge of the optical contrast of an oil layer on the sea under various surface roughness conditions is of great interest for oil slick monitoring techniques. This paper presents a 3D simulation of a dynamic sea surface contaminated by a floating oil film. The simulation considers the damping influence of oil on the ocean waves and its physical properties. It calculates the radiance contrast of the sea surface polluted by the oil film in relation to a clean sea surface for the SWIR spectral band. Our computer simulation combines the 3D simulation of a maritime scene (open clear sea/clear sky) with an oil film at the sea surface. The basic geometry of a clean sea surface is modeled by a composition of smooth wind driven gravity waves. Oil on the sea surface attenuates the capillary and short gravity waves modulating the wave power density spectrum of these waves. The radiance of the maritime scene is calculated in the SWIR spectral band with the emitted sea surface radiance and the specularly reflected sky radiance as components. Wave hiding and shadowing, especially occurring at low viewing angles, are considered. The specular reflection of the sky radiance at the clean sea surface is modeled by an analytical statistical bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) of the sea surface. For oil at the sea surface, a specific BRDF is used influenced by the reduced surface roughness, i.e., the modulated wave density spectrum. The radiance contrast of an oil film in relation to the clean sea surface is calculated for different viewing angles, wind speeds, and oil types characterized by their specific physical properties.

Titan's Surface Composition from Cassini VIMS Solar Occultation Observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McCord, Thomas; Hayne, Paul; Sotin, Christophe

2013-04-01

Titan's surface is obscured by a thick absorbing and scattering atmosphere, allowing direct observation of the surface within only a few spectral win-dows in the near-infrared, complicating efforts to identify and map geologi-cally important materials using remote sensing IR spectroscopy. We there-fore investigate the atmosphere's infrared transmission with direct measure-ments using Titan's occultation of the Sun as well as Titan's reflectance measured at differing illumination and observation angles observed by Cas-sini's Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS). We use two im-portant spectral windows: the 2.7-2.8-mm "double window" and the broad 5-mm window. By estimating atmospheric attenuation within these windows, we seek an empirical correction factor that can be applied to VIMS meas-urements to estimate the true surface reflectance and map inferred composi-tional variations. Applying the empirical corrections, we correct the VIMS data for the viewing geometry-dependent atmospheric effects to derive the 5-µm reflectance and 2.8/2.7-µm reflectance ratio. We then compare the cor-rected reflectances to compounds proposed to exist on Titan's surface. We propose a simple correction to VIMS Titan data to account for atmospheric attenuation and diffuse scattering in the 5-mm and 2.7-2.8 mm windows, generally applicable for airmass < 3.0. We propose a simple correction to VIMS Titan data to account for atmospheric attenuation and diffuse scatter-ing in the 5-mm and 2.7-2.8 mm windows, generally applicable for airmass < 3.0. The narrow 2.75-mm absorption feature, dividing the window into two sub-windows, present in all on-planet measurements is not present in the occultation data, and its strength is reduced at the cloud tops, suggesting the responsible molecule is concentrated in the lower troposphere or on the sur-face. Our empirical correction to Titan's surface reflectance yields properties shifted closer to water ice for the majority of the low-to-mid latitude area covered by VIMS measurements. Four compositional units are defined and mapped on Titan's surface based on the positions of data clusters in 5-mm vs. 2.8/2.7-mm scatter plots; a simple ternary mixture of H2O, hydrocarbons and CO2 might explain the reflectance properties of these surface units. The vast equatorial "dune seas" are compositionally very homogeneous, perhaps suggesting transport and mixing of particles over very large distances and/or and very consistent formation process and source material. The composi-tional branch characterizing Tui Regio and Hotei Regio is consistent with a mixture of typical Titan hydrocarbons and CO2, or possibly methane/ethane; the concentration mechanism proposed is something similar to a terrestrial playa lake evaporate deposit, based on the fact that river channels are known to feed into at least Hotei Regio.

Past sea-level data from Lakse Bugt, Disko Island, West Greenland from ground-penetrating radar data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Souza, Priscila E.; Nielsen, Lars; Kroon, Aart; Clemmensen, Lars B.

2016-04-01

Beach-ridge deposits have been used as sea-level indicators in numerous studies from temperate coastal regions. However, their present surface morphology in artic regions may not accurately correspond to past sea-level, because subsequent surface erosion, solifluction processes and/or later sediment deposition may have altered the surface significantly. The internal structure of these beach ridges, however, is often well-preserved and thus constitutes an important key to reconstruction of past sea levels as seen elsewhere. In the present study, high-resolution reflection GPR data and high-precision topographic data were collected at Lakse Bugt (Disko Island, West Greenland) using a shielded 250 MHz antennae system and a RTK-Trimble R8 DGPS, respectively. Three transects were collected across a sequence of fossil, raised beach ridge deposits, and two transects were obtained across modern beach deposits at the shoreline of the mesotidal regime. Along all radar profiles we observed downlap reflection points, which we interpret to represent the boundary between sediments deposited on the beachface and sediments deposited in the upper shoreface regime. Both the upper shoreface and the beachface deposits exhibit reflection patterns dipping in the seaward direction. The beachface deposits show the strongest dip. At or just below the downlap points strong diffractions are often observed indicating the presence of a layer containing stones. These stones are large enough to generate significant signal scattering. At the present day beach a sharp transition defined by the presence of large stones is observed near the low tide water level: cobbles characterize the seaside, while the land side is characterized by sand and gravel. Therefore, it seems reasonable to conclude that downlap points observed in the GPR data serve as indicators of past low-tide levels (at the time of deposition). The downlap points show a consistent offset with respect to present surface topography indicating that the beach ridge deposits are well-preserved in our study area. Samples taken for OSL dating have not been dated yet. Instead, a first order age model for the investigated area is based on extrapolation of dating made by others at different sites on Disko Island. This extrapolated age model is used in a first attempt to reconstruct relative sea-level change at Lakse Bugt.

Perturbation Theory for Scattering from Multilayers with Randomly Rough Fractal Interfaces: Remote Sensing Applications.

PubMed

Imperatore, Pasquale; Iodice, Antonio; Riccio, Daniele

2017-12-27

A general, approximate perturbation method, able to provide closed-form expressions of scattering from a layered structure with an arbitrary number of rough interfaces, has been recently developed. Such a method provides a unique tool for the characterization of radar response patterns of natural rough multilayers. In order to show that, here, for the first time in a journal paper, we describe the application of the developed perturbation theory to fractal interfaces; we then employ the perturbative method solution to analyze the scattering from real-world layered structures of practical interest in remote sensing applications. We focus on the dependence of normalized radar cross section on geometrical and physical properties of the considered scenarios, and we choose two classes of natural stratifications: wet paleosoil covered by a low-loss dry sand layer and a sea-ice layer above water with dry snow cover. Results are in accordance with the experimental evidence available in the literature for the low-loss dry sand layer, and they may provide useful indications about the actual ability of remote sensing instruments to perform sub-surface sensing for different sensor and scene parameters.

Perturbation Theory for Scattering from Multilayers with Randomly Rough Fractal Interfaces: Remote Sensing Applications

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

A general, approximate perturbation method, able to provide closed-form expressions of scattering from a layered structure with an arbitrary number of rough interfaces, has been recently developed. Such a method provides a unique tool for the characterization of radar response patterns of natural rough multilayers. In order to show that, here, for the first time in a journal paper, we describe the application of the developed perturbation theory to fractal interfaces; we then employ the perturbative method solution to analyze the scattering from real-world layered structures of practical interest in remote sensing applications. We focus on the dependence of normalized radar cross section on geometrical and physical properties of the considered scenarios, and we choose two classes of natural stratifications: wet paleosoil covered by a low-loss dry sand layer and a sea-ice layer above water with dry snow cover. Results are in accordance with the experimental evidence available in the literature for the low-loss dry sand layer, and they may provide useful indications about the actual ability of remote sensing instruments to perform sub-surface sensing for different sensor and scene parameters. PMID:29280979

Evaluation of paraxial forward scattering from intraocular lens with increased surface light scattering using goniophotometry and Hartmann-Shack wavefront aberrometry.

PubMed

Minami, Keiichiro; Maruyama, Yoko; Mihashi, Toshifumi; Miyata, Kazunori; Oshika, Tetsuro

2017-03-01

To evaluate the influence of increases in light scattering on intraocular lens (IOL) surfaces on paraxial forward scattering using goniophotometry and Hartmann-Shack wavefront aberrometry. Surface light scattering was reproduced experimentally by acceleratedly aging 4 intraocular lenses by 0, 3, 5, and 10 years each. Light scattering from both IOL surfaces was measured using Scheimpflug photography. The paraxial forward scattering from the aged IOLs was measured using a goniophotometer with a halogen light source (wavelength: 350-850 nm) and telecentric optics, and changes in the maximum intensity and full width at 10% of maximum intensity (FW10%) were evaluated. The influences on the retina image were examined using a Hartmann-Shack aberrometer (wavelength: 840 nm). The contrast and difference from the point spread function of the central centroids were evaluated. The mean surface light scattering from both IOL surfaces ranged from 30.0 to 118.3 computer compatible tape (CCT) and increased with each aging year. Evaluations using the goniophotometer and the Hartmann-Shack aberrometer showed no significant change in the paraxial forward scattering with the aging year (P > .45, Kruskal-Wallis test), and no association with the surface light scattering intensity was found (P > .75, Spearman rank correlation). This experimental study using aged IOLs demonstrated that surface light scattering does not influence paraxial forward scattering.

Engineering studies related to geodetic and oceanographic remote sensing using short pulse techniques

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miller, L. S.; Brown, G. S.; Hayne, G. S.

1973-01-01

For the Skylab S-193 radar altimeter, data processing flow charts and identification of calibration requirements and problem areas for defined S-193 altimeter experiments are presented. An analysis and simulation of the relationship between one particular S-193 measurement and the parameter of interest for determining the sea surface scattering cross-section are considered. For the GEOS-C radar altimeter, results are presented for system analyses pertaining to signal-to-noise ratio, pulse compression threshold behavior, altimeter measurement variance characteristics, desirability of onboard averaging, tracker bandwidth considerations, and statistical character of the altimeter data in relation to harmonic analysis properties of the geodetic signal.

Sea Surface Scattering of Radar Signals in Ku- and C-Bands: the Role of Breaking Waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Voronovich, A.; Zavorotny, V.

2001-05-01

A small-slope approximation (SSA) is used for numerical calculations of a radar backscattering cross section of the ocean surface for both Ku- and C-bands for wind speeds ranging from 5 m/s to 15 m/s as a function of an incident angle. Both the lowest order of the SSA and the one that includes the next-order correction to it are considered. The initial calculations were made assuming Gaussian statistics of sea surface and the Elfouhaily et al. surface-height spectrum for fully developed seas (T. Elfouhaily et al., J. Geophys. Res., vol.102, pp.15,781-15,796 (1997)). Empirical scattering models CMOD2-I3 and SASS-II are used for comparison. Theoretical calculations are in good overall agreement with the experiment, being within a 2 dB accuracy on average with a 3 dB maximal discrepancy. The only exception is HH-polarization in the upwind direction where discrepancies reach 5.7 dB for an incidence angle of 60{° }. Note that the SSA allows controlling the accuracy of calculations by comparing the results of the lowest order approximation with corrections originated from higher order terms. The discrepancy between our calculations and empirical data for HH polarization appears to be significantly larger then accuracy of the calculations. Hence, the reason for it should be attributed to the inadequate sea-roughness model. We have checked a hypothesis that steep waves are responsible for this effect. We assumed that the contribution from steep waves could be evaluated in the geometric optics approximation. This allowed us to retrieve the probability density function of large slopes based on comparison of theoretical calculations and experimental data for Ku-band at HH polarization. It was found that in the upwind direction this function could be approximated by a simple relationship: \\[ \\text{Log}_{10}P(a_{x},0) = -2.84 + 0.097ṡ U + 1.33ṡ a_{x}, \\] where U is wind speed in m/s and ax>0.8 is the appropriate slope. Note that such large slopes cannot belong to steady waves and rather correspond to breaking ones. Calculations were performed again for both bands and polarizations with the contribution from breakers included. Corrections to VV-polarization appeared to be relatively small, since the level of backscattering from the background roughness (without breakers) is large as compared to the case of HH-polarization. With the contribution from steep waves included, the backscattering cross section corresponds to experimental results within a 1-2 dB accuracy for winds ranging between 5 m/s and 15 m/s, for both polarizations in both wave bands. Another conclusion drawn from this research is that the Elfouhaily et al. spectrum seems to overestimate the spectral density by 2-4 dB in the case of short, centimeter-range, waves in the cross-wind direction for low winds.

Kinetic energy flux budget across air-sea interface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fan, Yalin; Hwang, Paul

2017-12-01

The kinetic energy (KE) fluxes into subsurface currents (EFc) is an important boundary condition for ocean circulation models. Traditionally, numerical models assume the KE flux from wind (EFair) is identical to EFc, that is, no net KE is gained (or lost) by surface waves. This assumption, however, is invalid when the surface wave field is not fully developed, and acquires KE when it grows in space or time. In this study, numerical experiments are performed to investigate the KE flux budget across the air-sea interface under both uniform and idealized tropical cyclone (TC) winds. The wave fields are simulated using the WAVEWATCH III model under different wind forcing. The difference between EFair and EFc is estimated using an air-sea KE budget model. To address the uncertainty of these estimates resides in the variation of source functions, two source function packages are used for this study: the ST4 source package (Ardhuin et al, 2010), and the ST6 source package (Babanin, 2011). The modeled EFc is significantly reduced relative to EFair under growing seas for both the uniform and TC experiments. The reduction can be as large as 20%, and the variation of this ratio is highly dependent on the choice of source function for the wave model. Normalized EFc are found to be consistent with analytical expressions by Hwang and Sletten (2008) and Hwang and Walsh (2016) and field observations by Terray et al. (1996) and Drennan et al. (1996), while the scatters are more widely in the TC cases due to the complexity of the associated wave field. The waves may even give up KE to subsurface currents in the left rear quadrant of fast moving storms. Our results also suggest that the normalized KE fluxes may depend on both wave age and friction velocity (u*).

Statistical characterization of short wind waves from stereo images of the sea surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mironov, Alexey; Yurovskaya, Maria; Dulov, Vladimir; Hauser, Danièle; Guérin, Charles-Antoine

2013-04-01

We propose a methodology to extract short-scale statistical characteristics of the sea surface topography by means of stereo image reconstruction. The possibilities and limitations of the technique are discussed and tested on a data set acquired from an oceanographic platform at the Black Sea. The analysis shows that reconstruction of the topography based on stereo method is an efficient way to derive non-trivial statistical properties of surface short- and intermediate-waves (say from 1 centimer to 1 meter). Most technical issues pertaining to this type of datasets (limited range of scales, lacunarity of data or irregular sampling) can be partially overcome by appropriate processing of the available points. The proposed technique also allows one to avoid linear interpolation which dramatically corrupts properties of retrieved surfaces. The processing technique imposes that the field of elevation be polynomially detrended, which has the effect of filtering out the large scales. Hence the statistical analysis can only address the small-scale components of the sea surface. The precise cut-off wavelength, which is approximatively half the patch size, can be obtained by applying a high-pass frequency filter on the reference gauge time records. The results obtained for the one- and two-points statistics of small-scale elevations are shown consistent, at least in order of magnitude, with the corresponding gauge measurements as well as other experimental measurements available in the literature. The calculation of the structure functions provides a powerful tool to investigate spectral and statistical properties of the field of elevations. Experimental parametrization of the third-order structure function, the so-called skewness function, is one of the most important and original outcomes of this study. This function is of primary importance in analytical scattering models from the sea surface and was up to now unavailable in field conditions. Due to the lack of precise reference measurements for the small-scale wave field, we could not quantify exactly the accuracy of the retrieval technique. However, it appeared clearly that the obtained accuracy is good enough for the estimation of second-order statistical quantities (such as the correlation function), acceptable for third-order quantities (such as the skwewness function) and insufficient for fourth-order quantities (such as kurtosis). Therefore, the stereo technique in the present stage should not be thought as a self-contained universal tool to characterize the surface statistics. Instead, it should be used in conjunction with other well calibrated but sparse reference measurement (such as wave gauges) for cross-validation and calibration. It then completes the statistical analysis in as much as it provides a snapshot of the three-dimensional field and allows for the evaluation of higher-order spatial statistics.

Radar Remote Sensing of Ice and Sea State and Air-Sea Interaction in the Marginal Ice Zone

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-09-30

1 DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A. Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. Radar Remote Sensing of Ice and Sea State and Air-Sea...Interaction in the Marginal Ice Zone Hans C. Graber RSMAS – Department of Ocean Sciences Center for Southeastern Tropical Advanced Remote Sensing...scattering and attenuation process of ocean waves interacting with ice . A nautical X-band radar on a vessel dedicated to science would be used to follow the

Classical theory of atom-surface scattering: The rainbow effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miret-Artés, Salvador; Pollak, Eli

2012-07-01

The scattering of heavy atoms and molecules from surfaces is oftentimes dominated by classical mechanics. A large body of experiments have gathered data on the angular distributions of the scattered species, their energy loss distribution, sticking probability, dependence on surface temperature and more. For many years these phenomena have been considered theoretically in the framework of the “washboard model” in which the interaction of the incident particle with the surface is described in terms of hard wall potentials. Although this class of models has helped in elucidating some of the features it left open many questions such as: true potentials are clearly not hard wall potentials, it does not provide a realistic framework for phonon scattering, and it cannot explain the incident angle and incident energy dependence of rainbow scattering, nor can it provide a consistent theory for sticking. In recent years we have been developing a classical perturbation theory approach which has provided new insight into the dynamics of atom-surface scattering. The theory includes both surface corrugation as well as interaction with surface phonons in terms of harmonic baths which are linearly coupled to the system coordinates. This model has been successful in elucidating many new features of rainbow scattering in terms of frictions and bath fluctuations or noise. It has also given new insight into the origins of asymmetry in atomic scattering from surfaces. New phenomena deduced from the theory include friction induced rainbows, energy loss rainbows, a theory of super-rainbows, and more. In this review we present the classical theory of atom-surface scattering as well as extensions and implications for semiclassical scattering and the further development of a quantum theory of surface scattering. Special emphasis is given to the inversion of scattering data into information on the particle-surface interactions.

Classical theory of atom-surface scattering: The rainbow effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miret-Artés, Salvador; Pollak, Eli

The scattering of heavy atoms and molecules from surfaces is oftentimes dominated by classical mechanics. A large body of experiments have gathered data on the angular distributions of the scattered species, their energy loss distribution, sticking probability, dependence on surface temperature and more. For many years these phenomena have been considered theoretically in the framework of the "washboard model" in which the interaction of the incident particle with the surface is described in terms of hard wall potentials. Although this class of models has helped in elucidating some of the features it left open many questions such as: true potentials are clearly not hard wall potentials, it does not provide a realistic framework for phonon scattering, and it cannot explain the incident angle and incident energy dependence of rainbow scattering, nor can it provide a consistent theory for sticking. In recent years we have been developing a classical perturbation theory approach which has provided new insight into the dynamics of atom-surface scattering. The theory includes both surface corrugation as well as interaction with surface phonons in terms of harmonic baths which are linearly coupled to the system coordinates. This model has been successful in elucidating many new features of rainbow scattering in terms of frictions and bath fluctuations or noise. It has also given new insight into the origins of asymmetry in atomic scattering from surfaces. New phenomena deduced from the theory include friction induced rainbows, energy loss rainbows, a theory of super-rainbows, and more. In this review we present the classical theory of atom-surface scattering as well as extensions and implications for semiclassical scattering and the further development of a quantum theory of surface scattering. Special emphasis is given to the inversion of scattering data into information on the particle-surface interactions.

Sea Spray Aerosol Production over the North Atlantic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bates, T. S.; Quinn, P.

2017-12-01

Breaking waves on the ocean surface generate air bubbles that scavenge organic matter from the surrounding seawater. When injected into the atmosphere, these bubbles burst, yielding sea spray aerosol (SSA), a mixture of organic and inorganic compounds with the organic matter enriched relative to seawater. SSA mass is well documented as the dominant component of aerosol light scattering over the remote oceans. The importance of SSA number to marine boundary layer cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) is much less certain. During the Western Atlantic Climate Study cruises (WACS-1 - August 2012 and WACS-2 - May-June 2014) and the North Atlantic Aerosols and Marine Ecosystem Study cruises (NAAMES-1 - November 2015, NAAMES-2 - May 2016, and NAAMES-3 - September 2017), we generated and measured freshly emitted SSA using the Sea Sweep SSA generator. During the 2017 cruise we also generated SSA with a Marine Aerosol Reference Tank (MART). Using the data generated on these 5 cruises and a large database of remote marine boundary layer aerosol measurements we will address three questions during this presentation: 1 - Do phytoplankton ecosystems affect the organic enrichment of freshly emitted SSA?, 2 - Do plankton ecosystems affect the number production flux of SSA?, and 3 - Is SSA a significant source of atmospheric CCN?

Development of Oil Spill Monitoring System for the Black Sea, Caspian Sea and the Barents/Kara Seas (DEMOSS)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sandven, Stein; Kudriavtsev, Vladimir; Malinovsky, Vladimir; Stanovoy, Vladimir

2008-01-01

DEMOSS will develop and demonstrate elements of a marine oil spill detection and prediction system based on satellite Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and other space data. In addition, models for prediction of sea surface pollution drift will be developed and tested. The project implements field experiments to study the effect of artificial crude oil and oil derivatives films on short wind waves and multi-frequency (Ka-, Ku-, X-, and C-band) dual polarization radar backscatter power and Doppler shift at different wind and wave conditions. On the basis of these and other available experimental data, the present model of short wind waves and radar scattering will be improved and tested.A new approach for detection and quantification of the oil slicks/spills in satellite SAR images is developed that can discriminate human oil spills from biogenic slicks and look-alikes in the SAR images. New SAR images are obtained in coordination with the field experiments to test the detection algorithm. Satellite SAR images from archives as well as from new acquisitions will be analyzed for the Black/Caspian/Kara/Barents seas to investigate oil slicks/spills occurrence statistics.A model for oil spills/slicks transport and evolution is developed and tested in ice-infested arctic seas, including the Caspian Sea. Case studies using the model will be conducted to simulate drift and evolution of oil spill events observed in SAR images. The results of the project will be disseminated via scientific publications and by demonstration to users and agencies working with marine monitoring. The project lasts for two years (2007 - 2009) and is funded under INTAS Thematic Call with ESA 2006.

Polarized Optical Scattering Measurements of Metallic Nanoparticles on a Thin Film Silicon Wafer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Cheng-Yang; Liu, Tze-An; Fu, Wei-En

2009-09-01

Light scattering has shown its powerful diagnostic capability to characterize optical quality surfaces. In this study, the theory of bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) was used to analyze the metallic nanoparticles' sizes on wafer surfaces. The BRDF of a surface is defined as the angular distribution of radiance scattered by the surface normalized by the irradiance incident on the surface. A goniometric optical scatter instrument has been developed to perform the BRDF measurements on polarized light scattering on wafer surfaces for the diameter and distribution measurements of metallic nanoparticles. The designed optical scatter instrument is capable of distinguishing various types of optical scattering characteristics, which are corresponding to the diameters of the metallic nanoparticles, near surfaces by using the Mueller matrix calculation. The metallic nanoparticle diameter of measurement is 60 nm on 2 inch thin film wafers. These measurement results demonstrate that the polarization of light scattered by metallic particles can be used to determine the size of metallic nanoparticles on silicon wafers.

Sea Surface Temperature and Ocean Color Variability in the South China Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Conaty, A. P.

2001-12-01

The South China Sea is a marginal sea in the Southeast Asian region whose surface circulation is driven by monsoons and whose surface currents have complex seasonal patterns. Its rich natural resources and strategic location have made its small islands areas of political dispute among the neighboring nations. This study aims to show the seasonal and interannual variability of sea surface temperature and ocean color in South China Sea. It makes use of NOAA's Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) satellite data sets on sea surface temperature for the period 1981-2000 and NASA's Nimbus-7 Coastal Zone Color Scanner (CZCS) and Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) satellite data sets on pigment concentration (ocean color) for the period 1981-1996 and 1997-2000, respectively. Transect lines were drawn along several potential hotspot areas to show the variability in sea surface temperature and pigment concentration through time. In-situ data on sea surface temperature along South China Sea were likewise plotted to see the variability with time. Higher seasonal variability in sea surface temperature was seen at higher latitudes. Interannual variability was within 1-3 Kelvin. In most areas, pigment concentration was higher during northern hemisphere winter and autumn, after the monsoon rains, with a maximum of 30 milligrams per cubic meter.

Intercomparison of wind speeds inferred by the SASS, altimeter, and SMMR

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wentz, F. J.; Cardone, V. J.; Fedor, L. S.

1982-01-01

The operational theory, control algorithms, and comparisons with surface-determined wind speeds for the scatterometer (SASS), altimeter (ALT), and passive microwave radiometer (SMMR) on board the Seasat satellite are presented. Radiative scattering combining specular reflections and Bragg resonance scattering are noted to occur at tilting waves and sea foam, two conditions highly correlated with wind speed. SASS scans swaths of 70, 200, and 700 km from nadir, the SMMR covers a 150 km strip. Normalized radar sections are derived from the SASS and ALT telemetry, and brightness temperature from the SMMR. ALT winds were found to be biased about 3 m/sec low, while intercomparison between the SMMR and SASS data showed a mean difference of 0.3 m/sec with a standard deviation from measured winds of 1.7 m/sec or less. The effects of land thermal emissions, rain, and sun glint are discussed, and good viewing conditions are concluded to result in 2 m/sec accuracy.

Remote sensing of ocean currents. [Loop Current in Gulf of Mexico

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Maul, G. A. (Principal Investigator)

1974-01-01

The author has identified the following significant results. A time series of the Loop Current in the Gulf of Mexico, covering an annual cycle of growth, spreading, and decay, has been obtained in synchronization with ERTS-1. Computer enhanced images, which are necessary to extract useful oceanic information, show that the current can be observed either by color or sea state effects associated with the cyclonic boundary. The color effect relates to the spectral variations in the optical properties of the water and its suspended particles, and is studied by radiative transfer theory. Significant oceanic parameters identified are: the probability of forward scattering, and the ratio of scattering to total attenuation. Several spectra of upwelling diffuse light are computed as a function of the concentration of particles and yellow substance. These calculations compare favorably with experimental measurements and show that the ratio of channels method gives ambiguous interpretative results. These results are used to discuss features in images where surface measurements were obtained and are extended to tentative explanation in others.

Wideband Interferometric Sensing and Imaging Polarimetry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Verdi, James Salvatore; Kessler, Otto; Boerner, Wolfgang-Martin

1996-01-01

Wideband Interferometric Sensing and Imaging Polarimetry (WISIP) has become an important, indispensible tool in wide area military surveillance and global environmental monitoring of the terrestrial and planetary covers. It enables dynamic, real time optimal feature extraction of significant characteristics of desirable targets and/or target sections with simultaneous suppression of undesirable background clutter and propagation path speckle at hitherto unknown clarity and never before achieved quality. WISIP may be adopted to the detection, recognition, and identification (DRI) of any stationary, moving or vibrating targets or distributed scatterer segments versus arbitrary stationary, dynamical changing and/or moving geo-physical/ecological environments, provided the instantaneous 2x2 phasor and 4x4 power density matrices for forward propagation/backward scattering, respectively, can be measured with sufficient accuracy. For example, the DRI of stealthy, dynamically moving inhomogeneous volumetric scatter environments such as precipitation scatter, the ocean/sea/lake surface boundary layers, the littoral coastal surf zones, pack ice and snow or vegetative canopies, dry sands and soils, etc. can now be successfully realized. A comprehensive overview is presented on how these modern high resolution/precision, complete polarimetric co-registered signature sensing and imaging techniques, complemented by full integration of novel navigational electronic tools, such as DGPS, will advance electromagnetic vector wave sensing and imaging towards the limits of physical realization. Various examples utilizing the most recent image data take sets of airborne, space shuttle, and satellite imaging systems demonstrate the utility of WISIP.

Comparison of finite source and plane wave scattering from corrugated surfaces

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Levine, D. M.

1977-01-01

The choice of a plane wave to represent incident radiation in the analysis of scatter from corrugated surfaces was examined. The physical optics solution obtained for the scattered fields due to an incident plane wave was compared with the solution obtained when the incident radiation is produced by a source of finite size and finite distance from the surface. The two solutions are equivalent if the observer is in the far field of the scatterer and the distance from observer to scatterer is large compared to the radius of curvature at the scatter points, condition not easily satisfied with extended scatterers such as rough surfaces. In general, the two solutions have essential differences such as in the location of the scatter points and the dependence of the scattered fields on the surface properties. The implication of these differences to the definition of a meaningful radar cross section was examined.

Secondary sea-blue histiocytosis derived from Niemann-Pick disease.

PubMed

Suzuki, Osamu; Abe, Masafumi

2007-04-01

Sea-blue histiocytosis is a rare disorder seen in patients with lipid metabolic or ceroid storage diseases. Sea-blue histiocytes are ceroid-laden macrophages detectable by May-Giemsa staining. We report a case of a 28-year-old woman diagnosed with Niemann-Pick disease at 2 or 3 years of age. To confirm this diagnosis, we examined her bone marrow, which revealed scattered foci containing aggregates of foamy macrophages. May-Giemsa staining identified blue-staining foamy macrophages, referred to as sea-blue histiocytes. In summary, we report the detection of sea-blue histiocytosis in an adult with Niemann-Pick disease.

Critical Reflectance Derived from MODIS: Application for the Retrieval of Aerosol Absorption over Desert Regions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wells, Kelley C.; Martins, J. Vanderlei; Remer, Lorraine A.; Kreidenweis, Sonia M.; Stephens, Graeme L.

2012-01-01

Aerosols are tiny suspended particles in the atmosphere that scatter and absorb sunlight. Smoke particles are aerosols, as are sea salt, particulate pollution and airborne dust. When you look down at the earth from space sometimes you can see vast palls of whitish smoke or brownish dust being transported by winds. The reason that you can see these aerosols is because they are reflecting incoming sunlight back to the view in space. The reason for the difference in color between the different types of aerosol is that the particles arc also absorbing sunlight at different wavelengths. Dust appears brownish or reddish because it absorbs light in the blue wavelengths and scatters more reddish light to space, Knowing how much light is scattered versus how much is absorbed, and knowin that as a function of wavelength is essential to being able to quantify the role aerosols play in the energy balance of the earth and in climate change. It is not easy measuring the absorption properties of aerosols when they are suspended in the atmosphere. People have been doing this one substance at a time in the laboratory, but substances mix when they are in the atmosphere and the net absorption effect of all the particles in a column of air is a goal of remote sensing that has not yet been completely successful. In this paper we use a technique based on observing the point at which aerosols change from brightening the surface beneath to darkening it. If aerosols brighten a surface. they must scatter more light to space. If they darken the surface. they must be absorbing more. That cross over point is called the critical reflectance and in this paper we show that critical reflectance is a monotonic function of the intrinsic absorption properties of the particles. This parameter we call the single scattering albedo. We apply the technique to MODIS imagery over the Sahara and Sahel regions to retrieve the single scattering albedo in seven wavelengths, compare these retrievals to ground-based retrievals from AERONET instruments and compute error bars on each retrieval. The results show that we can retrieve single scattering albedo for pure dust to within +/-0.02 and mixtures of dust and smoke to within +/-0.03. No other space based instrument has achieved a retrieval of single scattering albedo that spans the spectrum from 0.47 microns to 2.13 microns and produces regional maps of aerosol absorption showing gradients and changes. Applied in a more operational fashion, such information will narrow uncertainties in estimating aerosol forcing on climate.

Laser measure of sea salinity, temperature and turbidity in depth

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hirschberg, J. G.; Wouters, A. W.; Byrne, J. D.

1974-01-01

A method is described in which a pulsed laser is used to probe the sea. Backscattered light is analyzed in time, intensity and wavelength. Tyndall, Raman and Brillouin scattering are used to obtain the backscatter turbidity, sound velocity, salinity, and the temperature as a function of depth.

Active microwave measurements of sea ice under fall conditions: The RADARSAT/FIREX fall experiment. [in the Canadian Arctic

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Onstott, R. G.; Kim, Y. S.; Moore, R. K.

1984-01-01

A series of measurements of the active microwave properties of sea ice under fall growing conditions was conducted. Ice in the inland waters of Mould Bay, Crozier Channel, and intrepid inlet and ice in the Arctic Ocean near Hardinge Bay was investigated. Active microwave data were acquired using a helicopter borne scatterometer. Results show that multiyear ice frozen in grey or first year ice is easily detected under cold fall conditions. Multiyear ice returns were dynamic due to response to two of its scene constituents. Floe boundaries between thick and thin ice are well defined. Multiyear pressure ridge returns are similar in level to background ice returns. Backscatter from homogeneous first year ice is seen to be primarily due to surface scattering. Operation at 9.6 GHz is more sensitive to the detailed changes in scene roughness, while operation at 5.6 GHz seems to track roughness changes less ably.

Trace determination of thiram using SERS-active hollow sea-urchin gold nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Guanghui; Zhang, Chuankun; Ma, Yanan; Wang, Zheng; Wang, Shun; Xu, Chan; Wang, Dashuang

2017-04-01

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is greatly structure-dependent on the absorbed nanoparticles. Nanostructures with different novel morphologies show different Raman enhancement factor orders of magnitude. Herein, a unique nanostructure with fruitful SERS-active sites, composed of hollow interiors and thorns which named as hollow sea-urchin gold nanoparticles (HSU-GNPs), was synthesized by using a one-pot galvanic replacement method. And the corresponding morphologies and optical properties were characterized by TEM images and absorption spectra. Importantly, the synthetic parameters of HSU-GNPs were optimized to obtain a superior SERS performance by analyzing the formation mechanism and the SERS spectra of R6G-labeled HSU-GNPs which obtained at different concentrations of AgNO3. Furthermore, the SERS-based application of HSU-GNPs was performed on the dose-response detection of thiram. The experimental result shows this detection strategy is available for thiram with decent sensitivity and reproducibility, which suggests that it is an excellent candidate for the detection of pesticides.

Thermal evolutions of two kinds of melt pond with different salinity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Joo-Hong; Wilkinson, Jeremy; Moon, Woosok; Hwang, Byongjun; Granskog, Mats

2016-04-01

Melt ponds are water pools on sea ice. Their formation reduces ice surface albedo and alter surface energy balance, by which the ice melting and freezing processes are regulated. Thus, better understanding of their radiative characteristics has been vital to improve the simulation of melting/freezing of sea ice in numerical models. A melt pond would preserve nearly fresh water if it formed on multi-year ice and no flooding of sea water occurred, whereas a melt pond would contain more salty water if it formed on thinner and porous first-year ice, if there were an inflow of sea water by streams or cracks. One would expect that the fluid dynamic/thermodynamic properties (e.g., turbulence, stability, etc.) of pond water are influenced by the salinity, so that the response of pond water to any heat input (e.g., shortwave radiation) would be different. Therefore, better understanding of the salinity-dependent thermal evolution also has significant potential to improve the numerical simulation of the sea ice melting/freezing response to radiative thermal forcing. To observe and understand the salinity-dependent thermal evolution, two ice mass balance buoys (IMBs) were deployed in two kinds (fresh and salty) of melt pond on a same ice floe on 13 August 2015 during Araon Arctic cruise. The thermistor chain, extending from the air through the pond and ice into the sea water, was deployed through a drilled borehole inside the pond. Besides, the IMBs were also accompanied with three broadband solar radiation sensors (two (up and down) in the air over melt pond and one upward-looking under sea ice) to measure the net shortwave radiation at the pond surface and the penetrating solar radiation through ice. Also, the web camera was installed to observe any updates in the conditions of equipment and surrounding environment (e.g., weather, surface state, etc.). On the date of deployment, the fresh pond had salinity of 2.3 psu, light blue color, lots of slush ice particles which increased opacity, and under-pond ice thickness of 219 cm, whereas the salty pond had salinity of 20 psu, dark blue color, only transparent water, and under-pond ice thickness of 100 cm. Temporal evolutions of mean water temperature of the two ponds are contrasted and showed that the fresh pond had about 1degC warmer temperature than the salty pond. The existence of slush ice particles in the pond seems to be responsible for this temperature difference. Multiple scattering by slush ice particles could lead to more absorption of shortwave radiation. A comparison of vertical profiles of water temperature shows that there existed an internal maximum heating layer in the fresh pond. Possibly, this profile might indicate the the below layer unstable, which might have efficient thermal propagation to the ice surface. On the other hand, the vertical temperature profile of the salty pond had internal thermocline near the pond bottom, but so that the upper heating may not efficiently propagate downward to the ice surface.

Determination of particles concentration in Black Sea waters from spectral beam attenuation coefficient

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Korchemkina, E. N.; Latushkin, A. A.; Lee, M. E.

2017-11-01

The methods of determination of concentration and scattering by suspended particles in seawater are compared. The methods considered include gravimetric measurements of the mass concentration of suspended matter, empirical and analytical calculations based on measurements of the light beam attenuation coefficient (BAC) in 4 spectral bands, calculation of backscattering by particles using satellite measurements in the visible spectral range. The data were obtained in two cruises of the R/V "Professor Vodyanitsky" in the deep-water part of the Black Sea in July and October 2016., Spatial distribution of scattering by marine particles according to satellite data is in good agreement with the contact measurements.

COSMO-SkyMed measurements in precipitation over the sea: analysis of Louisiana summer thunderstorms by simultaneous weather radar observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roberto, N.; Baldini, L.; Gorgucci, E.; Facheris, L.; Chandrasekar, V.

2012-04-01

Radar signatures of rain cells are investigated using X-band synthetic aperture radar (X-SAR) images acquired from COSMO-SkyMed constellation over oceans off the coast of Louisiana in summer 2010 provided by ASI archive. COSMO-SkyMed (CSK) monitoring of Deepwater Horizon oil spill provided a big amount of data during the period April-September 2010 and in July-August when several thunderstorms occurred in that area. In X-SAR images, radar signatures of rain cells over the sea usually consist of irregularly shaped bright and dark patches. These signatures originate from 1) the scattering and attenuation of radiation by hydrometers in the rain cells and 2) the modification of the sea roughness induced by the impact of raindrops and by wind gusts associated with rain cell. However, the interpretation of precipitation signatures in X-SAR images is not completely straightforward, especially over sea. Coincident measurements from ground based radars and an electromagnetic (EM) model predicting radar returns from the sea surface corrugated by rainfall are used to support the analysis. A dataset consisting of 4 CSK images has been collected over Gulf of Mexico while a WSR-88D NEXRAD S-band Doppler radar (KLIX) located in New Orleans was scanning the nearby portion of ocean. Terrestrial measurements have been used to reconstruct the component of X-SAR returns due to precipitation by modifying the known technique applied on measurements over land (Fritz et al. 2010, Baldini et al. 2011). Results confirm that the attenuation signature in X-SAR images collected over land, particularly pronounced in the presence of heavy precipitation cells, can be related to the S-band radar reflectivity integrated along the same path. The Normalized Radar Cross Section (NRCS) of land is considered to vary usually up to a few dBs in case of rain but with strong dependency on the specific type and conditions of land cover. While the NRCS of sea surface in clear weather condition can be considered as constant, in case of rain, at X-SAR incidence angles, it exhibits a dependence to precipitation event due the combined effects of corrugation due to the impinging raindrops and to the surface wind. Therefore, when retrieving of X-SAR NRCS in precipitation over the sea, this effect must be accounted for and can be quantified based on the precipitation event using a simple NRCS surface model. In this work, an EM model based on Bahar's Full Wave Model is used for evaluating such NRCS depending on polarization, frequency and incidence angle for different values of wind velocity and the root mean square height of the corrugation induced by rainfall. The reconstruction of X-SAR returns in precipitation is finally obtained by joint utilization of volume reflectivity and attenuation estimated from KLIX and the sea NRCS model.

Dependence of the microwave radar cross section on ocean surface variables: Comparison of measurements and theory using data from the Frontal Air-Sea Interaction Experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weissman, David E.

1990-03-01

The purpose of this investigation was to study the ability of theoretical radar cross section (RCS) models to predict the absolute magnitude of the ocean radar cross section under a wide variety of sea and atmospheric conditions. The dependence of the RCS on wind stress (as opposed to wind speed) was also studied. An extensive amount of experimental data was acquired during the Frontal Air-Sea Interaction Experiment (FASINEX). This consisted of RCS data from the NASA-Jet Propulsion Laboratory Ku band scatterometer mounted on a C130 aircraft (10 separate flights), as well as a wide variety of atmospheric measurements (including stress) and sea conditions. Measurements across an ocean front demonstrated that the vertical polarization (V-pol) and horizontal polarization (H-pol) radar cross section were more strongly dependent on wind stress than on wind magnitude. Current theoretical models for the RCS, based on stress, were tested with this data. In situations where the Bragg scattering theory does not agree with the measured radar cross section (magnitude and angle dependence), revisions are hypothesized and evaluated. For example, the V-pol theory worked well in most cases studied, while the H-pol theory was usually too low by about a factor of 2 at incidence angles of 50° and 60°.

A Numerical Simulation of Scattering from One-Dimensional Inhomogeneous Dielectric Random Surfaces

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sarabandi, Kamal; Oh, Yisok; Ulaby, Fawwaz T.

1996-01-01

In this paper, an efficient numerical solution for the scattering problem of inhomogeneous dielectric rough surfaces is presented. The inhomogeneous dielectric random surface represents a bare soil surface and is considered to be comprised of a large number of randomly positioned dielectric humps of different sizes, shapes, and dielectric constants above an impedance surface. Clods with nonuniform moisture content and rocks are modeled by inhomogeneous dielectric humps and the underlying smooth wet soil surface is modeled by an impedance surface. In this technique, an efficient numerical solution for the constituent dielectric humps over an impedance surface is obtained using Green's function derived by the exact image theory in conjunction with the method of moments. The scattered field from a sample of the rough surface is obtained by summing the scattered fields from all the individual humps of the surface coherently ignoring the effect of multiple scattering between the humps. The statistical behavior of the scattering coefficient sigma(sup 0) is obtained from the calculation of scattered fields of many different realizations of the surface. Numerical results are presented for several different roughnesses and dielectric constants of the random surfaces. The numerical technique is verified by comparing the numerical solution with the solution based on the small perturbation method and the physical optics model for homogeneous rough surfaces. This technique can be used to study the behavior of scattering coefficient and phase difference statistics of rough soil surfaces for which no analytical solution exists.

Numerical reproduction and explanation of road surface mirages under grazing-angle scattering.

PubMed

Lu, Jia; Zhou, Huaichun

2017-07-01

The mirror-like reflection image of the road surface under grazing-angle scattering can be easily observed in daily life. It was suggested that road surface mirages may occur due to a light-enhancing effect of the rough surface under grazing-angle scattering. The main purpose of this work is to explain the light-enhancing mechanism of rough surfaces under grazing-angle scattering. The off-specular reflection from a random rough magnesium oxide ceramic surface is analyzed by using the geometric optics approximation method. Then, the geometric optics approximation method is employed to develop a theoretical model to predict the observation effect of the grazing-angle scattering phenomenon of the road surface. The rough surface is assumed to consist of small-scale rough surface facets. The road surface mirage is reproduced from a large number of small-scale rough surface facets within the eye's resolution limit at grazing scattering angles, as the average bidirectional reflectance distribution function value at the bright location is about twice that of the surface in front of the mirage. It is suggested that the light-enhancing effect of the rough surface under grazing-angle scattering is not proper to be termed as "off-specular reflection," since it has nothing to do with the "specular" direction with respect to the incident direction.

Deep Sea Frontiers: Aid In Preparing a Book MS for Publication

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-09-30

about 200 m, are increasingly low levels of sunlight absorbed and scattered by the water column. As a result little or no photosynthetic...fish carcasses that reach the bottom from upper levels of the sea. To find this random, but crucial, manna, they must actively and effectively search...sea level , the thermodynamic p delta V element of the reaction kinetics is ignored because its contribution is nearly zero. But if metabolic

Characterizing near-surface firn using the scattered signal component of the glacier surface return from airborne radio-echo sounding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rutishauser, Anja; Grima, Cyril; Sharp, Martin; Blankenship, Donald D.; Young, Duncan A.; Cawkwell, Fiona; Dowdeswell, Julian A.

2016-12-01

We derive the scattered component (hereafter referred to as the incoherent component) of glacier surface echoes from airborne radio-echo sounding measurements over Devon Ice Cap, Arctic Canada, and compare the scattering distribution to firn stratigraphy observations from ground-based radar data. Low scattering correlates to laterally homogeneous firn above 1800 m elevation containing thin, flat, and continuous ice layers and below 1200 m elevation where firn predominantly consists of ice. Increased scattering between elevations of 1200-1800 m corresponds to firn with inhomogeneous, undulating ice layers. No correlation was found to surface roughness and its theoretical incoherent backscattering values. This indicates that the scattering component is mainly influenced by the near-surface firn stratigraphy, whereas surface roughness effects are minor. Our results suggest that analyzing the scattered signal component of glacier surface echoes is a promising approach to characterize the spatial heterogeneity of firn that is affected by melting and refreezing processes.

Assessment of Cloud Screening with Apparent Surface Reflectance in Support of the ICESat-2 Mission

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yang, Yuekui; Marshak, Alexander; Palm, Stephen P.; Wang, Zhuosen; Schaaf, Crystal

2011-01-01

The separation of cloud and clear scenes is usually one of the first steps in satellite data analysis. Before deriving a geophysical product, almost every satellite mission requires a cloud mask to label a scene as either clear or cloudy through a cloud detection procedure. For clear scenes, products such as surface properties may be retrieved; for cloudy scenes, scientist can focus on studying the cloud properties. Hence the quality of cloud detection directly affects the quality of most satellite operational and research products. This is certainly true for the Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite-2 (lCESat-2), which is the successor to the ICESat-l. As a top priority mission, ICESat-2 will continue to provide measurements of ice sheets and sea ice elevation on a global scale. Studies have shown that clouds can significantly affect the accuracy of the retrieved results. For example, some of the photons (a photon is a basic unit of light) in the laser beam will be scattered by cloud particles on its way. So instead of traveling in a straight line, these photons are scattered sideways and have traveled a longer path. This will result in biases in ice sheet elevation measurements. Hence cloud screening must be done and be done accurately before the retrievals.

Characterizing near-surface firn from the scattered signal component of glacier surface reflections detected in airborne radio-echo sounding measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rutishauser, A.; Grima, C.; Sharp, M. J.; Blankenship, D. D.; Young, D. A.; Cawkwell, F.; Dowdeswell, J. A.

2016-12-01

With recent summer warming, surface melt on Canadian Arctic ice caps has intensified and extended to higher elevations in ice cap accumulation areas. Consequently, more meltwater percolates into the near-surface firn, and refreezes as ice layers where firn temperatures are below freezing. This process can increase firn densification rates, causing a lowering of the glacier surface height even in the absence of mass changes. Thus, knowledge of spatio-temporal variations in the near-surface firn stratigraphy is important for interpreting altimetrically-derived estimates of ice cap mass balance. We investigate the use of the scattering signal component of glacier surface reflections in airborne radio-echo sounding (RES) measurements to characterize the near-surface firn stratigraphy. The scattering signal distribution over Devon Ice Cap is compared to firn stratigraphy derived from ground-based radar data. We identify three distinct firn facies zones at different elevation ranges. The scattered signal component changes significantly between the different firn facies zones: low scattering correlates to laterally homogeneous firn containing thin, flat and continuous ice layers at elevations above 1800 m and below 1200 m, where firn consists mainly of ice. Higher scattering values are found from 1200-1800 m where the firn contains discrete, undulating ice layers. No correlation was found between the scattering component and surface roughness. Modelled scattering values for the measured roughness were significantly less than the observed values, and did not reproduce their observed spatial distribution. This indicates that the scattering component is determined mainly by the structure of near-surface firn. Our results suggest that the scattering component of surface reflections from airborne RES measurements has potential for characterizing heterogeneity in the spatial structure of firn that is affected by melting and refreezing processes.

NASA CYGNSS Satellite Measurements and Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murray, J. J.; Ruf, C. S.; Baker, N. L.; Green, D. S.; Stough, T.

2017-12-01

NASA launched the CYGNSS mission 15 December 2016 which comprises a constellation of eight satellites flying in a low inclination (tropical) Earth orbit. Each satellite measures up to four independent GPS signals scattered by the ocean, to obtain surface roughness, near surface wind speed, and air-sea latent heat flux. Utilizing such a large number of satellites, these measurements which are uniquely able to penetrate clouds and heavy precipitation, allows CYGNSS to frequently sample tropical cyclone intensification and of the diurnal cycle of winds. Additionally, data retrievals over land have proven effective to map surface water and soil moisture. Engineering commissioning of the constellation was successfully completed in March 2017 and the mission is now conducting science measurements. An overview of the CYGNSS system, mission and measurement concept will be presented, together with highlights of early on-orbit performance. Scientific results obtained during the 2017 hurricane season and featured at the NASA CYGNSS Applications Workshop in Monterey, CA 31 October - 2 November 2, 2017 will also be presented.

Updated MISR Dark Water Research Aerosol Retrieval Algorithm - Part 1: Coupled 1.1 km Ocean Surface Chlorophyll a Retrievals with Empirical Calibration Corrections

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Limbacher, James A.; Kahn, Ralph A.

2017-01-01

As aerosol amount and type are key factors in the 'atmospheric correction' required for remote-sensing chlorophyll alpha concentration (Chl) retrievals, the Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) can contribute to ocean color analysis despite a lack of spectral channels optimized for this application. Conversely, an improved ocean surface constraint should also improve MISR aerosol-type products, especially spectral single-scattering albedo (SSA) retrievals. We introduce a coupled, self-consistent retrieval of Chl together with aerosol over dark water. There are time-varying MISR radiometric calibration errors that significantly affect key spectral reflectance ratios used in the retrievals. Therefore, we also develop and apply new calibration corrections to the MISR top-of-atmosphere (TOA) reflectance data, based on comparisons with coincident MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) observations and trend analysis of the MISR TOA bidirectional reflectance factors (BRFs) over three pseudo-invariant desert sites. We run the MISR research retrieval algorithm (RA) with the corrected MISR reflectances to generate MISR-retrieved Chl and compare the MISR Chl values to a set of 49 coincident SeaBASS (SeaWiFS Bio-optical Archive and Storage System) in situ observations. Where Chl(sub in situ) less than 1.5 mg m(exp -3), the results from our Chl model are expected to be of highest quality, due to algorithmic assumption validity. Comparing MISR RA Chl to the 49 coincident SeaBASS observations, we report a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.86, a root-mean-square error (RMSE) of 0.25, and a median absolute error (MAE) of 0.10. Statistically, a two-sample Kolmogorov- Smirnov test indicates that it is not possible to distinguish between MISR Chl and available SeaBASS in situ Chl values (p greater than 0.1). We also compare MODIS-Terra and MISR RA Chl statistically, over much broader regions. With about 1.5 million MISR-MODIS collocations having MODIS Chl less than 1.5 mg m(exp -3), MISR and MODIS show very good agreement: r = 0.96, MAE = 0.09, and RMSE = 0.15. The new dark water aerosol/Chl RA can retrieve Chl in low-Chl, case I waters, independent of other imagers such as MODIS, via a largely physical algorithm, compared to the commonly applied statistical ones. At a minimum, MISR's multi-angle data should help reduce uncertainties in the MODIS-Terra ocean color retrieval where coincident measurements are made, while also allowing for a more robust retrieval of particle properties such as spectral single-scattering albedo.

Updated MISR dark water research aerosol retrieval algorithm - Part 1: Coupled 1.1 km ocean surface chlorophyll a retrievals with empirical calibration corrections

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Limbacher, James A.; Kahn, Ralph A.

2017-04-01

As aerosol amount and type are key factors in the atmospheric correction required for remote-sensing chlorophyll a concentration (Chl) retrievals, the Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) can contribute to ocean color analysis despite a lack of spectral channels optimized for this application. Conversely, an improved ocean surface constraint should also improve MISR aerosol-type products, especially spectral single-scattering albedo (SSA) retrievals. We introduce a coupled, self-consistent retrieval of Chl together with aerosol over dark water. There are time-varying MISR radiometric calibration errors that significantly affect key spectral reflectance ratios used in the retrievals. Therefore, we also develop and apply new calibration corrections to the MISR top-of-atmosphere (TOA) reflectance data, based on comparisons with coincident MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) observations and trend analysis of the MISR TOA bidirectional reflectance factors (BRFs) over three pseudo-invariant desert sites. We run the MISR research retrieval algorithm (RA) with the corrected MISR reflectances to generate MISR-retrieved Chl and compare the MISR Chl values to a set of 49 coincident SeaBASS (SeaWiFS Bio-optical Archive and Storage System) in situ observations. Where Chlin situ < 1.5 mg m-3, the results from our Chl model are expected to be of highest quality, due to algorithmic assumption validity. Comparing MISR RA Chl to the 49 coincident SeaBASS observations, we report a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.86, a root-mean-square error (RMSE) of 0.25, and a median absolute error (MAE) of 0.10. Statistically, a two-sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov test indicates that it is not possible to distinguish between MISR Chl and available SeaBASS in situ Chl values (p > 0.1). We also compare MODIS-Terra and MISR RA Chl statistically, over much broader regions. With about 1.5 million MISR-MODIS collocations having MODIS Chl < 1.5 mg m-3, MISR and MODIS show very good agreement: r = 0. 96, MAE = 0.09, and RMSE = 0.15. The new dark water aerosol/Chl RA can retrieve Chl in low-Chl, case I waters, independent of other imagers such as MODIS, via a largely physical algorithm, compared to the commonly applied statistical ones. At a minimum, MISR's multi-angle data should help reduce uncertainties in the MODIS-Terra ocean color retrieval where coincident measurements are made, while also allowing for a more robust retrieval of particle properties such as spectral single-scattering albedo.

Three-Dimensional Electromagnetic Scattering from Layered Media with Rough Interfaces for Subsurface Radar Remote Sensing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Duan, Xueyang

The objective of this dissertation is to develop forward scattering models for active microwave remote sensing of natural features represented by layered media with rough interfaces. In particular, soil profiles are considered, for which a model of electromagnetic scattering from multilayer rough surfaces with or without buried random media is constructed. Starting from a single rough surface, radar scattering is modeled using the stabilized extended boundary condition method (SEBCM). This method solves the long-standing instability issue of the classical EBCM, and gives three-dimensional full wave solutions over large ranges of surface roughnesses with higher computational efficiency than pure numerical solutions, e.g., method of moments (MoM). Based on this single surface solution, multilayer rough surface scattering is modeled using the scattering matrix approach and the model is used for a comprehensive sensitivity analysis of the total ground scattering as a function of layer separation, subsurface statistics, and sublayer dielectric properties. The buried inhomogeneities such as rocks and vegetation roots are considered for the first time in the forward scattering model. Radar scattering from buried random media is modeled by the aggregate transition matrix using either the recursive transition matrix approach for spherical or short-length cylindrical scatterers, or the generalized iterative extended boundary condition method we developed for long cylinders or root-like cylindrical clusters. These approaches take the field interactions among scatterers into account with high computational efficiency. The aggregate transition matrix is transformed to a scattering matrix for the full solution to the layered-medium problem. This step is based on the near-to-far field transformation of the numerical plane wave expansion of the spherical harmonics and the multipole expansion of plane waves. This transformation consolidates volume scattering from the buried random medium with the scattering from layered structure in general. Combined with scattering from multilayer rough surfaces, scattering contributions from subsurfaces and vegetation roots can be then simulated. Solutions of both the rough surface scattering and random media scattering are validated numerically, experimentally, or both. The experimental validations have been carried out using a laboratory-based transmit-receive system for scattering from random media and a new bistatic tower-mounted radar system for field-based surface scattering measurements.

SAR Polarimetry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

vanZyl, Jakob J.

2012-01-01

Radar Scattering includes: Surface Characteristics, Geometric Properties, Dielectric Properties, Rough Surface Scattering, Geometrical Optics and Small Perturbation Method Solutions, Integral Equation Method, Magellan Image of Pancake Domes on Venus, Dickinson Impact Crater on Venus (Magellan), Lakes on Titan (Cassini Radar, Longitudinal Dunes on Titan (Cassini Radar), Rough Surface Scattering: Effect of Dielectric Constant, Vegetation Scattering, Effect of Soil Moisture. Polarimetric Radar includes: Principles of Polarimetry: Field Descriptions, Wave Polarizations: Geometrical Representations, Definition of Ellipse Orientation Angles, Scatter as Polarization Transformer, Scattering Matrix, Coordinate Systems, Scattering Matrix, Covariance Matrix, Pauli Basis and Coherency Matrix, Polarization Synthesis, Polarimeter Implementation.

Influence of surface light scattering in hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lenses on laser beam transmittance.

PubMed

Shiraya, Tomoyasu; Kato, Satoshi; Minami, Keiichiro; Miyata, Kazunori

2017-02-01

The aim of this study was to experimentally examine the changes in the transmittances of photocoagulation lasers when surface light scattering increases in AcrySof intraocular lenses (IOLs). SA60AT IOLs (Alcon) were acceleratingly aging for 0, 3, 5, and 10 years to simulate surface light scattering, and the surface light-scattering intensities of both IOL surfaces were measured using a Scheimpflug photographer. The powers of laser beams that passed from a laser photocoagulator through the aged IOLs were measured at 532, 577, and 647 nm. Changes in the laser power and transmittance with the years of aging and the intensities of surface light scattering were examined. Although the intensity of surface light scattering increased with the years of aging, the laser power did not change with the years of aging (P > 0.30, Kruskal-Wallis test). There were no significant changes in the laser transmittance with the years of aging or the laser wavelength (P > 0.30 and 0.57, respectively). The intensity of surface light scattering revealed no significant association with the laser transmittance at any wavelength (P > 0.37, liner regression). The increases in the surface light scattering of the AcrySof IOLs would not influence retinal photocoagulation treatments for up to 10 years after implantation.

The Research on the Spectral Characteristics of Sea Fog Based on Caliop and Modis Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wan, J.; Su, J.; Liu, S.; Sheng, H.

2018-04-01

In view of that difficulty of distinguish between sea fog and low cloud by optical remote sensing mean, the research on spectral characteristics of sea fog is focused and carried out. The satellite laser radar CALIOP data and the high spectral MODIS data were obtained from May to December 2017, and the scattering coefficient and the vertical height information were extracted from the atmospheric attenuation of the lower star to extract the sea fog sample points, and the spectral response curve based on MODIS was formed to analyse the spectral response characteristics of the sea fog, thus providing a theoretical basis for the monitoring of sea fog with optical remote sensing image.

Characterization of Optical Properties of Desert Dust and Other Aerosols Using Postive Matrix Factorization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lihavainen, H.; Alghamdi, M.; Hyvärinen, A.; Hussein, T.; Neitola, K.; Khoder, M.; Abdelmaksoud, A. S.; Al-Jeelani, H.; Shabbaj, I. I.; Almehmadi, F. M.

2017-12-01

To derive the comprehensive aerosol in situ characteristics at a rural background area in Saudi Arabia, an aerosol measurements station was established to Hada Al Sham, 60 km east from the Red Sea and the city of Jeddah. The present sturdy describes the observational data from February 2013 to February 2015 of scattering and absorption coefficients, Ångström exponents and single scattering albedo over the measurement period. As expected, the scattering coefficient was dominated by large desert dust particles with low Ångström scattering exponent. Especially from February to June the Ångström scattering exponent was clearly lower and scattering coefficients higher than total averages because of the dust outbreak season. Aerosol optical properties had clear diurnal cycle. The lowest scattering and absorption coefficients and aerosol optical depths were observed around noon. The observed diurnal variation is caused by wind direction and speed, during night time very calm easterly winds are dominating whereas during daytime the stronger westerly winds are dominating (sea breeze). Positive Matrix Factorization mathematical tool was applied to the scattering and absorption coefficients and PM2.5 and coarse mode (PM10- PM2.5) mass concentrations to characterise aerosols from different sources. Analysis revealed three clearly different types of sources, anthropogenic, BC source and desert dust. These factors have clearly different seasonal and diurnal variation. The contribution of desert dust factor was dominating from February to May, whereas the contribution of anthropogenic factor is quite steady over the whole year. We estimated the mass absorption and scattering efficiencies for the factors and they agreed well with earlier observations. Hence, this method could be used to distinguish aerosol source characteristics, at least in fairly simple cases.

Multi-scale responses of scattering layers to environmental variability in Monterey Bay, California

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Urmy, Samuel S.; Horne, John K.

2016-07-01

A 38 kHz upward-facing echosounder was deployed on the seafloor at a depth of 875 m in Monterey Bay, CA, USA (36° 42.748‧N, 122° 11.214‧W) from 27 February 2009 to 18 August 2010. This 18-month record of acoustic backscatter was compared to oceanographic time series from a nearby data buoy to investigate the responses of animals in sound-scattering layers to oceanic variability at seasonal and sub-seasonal time scales. Pelagic animals, as measured by acoustic backscatter, moved higher in the water column and decreased in abundance during spring upwelling, attributed to avoidance of a shoaling oxycline and advection offshore. Seasonal changes were most evident in a non-migrating scattering layer near 500 m depth that disappeared in spring and reappeared in summer, building to a seasonal maximum in fall. At sub-seasonal time scales, similar responses were observed after individual upwelling events, though they were much weaker than the seasonal relationship. Correlations of acoustic backscatter with oceanographic variability also differed with depth. Backscatter in the upper water column decreased immediately following upwelling, then increased approximately 20 days later. Similar correlations existed deeper in the water column, but at increasing lags, suggesting that near-surface productivity propagated down the water column at 10-15 m d-1, consistent with sinking speeds of marine snow measured in Monterey Bay. Sub-seasonal variability in backscatter was best correlated with sea-surface height, suggesting that passive physical transport was most important at these time scales.

Fully reprocessed ERS-1 altimeter data from 1992 to 1995: Feasibility of the detection of long term sea level change

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anzenhofer, M.; Gruber, T.

1998-04-01

Global mean sea level observations are necessary to answer the urgent questions about climate changes and their impact on socio-economy. At GeoForschungsZentrum/Geman Processing and Archiving Facility ERS altimeter data is used to systematically generate geophysical products such as sea surface topography, high-resolution geoid and short- and long-period sea surface height models. On the basis of this experience, fully reprocessed ERS-1 altimeter data is used to generated a time series of monthly sea surface height models from April 1992 to April 1995. The reprocessing consists of improved satellite ephemerides, merging of Grenoble tidal model, and application of range corrections due to timing errors. With the new data set the TOPEX/POSEIDON prelaunch accuracy requirements are fulfilled. The 3-year time series is taken to estimate the rate of change of global mean sea level. A careful treatment of seasonal effects is considered. A masking of continents, sea ice, and suspect sea surface heights is chosen that is common for all sea surface height models. The obtained rate of change is compared to external results from tide gauge records and TOPEX/POSEIDON data. The relation of sea level changes and sea surface temperature variations is examined by means of global monthly sea surface temperature maps. Both global wind speed and wave height maps are investigated and correlated with sea surface heights and sea surface temperatures in order to find other indicators of climate variations. The obtained rate of changes of the various global maps is compared to an atmospheric CO2 anomaly record, which is highly correlated to El Niño events. The relatively short period of 3 years, however, does not allow definite conclusions with respect to possible long-term climate changes.

Impact of springtime biomass-burning aerosols on radiative forcing over northern Thailand during the 7SEAS campaign

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pani, Shantanu Kumar; Wang, Sheng-Hsiang; Lin, Neng-Huei; Lee, Chung-Te; Tsay, Si-Chee; Holben, Brent; Janjai, Serm; Hsiao, Ta-Chih; Chuang, Ming-Tung; Chantara, Somporn

2016-04-01

Biomass-burning (BB) aerosols are the significant contributor to the regional/global aerosol loading and radiation budgets. BB aerosols affect the radiation budget of the earth and atmosphere by scattering and absorbing directly the incoming solar and outgoing terrestrial radiation. These aerosols can exert either cooling or warming effect on climate, depending on the balance between scattering and absorption. BB activities in the form of wildland forest fires and agricultural crop burning are very pronounced in the Indochina peninsular regions in Southeast Asia mainly in spring (late February to April) season. The region of interest includes Doi Ang Khang (19.93° N, 99.05° E, 1536 msl) in northern Thailand, as part of the Seven South East Asian Studies (7-SEAS)/BASELInE (Biomass-burning Aerosols & Stratocumulus Environment: Lifecycles & Interactions Experiment) campaign in 2013. In this study, for the first time, the direct aerosol radiative effects of BB aerosols over near-source BB emissions, during the peak loading spring season, in northern Indochina were investigated by using ground-based physical, chemical, and optical properties of aerosols as well as the aerosol optical and radiative transfer models. Information on aerosol parameters in the field campaign was used in the OPAC (Optical Properties of Aerosols and Clouds) model to estimate various optical properties corresponding to aerosol compositions. Clear-sky shortwave direct aerosol radiative effects were further estimated with a raditive transfer model SBDART (Santa Barbara DISORT Atmospheric Radiative Transfer). The columnar aerosol optical depth (AOD500) was found to be ranged from 0.26 to 1.13 (with the mean value 0.71 ± 0.24). Fine-mode (fine mode fraction ≈0.98, angstrom exponent ≈1.8) and significantly absorbing aerosols (columnar single-scattering albedo ≈0.89, asymmetry-parameter ≈0.67 at 441 nm wavelength) dominated in this region. Water soluble and black carbon (BC) aerosols mainly dominate the both surface mass concentration and the columnar burden. The BC contributed only 6% to the aerosol mass loading, but its contribution to the total AOD and net atmospheric forcing were 12% and 75%, respectively. The mean radiative forcing was -6.8 to -8.7 W m-2 at the top-of-atmosphere and -28 to -33 W m-2 at surface. Furthermore BC aerosols contributed 45-49% to the surface radiative forcing along with the water soluble aerosols (49-52%), thus, significantly contributing to solar dimming

Light scatter on the surface of AcrySof intraocular lenses: part II. Analysis of lenses following hydrolytic stability testing.

PubMed

Yaguchi, Shigeo; Nishihara, Hitoshi; Kambhiranond, Waraporn; Stanley, Daniel; Apple, David

2008-01-01

To investigate the surface light scatter and optical quality of AcrySof lenses (Alcon Laboratories, Inc., Fort Worth, TX) following simulated aging of 20 years. AcrySof lenses were exposed to exaggerated thermal conditions to simulate up to 20 years of aging and were tested for surface light scatter and optical quality (modulation transfer function). There were no significant differences from baseline for either the surface light scatter or optical quality of the lenses over time. The current study demonstrated that surface light scatter on AcrySof lenses did not increase under conditions simulating 20 years of aging. Because the simulated aging environment contained no protein, this work indirectly supports the finding that surface light scatter is due to the deposition of a biomaterial on the lens surface rather than changes in the material. Optical performance integrity of the test lenses was maintained under severe environmental conditions.

Near-surface energy transfers from internal tide beams to smaller vertical scale motions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chou, S.; Staquet, C.; Carter, G. S.; Luther, D. S.

2016-02-01

Mechanical energy capable of causing diapycnal mixing in the ocean is transferred to the internal wave field when barotropic tides pass over underwater topography and generate internal tides. The resulting internal tide energy is confined in vertically limited structures, or beams. As internal tide beams (ITBs) propagate through regions of non-uniform stratification in the upper ocean, wave energy can be scattered through multiple reflections and refractions, be vertically trapped, or transferred to non-tidal frequencies through different nonlinear processes. Various observations have shown that ITBs are no longer detectable in horizontal kinetic energy beyond the first surface reflection. Importantly, this implies that some of the internal tide energy no longer propagates in to the abyssal ocean and consequently will not be available to maintain the density stratification. Using the NHM, a nonlinear and nonhydrostatic model based on the MITgcm, simulations of an ITB propagating up to the sea surface are examined in order to quantify the transformation of ITB energy to other motions. We compare and contrast the transformations enabled by idealized, smoothly-varying stratification with transformations enabled by realistic stratification containing a broad-band vertical wavenumber spectrum of variations. Preliminary two-dimensional results show that scattering due to small-scale structure in realistic stratification profiles from Hawaii can lead to energy being vertically trapped near the surface. Idealized simulations of "locally" generated internal solitary waves are analyzed in terms of energy flux transfers from the ITB to solitary waves, higher harmonics, and mean flow. The amount of internal tide energy which propagates back down after near-surface reflection of the ITB in different environments is quantified.

Exact first order scattering correction for vector radiative transfer in coupled atmosphere and ocean systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhai, Peng-Wang; Hu, Yongxiang; Josset, Damien B.; Trepte, Charles R.; Lucker, Patricia L.; Lin, Bing

2012-06-01

We have developed a Vector Radiative Transfer (VRT) code for coupled atmosphere and ocean systems based on the successive order of scattering (SOS) method. In order to achieve efficiency and maintain accuracy, the scattering matrix is expanded in terms of the Wigner d functions and the delta fit or delta-M technique is used to truncate the commonly-present large forward scattering peak. To further improve the accuracy of the SOS code, we have implemented the analytical first order scattering treatment using the exact scattering matrix of the medium in the SOS code. The expansion and truncation techniques are kept for higher order scattering. The exact first order scattering correction was originally published by Nakajima and Takana.1 A new contribution of this work is to account for the exact secondary light scattering caused by the light reflected by and transmitted through the rough air-sea interface.

Multipath induced errors in meteorological Doppler/interferometer location systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wallace, R. G.

1984-01-01

One application of an RF interferometer aboard a low-orbiting spacecraft to determine the location of ground-based transmitters is in tracking high-altitude balloons for meteorological studies. A source of error in this application is reflection of the signal from the sea surface. Through propagating and signal analysis, the magnitude of the reflection-induced error in both Doppler frequency measurements and interferometer phase measurements was estimated. The theory of diffuse scattering from random surfaces was applied to obtain the power spectral density of the reflected signal. The processing of the combined direct and reflected signals was then analyzed to find the statistics of the measurement error. It was found that the error varies greatly during the satellite overpass and attains its maximum value at closest approach. The maximum values of interferometer phase error and Doppler frequency error found for the system configuration considered were comparable to thermal noise-induced error.

Key roles of sea ice in inducing contrasting modes of glacial AMOC and climate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sherriff-Tadano, S.; Abe-Ouchi, A.

2017-12-01

Gaining a better understanding of glacial Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) is important to interpret the glacial climate changes such as the Heinrich event. Recent studies suggest that changes in sea ice over the North Atlantic largely affect the surface wind. Since changes in surface wind have a large impact on the AMOC, this implies a role of sea ice in modifying the AMOC though surface wind. However, the impact of sea ice on the surface winds and the impact of changes in the winds on the AMOC remain unclear. In this study, we first assess the impact of sea ice expansion on the winds. We then explore whether the changes in winds play a role in modifying the AMOC and climate. For this purpose, results from MIROC4m are analyzed (Kawamura et al. 2017). To clarify the impact of changes in sea ice on the surface wind, sensitivity experiments are conducted with an atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM). In the AGCM experiments, we modify the sea ice to extract the impact of sea ice on the winds. Partial decouple experiments are conducted with the coupled model MIROC4m, which we modify the surface winds to assess the impact of changes in the surface wind due to sea ice expansion on the AMOC. Results show that expansion of sea ice substantially weakens the surface wind over the northern North Atlantic. AGCM experiments show that a drastic decrease in surface temperature duo to a suppression of sensible heat flux plays a dominant role in weakening the surface winds through increasing the static stability of the air column near the surface. Partial decouple experiments with MIROC4m show that the weakening of the surface wind due to the expansion of sea ice plays an important role in maintaining the weak AMOC. Thus, these experiments show that the weakening of the surface winds due to sea ice expansion plays a role in stabilizing the AMOC.

Effect of Diffuse Backscatter in Cassini Datasets on the Inferred Properties of Titan's surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sultan-Salem, A. K.; Tyler, G. L.

2006-12-01

Microwave (2.18 cm-λ) backscatter data for the surface of Titan obtained with the Cassini Radar instrument exhibit a significant diffuse scattering component. An empirical scattering law of the form Acos^{n}θ, with free parameters A and n, is often employed to model diffuse scattering, which may involve one or more unidentified mechanisms and processes, such as volume scattering and scattering from surface structure that is much smaller than the electromagnetic wavelength used to probe the surface. The cosine law in general is not explicit in its dependence on either the surface structure or electromagnetic parameters. Further, the cosine law often is only a poor representation of the observed diffuse scattering, as can be inferred from computation of standard goodness-of-fit measures such as the statistical significance. We fit four Cassini datasets (TA Inbound and Outbound, T3 Outbound, and T8 Inbound) with a linear combination of a cosine law and a generalized fractal-based quasi-specular scattering law (A. K. Sultan- Salem and G. L. Tyler, J. Geophys. Res., 111, E06S08, doi:10.1029/2005JE002540, 2006), in order to demonstrate how the presence of diffuse scattering increases considerably the uncertainty in surface parameters inferred from the quasi-specular component, typically the dielectric constant of the surface material and the surface root-mean-square slope. This uncertainty impacts inferences concerning the physical properties of the surfaces that display mixed scattering properties.

Impulse response of a two-dimensional rough surface overlying an inhomogeneous, nondispersive medium: A hybrid model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keiffer, Richard; Novarini, Jorge; Norton, Guy

2002-11-01

A numerical model to calculate the impulse response of a two-dimensional, impenetrable, rough surface directly in the time domain has been recently introduced [R. S. Keiffer and J. C. Novarini, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 107, 27-39 (2000)]. This model is based on wedge diffraction theory and assumes the half-space containing the source and receiver is homogeneous. In this work, the model is extended to handle media where the index of refraction varies with depth by merging the scattering model with a ray-based propagation model. The resulting hybrid model is tested against a finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method for backscattering from a corrugated surface in the presence of a refractive layer. This new model can be applied, for example, to calculate acoustic reverberation from the sea surface in cases where the water mass is inhomogeneous and dispersion is negligible. [Work supported by ONR/NRL (PE 61153N-32) and by grants of computer time DoD HPC Shared Resource Center at Stennis Space Center, MS.

Exposure of sea otters and harlequin ducks in Prince William Sound, Alaska, USA, to shoreline oil residues 20 years after the Exxon Valdez oil spill.

PubMed

Neff, Jerry M; Page, David S; Boehm, Paul D

2011-03-01

We assessed whether sea otters and harlequin ducks in an area of western Prince William Sound, Alaska, USA (PWS), oiled by the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill (EVOS), are exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) from oil residues 20 years after the spill. Spilled oil has persisted in PWS for two decades as surface oil residues (SOR) and subsurface oil residues (SSOR) on the shore. The rare SOR are located primarily on the upper shore as inert, nonhazardous asphaltic deposits, and SSOR are confined to widely scattered locations as small patches under a boulder/cobble veneer, primarily on the middle and upper shore, in forms and locations that preclude physical contact by wildlife and diminish bioavailability. Sea otters and harlequin ducks consume benthic invertebrates that they collect by diving to the bottom in the intertidal and subtidal zones. Sea otters also dig intertidal and subtidal pits in search of clams. The three plausible exposure pathways are through the water, in oil-contaminated prey, or by direct contact with SSOR during foraging. Concentrations of PAH in near-shore water off oiled shores in 2002 to 2005 were at background levels (<0.05 ng/L). Median concentrations of PAH in five intertidal prey species on oiled shores in 2002 to 2008 range from 4.0 to 34 ng/g dry weight, indistinguishable from background concentrations. Subsurface oil residues are restricted to locations on the shore and substrate types, where large clams do not occur and where sea otters do not dig foraging pits. Therefore, that sea otters and harlequin ducks continue to be exposed to environmentally significant amounts of PAH from EVOS 20 years after the spill is not plausible. Copyright © 2010 SETAC.

Phylogeographic heterogeneity of the brown macroalga Sargassum horneri (Fucaceae) in the northwestern Pacific in relation to late Pleistocene glaciation and tectonic configurations.

PubMed

Hu, Zi-Min; Uwai, Shinya; Yu, Shen-Hui; Komatsu, Teruhisa; Ajisaka, Tetsuro; Duan, De-Lin

2011-09-01

Pleistocene glacial oscillations and associated tectonic processes are believed to have influenced the historical abundances and distribution of organisms in the Asia Northwest Pacific (ANP). Accumulating evidence indicates that factors shaping tempospatial population dynamics and distribution patterns of marine taxa vary with biogeographical latitude, pelagic behaviour and oceanographic regimes. To detect what kinds of historical and contemporary factors affected genetic connectivity, phylogeographic profiles of littoral macroalga Sargassum horneri in the ANP were analysed based on mitochondrial (Cox3) and chloroplast (rbcL) data sets. Five distinct clades were recovered. A strong signature of biogeographical structure was revealed (Φ(CT) = 0.487, P < 0.0001) derived from remarkable differentiation in clade distribution, as clade I is restricted to Chinese marginal seas (Yellow-Bohai Sea, East China Sea and South China Sea), whereas clades II-V are discontinuously scattered around the main Islands of Japan. Furthermore, two secondary contact regions were identified along the south Japan-Pacific coastline. This significant differentiation between the two basins may reflect historical glacial isolation in the northwestern Pacific, which is congruent with the estimates of clade divergence and demographic expansion during the late Quaternary low sea levels. Analysis of molecular variance and the population-pair statistic F(ST) also revealed significant genetic structural differences between Chinese marginal seas and the Japanese basin. This exceptional phylogeographic architecture in S. horneri, initially shaped by historical geographic isolation during the late Pleistocene ice age and physical biogeographical barriers, can be complicated by oceanographic regimes (ocean surface currents) and relocating behaviour such as oceanic drifting. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Impacts of Organic Macromolecules, Chlorophyll and Soot on Arctic Sea Ice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ogunro, O. O.; Wingenter, O. W.; Elliott, S.; Flanner, M.; Dubey, M. K.

2014-12-01

Recent intensification of Arctic amplification can be strongly connected to positive feedback relating black carbon deposition to sea ice surface albedo. In addition to soot deposition on the ice and snow pack, ice algal chlorophyll is likely to compete as an absorber and redistributor of energy. Hence, solar radiation absorption by chlorophyll and some components of organic macromolecules in/under the ice column is currently being examined to determine the level of influence on predicted rate of ice loss. High amounts of organic macromolecules and chlorophyll are produced in global sea ice by the bottom microbial community and also in vertically distributed layers where substantial biological activities take place. Brine channeling in columnar ice can allow for upward flow of nutrients which leads to greater primary production in the presence of moderate light. Modeling of the sea-ice processes in tandem with experiments and field observations promises rapid progress in enhancing Arctic ice predictions. We are designing and conducting global climate model experiments to determine the impact of organic macromolecules and chlorophyll on Arctic sea ice. Influences on brine network permeability and radiation/albedo will be considered in this exercise. Absorption by anthropogenic materials such as soot and black carbon will be compared with that of natural pigments. We will indicate areas of soot and biological absorption dominance in the sense of single scattering, then couple into a full radiation transfer scheme to attribute the various contributions to polar climate change amplification. The work prepares us to study more traditional issues such as chlorophyll warming of the pack periphery and chemical effects of the flow of organics from ice internal communities. The experiments started in the Arctic will broaden to include Antarctic sea ice and shelves. Results from the Arctic simulations will be presented.

In Situ Global Sea Surface Salinity and Variability from the NCEI Global Thermosalinograph Database

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Z.; Boyer, T.; Zhang, H. M.

2017-12-01

Sea surface salinity (SSS) plays an important role in the global ocean circulations. The variations of sea surface salinity are key indicators of changes in air-sea water fluxes. Using nearly 30 years of in situ measurements of sea surface salinity from thermosalinographs, we will evaluate the variations of the sea surface salinity in the global ocean. The sea surface salinity data used are from our newly-developed NCEI Global Thermosalinograph Database - NCEI-TSG. This database provides a comprehensive set of quality-controlled in-situ sea-surface salinity and temperature measurements collected from over 340 vessels during the period 1989 to the present. The NCEI-TSG is the world's most complete TSG dataset, containing all data from the different TSG data assembly centers, e.g. COAPS (SAMOS), IODE (GOSUD) and AOML, with more historical data from NCEI's archive to be added. Using this unique dataset, we will investigate the spatial variations of the global SSS and its variability. Annual and interannual variability will also be studied at selected regions.

Simulation of laser beam reflection at the sea surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schwenger, Frédéric; Repasi, Endre

2011-05-01

A 3D simulation of the reflection of a Gaussian shaped laser beam on the dynamic sea surface is presented. The simulation is suitable for both the calculation of images of SWIR (short wave infrared) imaging sensor and for determination of total detected power of reflected laser light for a bistatic configuration of laser source and receiver at different atmospheric conditions. Our computer simulation comprises the 3D simulation of a maritime scene (open sea/clear sky) and the simulation of laser light reflected at the sea surface. The basic sea surface geometry is modeled by a composition of smooth wind driven gravity waves. The propagation model for water waves is applied for sea surface animation. To predict the view of a camera in the spectral band SWIR the sea surface radiance must be calculated. This is done by considering the emitted sea surface radiance and the reflected sky radiance, calculated by MODTRAN. Additionally, the radiances of laser light specularly reflected at the wind-roughened sea surface are modeled in the SWIR band considering an analytical statistical sea surface BRDF (bidirectional reflectance distribution function). This BRDF model considers the statistical slope statistics of waves and accounts for slope-shadowing of waves that especially occurs at flat incident angles of the laser beam and near horizontal detection angles of reflected irradiance at rough seas. Simulation results are presented showing the variation of the detected laser power dependent on the geometric configuration of laser, sensor and wind characteristics.

Resolution Enhancement of Spaceborne Radiometer Images

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Krim, Hamid

2001-01-01

Our progress over the last year has been along several dimensions: 1. Exploration and understanding of Earth Observatory System (EOS) mission with available data from NASA. 2. Comprehensive review of state of the art techniques and uncovering of limitations to be investigated (e.g. computational, algorithmic ...). and 3. Preliminary development of resolution enhancement algorithms. With the advent of well-collaborated satellite microwave radiometers, it is now possible to obtain long time series of geophysical parameters that are important for studying the global hydrologic cycle and earth radiation budget. Over the world's ocean, these radiometers simultaneously measure profiles of air temperature and the three phases of atmospheric water (vapor, liquid, and ice). In addition, surface parameters such as the near surface wind speed, the sea surface temperature, and the sea ice type and concentration can be retrieved. The special sensor microwaves imager SSM/I has wide application in atmospheric remote sensing over the ocean and provide essential inputs to numerical weather-prediction models. SSM/I data has also been used for land and ice studies, including snow cover classification measurements of soil and plant moisture contents, atmospheric moisture over land, land surface temperature and mapping polar ice. The brightness temperature observed by SSM/I is function of the effective brightness temperature of the earth's surface and the emission scattering and attenuation of the atmosphere. Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer (AMSR) is a new instrument that will measure the earth radiation over the spectral range from 7 to 90 GHz. Over the world's ocean, it will be possible to retrieve the four important geographical parameters SST, wind speed, vertically integrated water vapor, vertically integrated cloud liquid water L.

A scattering model for defoliated vegetation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Karam, M. A.; Fung, A. K.

1986-01-01

A scattering model for defoliated vegetation is conceived as a layer of dielectric, finite-length cylinders with specified size and orientation distributions above an irregular ground surface. The scattering phase matrix of a single cylinder is computed, then the radiative transfer technique is applied to link volume scattering from vegetation to surface scattering from the soil surface. Polarized and depolarized scattering are computed and the effects of the cylinder size and orientation distributions are illustrated. It is found that size and orientation distributions have significant effects on the backscattered signal. The model is compared with scattering from defoliated trees and agricultural crops.

Process for sensing defects on a smooth cylindrical interior surface in tubing

DOEpatents

Dutton, G. Wayne

1987-11-17

The cylindrical interior surface of small diameter metal tubing is optically inspected to determine surface roughness by passing a slightly divergent light beam to illuminate the entire interior surface of the tubing. Impingement of the input light beam components on any rough spots on the interior surface generates forward and backward scattered radiation components. The forward scattered components can be measured by blocking direct and specular radiation components exiting the tubing while allowing the forward scattered radiation to travel past the blocking location. Collecting optics are employed to converge the forward scattered radiation onto a photodetector generating a signal indicative of surface roughness. In the back scattered mode, back scattered radiation exiting the tubing through the entrance opening is reflected 90.degree. by a beam splitter towards collecting optics and a photodetector. Alternatively, back scattered radiation can be transmitted through a fiber optic bundle towards the collecting optics. The input light beam can be supplied through a white light fiber optic bundle mounted coaxial with the first bundle.

Process for sensing defects on a smooth cylindrical interior surface in tubing

DOEpatents

Dutton, G.W.

1987-11-17

The cylindrical interior surface of small diameter metal tubing is optically inspected to determine surface roughness by passing a slightly divergent light beam to illuminate the entire interior surface of the tubing. Impingement of the input light beam components on any rough spots on the interior surface generates forward and backward scattered radiation components. The forward scattered components can be measured by blocking direct and specular radiation components exiting the tubing while allowing the forward scattered radiation to travel past the blocking location. Collecting optics are employed to converge the forward scattered radiation onto a photodetector generating a signal indicative of surface roughness. In the back scattered mode, back scattered radiation exiting the tubing through the entrance opening is reflected 90[degree] by a beam splitter towards collecting optics and a photodetector. Alternatively, back scattered radiation can be transmitted through a fiber optic bundle towards the collecting optics. The input light beam can be supplied through a white light fiber optic bundle mounted coaxial with the first bundle. 6 figs.

Process and apparatus for sensing defects on a smooth cylindrical surface in tubing

DOEpatents

Dutton, G.W.

1985-08-05

The cylindrical interior surface of small diameter metal tubing is optically inspected to determine surface roughness by passing a slightly divergent light beam to illuminate the entire interior surface of the tubing. Impingement of the input light beam components on any rough spots on the interior surface generates forward and backward scattered radiation components. The forward scattered components can be measured by blocking direct and specular radiation components exiting the tubing while allowing the forward scattered radiation to travel past the blocking location. Collecting optics are employed to converge the forward scattered radiation onto a photodetector generating a signal indicative of surface roughness. In the back scattered mode, back scattered radiation exiting the tubing through the entrance opening is reflected 90/sup 0/ by a beam splitter towards collecting optics and a photodetector. Alternatively, back scattered radiation can be transmitted through a fiber optic bundle towards the collecting optics. The input light beam can be supplied through a white light fiber optic bundle mounted coaxial with the first bundle.

Redescription of the Indo-West Pacific cardinalfishes (Perciformes: Apogonidae) Rhabdamia spilota Allen Kuiter 1994 and R. gracilis (Bleeker 1856).

PubMed

Yoshida, Tomohiro; Motomura, Hiroyuki

2018-01-31

Rhabdamia spilota Allen Kuiter 1994 (Apogonidae), a poorly known cardinalfish previously known only from the Philippines, Indonesia and the Red Sea, is redescribed on the basis of 70 specimens (20.9-61.2 mm standard length) (including types), from the Indo-West Pacific (Red Sea, Andaman Sea, Japan, South China Sea, the Philippines, Indonesia, New Caledonia, and Australia). Because most reports of the similar species R. gracilis (Bleeker 1856), following its original description, were based on misidentifications, R. gracilis is also redescribed (based on 98 Indo-West Pacific specimens from Seychelles, Maldives, Andaman Sea, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, New Caledonia, and Australia, 27.9-59.3 mm standard length); a lectotype is designated for it. Rhabdamia spilota differs from R. gracilis in having 27-33 (mode 30-31) developed gill rakers [vs. 22-27 (mode 24) in the latter], 27-33 (30) gill rakers including rudiments [vs. 23-27 (24-25)], a black stripe from the jaw tips to the anterior margin of the orbit (vs. black pigments only at snout and tip of lower jaw), 3-6 reddish brown to blackish blotches on the opercle and anterior of body (vs. blotches absent), and indistinct black pigment restricted to caudal fin outer margins (vs. pigment scattered over entire fin). Rhabdamia gracilis exhibits sexual dichromatism, female specimens larger than 41.3 mm SL having one or two black stripes on the lateral surface of the body; the stripes are absent in males and smaller females. No evidence of sexual dichromatism was found in R. spilota.

Microwave model prediction and verifications for vegetated terrain

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fung, A. K.

1985-01-01

To understand the scattering properties of a deciduous and a coniferous type vegetation scattering models were developed assuming either a disc type leaf or a needle type leaf. The major effort is to calculate the corresponding scattering phase functions and then each of the functions is used in a radiative transfer formulation to compute the scattering intensity and consequently the scattering coefficient. The radiative transfer formulation takes into account the irregular ground surface by including the rough soil surface in the boundary condition. Thus, the scattering model accounts for volume scattering inside the vegetation layer, the surface scattering from the ground and the interaction between scattering from the soil surface and the vegetation volume. The contribution to backscattering by each of the three scattering mechanisms is illustrated along with the effects of each layer or surface parameter. The major difference between the two types of vegetation is that when the incident wavelength is comparable to the size of the leaf there is a peak appearing in the mid angular region of the backscattering curve for the disc type leaf whereas it is a dip in the same region for a needle type leaf.

The theory and measurement of noncoherent microwave scattering parameters. [for remote sensing of scenes via radar scatterometry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Claassen, J. P.; Fung, A. K.

1977-01-01

The radar equation for incoherent scenes is derived and scattering coefficients are introduced in a systematic way to account for the complete interaction between the incident wave and the random scene. Intensity (power) and correlation techniques similar to that for coherent targets are proposed to measure all the scattering parameters. The sensitivity of the intensity technique to various practical realizations of the antenna polarization requirements is evaluated by means of computer simulated measurements, conducted with a scattering characteristic similar to that of the sea. It was shown that for scenes satisfying reciprocity one must admit three new cross-correlation scattering coefficients in addition to the commonly measured autocorrelation coefficients.

The Calm Methane Northern Seas of Titan from Cassini Radio Science Observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marouf, Essam A.; French, Richard G.; Wong, Kwok; Anabtawi, Aseel; Schinder, Paul J.; Cassini Radio Science Team

2016-10-01

We report on results from 3 bistatic scattering observations of Titan northern seas conducted by the Cassini spacecraft in 2014 ( flybys T101, T102, and T106). The onboard Radio Science instrument transmits 3 sinusoidal signals of 0.94, 3.6, and 13 cm wavelengths. The spacecraft is continuously maneuvered to point in incidence direction so that mirror-like reflections from Titan's surface are observed at the ground stations of the NASA Deep Space Network. The corresponding ground-track in all 3 cases crossed different regions of Kraken Mare, and in the case of T101 also crossed Ligeia Mare. A nearly pure sinusoidal reflected signal was clearly detectable in the observed echoes spectra over surface regions identified in the Cassini RADAR images as potential liquid regions. Weaker quasi-specular echoes were also evident over some intermediate dry land and near sea shores. Cassini transmits right-circularly-polarized (RCP) signals and both the RCP and LCP echo components are observed. Their spectral shape, bandwidth, and total power are the observables used to infer/constrain physical surface properties. Presented results are limited to the 3.6 cm wavelength signal which has the largest SNR. The remarkably preserved sinusoidal echo spectral shape and the little detectable Doppler broadening strongly suggest surface that is smooth on scales large compared to 3.6 cm. If long wavelength gravity waves are present, they must be very subtle. The measured RCP/LCP echo power ratio provides direct measurement of the surface dielectric constant and is diagnostic of the liquid composition. The power ratio measurements eliminate possible significant ethane contribution and strongly imply predominantly liquid methane and nitrogen composition. Carefully calibrated measurements of the absolute echo power and the inferred dielectric constant constrain the presence of any capillary waves of wavelength << 3.6 cm. The latter affect wave coherence across the Fresnel region, reducing the reflected sinusoidal component power. When detectable, the reduction implies an RMS ripples height of about 2 mm, otherwise the measurements place an upper bound of about 1 mm. The results appear consistent among the two polarized echo components.

Bifunctional Ag@SiO 2 /Au Nanoparticles for Probing Sequential Catalytic Reactions by Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

DOE PAGES

Wu, Yiren; Su, Dong; Qin, Dong

2017-02-22

Here, we report the synthesis of bifunctional Ag@SiO 2/Au nanoparticles with an “islands in the sea” configuration by titrating HAuCl 4 solution into an aqueous suspension of Ag@SiO 2 core–shell nanocubes in the presence of NaOH, ascorbic acid, and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) at pH 11.9. The NaOH plays an essential role in generating small pores in the SiO 2 shell in situ, followed by the epitaxial deposition of Au from the Ag surface through the pores, leading to the formation of Au islands (6–12 nm in size) immersed in a SiO 2 sea. Furthermore, by controlling the amount of HAuCl 4more » titrated into the reaction system, the Au islands can be made to pass through and protrude from the SiO 2 shell, embracing catalytic activity toward the reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol by NaBH4. And while the Ag in the core provides a strong surface-enhanced Raman scattering activity, the SiO 2 sea helps maintain the Au component as compact, isolated, and stabilized islands. The Ag@SiO 2/Au nanoparticles can serve as a bifunctional probe to monitor the stepwise Au-catalyzed reduction of 4-nitrothiophenol to 4-aminothiophenol by NaBH 4 and Ag-catalyzed oxidation of 4-aminothiophenol to trans-4,4'-dimercaptoazobenzene by the O 2 from air in the same reaction system.« less

Bifunctional Ag@SiO 2 /Au Nanoparticles for Probing Sequential Catalytic Reactions by Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wu, Yiren; Su, Dong; Qin, Dong

Here, we report the synthesis of bifunctional Ag@SiO 2/Au nanoparticles with an “islands in the sea” configuration by titrating HAuCl 4 solution into an aqueous suspension of Ag@SiO 2 core–shell nanocubes in the presence of NaOH, ascorbic acid, and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) at pH 11.9. The NaOH plays an essential role in generating small pores in the SiO 2 shell in situ, followed by the epitaxial deposition of Au from the Ag surface through the pores, leading to the formation of Au islands (6–12 nm in size) immersed in a SiO 2 sea. Furthermore, by controlling the amount of HAuCl 4more » titrated into the reaction system, the Au islands can be made to pass through and protrude from the SiO 2 shell, embracing catalytic activity toward the reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol by NaBH4. And while the Ag in the core provides a strong surface-enhanced Raman scattering activity, the SiO 2 sea helps maintain the Au component as compact, isolated, and stabilized islands. The Ag@SiO 2/Au nanoparticles can serve as a bifunctional probe to monitor the stepwise Au-catalyzed reduction of 4-nitrothiophenol to 4-aminothiophenol by NaBH 4 and Ag-catalyzed oxidation of 4-aminothiophenol to trans-4,4'-dimercaptoazobenzene by the O 2 from air in the same reaction system.« less

Sun-stirred Kraken Mare: Circulation in Titan's seas induced by solar heating and methane precipitation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tokano, Tetsuya; Lorenz, Ralph D.

2016-05-01

Density-driven circulation in Titan's seas forced by solar heating and methane evaporation/precipitation is simulated by an ocean circulation model. If the sea is transparent to sunlight, solar heating can induce anti-clockwise gyres near the sea surface and clockwise gyres near the sea bottom. The gyres are in geostrophic balance between the radially symmetric pressure gradient force and Coriolis force. If instead the sea is turbid and most sunlight is absorbed near the sea surface, the sea gets stratified in warm seasons and the circulation remains weak. Precipitation causes compositional stratification of the sea to an extent that the sea surface temperature can be lower than the sea interior temperature without causing a convective overturning. Non-uniform precipitation can also generate a latitudinal gradient in the methane mole fraction and density, which drives a meridional overturning with equatorward currents near the sea surface and poleward currents near the sea bottom. However, gyres are more ubiquitous than meridional overturning.

The Impact of Sea Surface Temperature Front on Stratus-Sea Fog over the Yellow and East China Seas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, S.; Li, M.; Liu, F.

2013-12-01

A stratus-sea fog event occurred on 3 June 2011 over the Yellow and East China Seas (as shown in figure) is investigated observationally and numerically. Emphasis is put on the influences of the sea surface temperature front (SSTF) and of the synoptic circulations on the transition of stratus to sea fog. The southerly winds from a synoptic high pressure transport water vapor from the East China Sea to the Yellow Sea, while the subsidence induced by the high contributes to the formation of the temperature inversion on the top of the stratus or stratocumulus that appears mainly over the warm flank of a sea surface temperature front in the East China Sea. Forced by the SSTF, there is a secondary cell within the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL), with a sinking branch on the cold flank and a rising one on the warm flank of the SSTF. This sinking branch, in phase with the synoptic subsidence, forces the stratus or stratocumulus to lower in the elevation getting close to the sea surface as these clouds move northward driven by the southerly winds. The cloud droplets can either reach to the sea surface directly or evaporate into water vapor that may condense again when coming close to the cold sea surface to form fog. In this later case, the stratus and fog may separate. The cooling effect of cold sea surface counteracts the adiabatic heating induced by the subsidence and thus helps the transition of stratus to sea fog in the southern Yellow Sea. By smoothing the SSTF in the numerical experiment, the secondary cell weakens and the sea fog patches shrink obviously over the cold flank of the SSTF though the synoptic subsidence and moist advection still exist. A conceptual model is suggested for the transition of stratus to sea fog in the Yellow and East China Seas, which is helpful for the forecast of sea fog over these areas. The satellite visible image of the stratus-fog event. The fog appears in the Yellow Sea and the stratocumulus in the East China Sea.

Characterization of Next Generation Commercial Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering Substrates with a 633- and 785-nm System

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-04-01

Characterization of Next Generation Commercial Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering Substrates with a 633- and 785-nm System by Mikella E...Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering Substrates with a 633- and 785-nm System Mikella E. Farrell, Dimitra N. Stratis-Cullum, and Paul M. Pellegrino...DATES COVERED (From - To) 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Characterization of Next Generation Commercial Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering Substrates with a

Brillouin light scattering from surface acoustic waves in a subwavelength-diameter optical fibre

PubMed Central

Beugnot, Jean-Charles; Lebrun, Sylvie; Pauliat, Gilles; Maillotte, Hervé; Laude, Vincent; Sylvestre, Thibaut

2014-01-01

Brillouin scattering in optical fibres is a fundamental interaction between light and sound with important implications ranging from optical sensors to slow and fast light. In usual optical fibres, light both excites and feels shear and longitudinal bulk elastic waves, giving rise to forward-guided acoustic wave Brillouin scattering and backward-stimulated Brillouin scattering. In a subwavelength-diameter optical fibre, the situation changes dramatically, as we here report with the first experimental observation of Brillouin light scattering from surface acoustic waves. These Rayleigh-type surface waves travel the wire surface at a specific velocity of 3,400 m s−1 and backscatter the light with a Doppler shift of about 6 GHz. As these acoustic resonances are sensitive to surface defects or features, surface acoustic wave Brillouin scattering opens new opportunities for various sensing applications, but also in other domains such as microwave photonics and nonlinear plasmonics. PMID:25341638

Satellite Monitoring of Asian Dust Storms from SeaWiFS and MODIS: Source, Pathway, and Interannual Variability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hsu, N.; Tsay, S.; Jeong, M.; Holben, B.

2006-12-01

Among the many components that contribute to air pollution, airborne mineral dust plays an important role due to its biogeochemical impact on the ecosystem and its radiative-forcing effect on the climate system. In East Asia, dust storms frequently accompany the cold and dry air masses that occur as part of spring-time cold front systems. China's capital, Beijing, and other large cities are on the primary pathway of these dust storm plumes, and their passage over such popu-lation centers causes flight delays, pushes grit through windows and doors, and forces people indoors. Furthermore, during the spring these anthropogenic and natural air pollutants, once generated over the source regions, can be transported out of the boundary layer into the free troposphere and can travel thousands of kilometers across the Pacific into the United States and beyond. In this paper, we will demonstrate the capability of a new satellite algorithm to retrieve aerosol optical thickness and single scattering albedo over bright-reflecting surfaces such as urban areas and deserts. Such retrievals have been dif-ficult to perform using previously available algorithms that use wavelengths from the mid-visible to the near IR because they have trouble separating the aerosol signal from the contribution due to the bright surface reflectance. The new algorithm, called Deep Blue, utilizes blue-wavelength measurements from instruments such as SeaWiFS and MODIS to infer the properties of aerosols, since the surface reflectance over land in the blue part of the spectrum is much lower than for longer wavelength channels. We have validated the satellite retrieved aerosol optical thickness with data from AERONET sunphotometers over desert and semi-desert regions. The compari-sons show reasonable agreements between these two. These new satellite prod-ucts will allow scientists to determine quantitatively the aerosol properties near sources using high spatial resolution measurements from SeaWiFS and MODIS-like instruments. The multiyear satellite measurements since 1998 from SeaWiFS will be utilized to investigate the interannual variability of source, pathway, and dust loading associated with these dust outbreaks in East Asia. The monthly av-eraged aerosol optical thickness during the springtime from SeaWiFS will also be compared with the MODIS Deep Blue products.

Satellite Monitoring of Asian Dust Storms from SeaWiFS and MODIS: Source, pathway and Interannual Variability

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hsu, N. Christina

2007-01-01

Among the many components that contribute to air pollution, airborne mineral dust plays an important role due to its biogeochemical impact on the ecosystem and its radiative-forcing effect on the climate system. In East Asia, dust storms frequently accompany the cold and dry air masses that occur as part of springtime cold front systems. China's capital, Beijing, and other large cities are on the primary pathway of these dust storm plumes, and their passage over such population centers causes flight delays, pushes grit through windows and doors, and forces people indoors. Furthermore, during the spring these anthropogenic and natural air pollutants, once generated over the source regions, can be transported out of the boundary layer into the free troposphere and can travel thousands of kilometers across the Pacific into the United States and beyond. In this paper, we will demonstrate the capability of a new satellite algorithm to retrieve aerosol optical thickness and single scattering albedo over bright-reflecting surfaces such as urban areas and deserts. Such retrievals have been difficult to perform using previously available algorithms that use wavelengths from the mid-visible to the near IR because they have trouble separating the aerosol signal from the contribution due to the bright surface reflectance. The new algorithm, called Deep Blue, utilizes blue-wavelength measurements from instruments such as SeaWiFS and MODIS to infer the properties of aerosols, since the surface reflectance over land in the blue part of the spectrum is much lower than for longer wavelength channels. We have validated the satellite retrieved aerosol optical thickness with data from AERONET sunphotometers over desert and semi-desert regions. The comparisons show reasonable agreements between these two. These new satellite products will allow scientists to determine quantitatively the aerosol properties near sources using high spatial resolution measurements from SeaWiFS and MODIS-like instruments. The multiyear satellite measurements since 1998 from SeaWiFS will be utilized to investigate the interannual variability of source, pathway, and dust loading associated with these dust outbreaks in East Asia. The monthly averaged aerosol optical thickness during the springtime from SeaWiFS will also be compared with the MODIS Deep Blue products.

Satellite Monitoring of Asian Dust Storms from SeaWiFS and MODIS: Source, Pathway, and Interannual Variability

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hsu, N. Christina; Tsay, S.-C.; Bettenhausen, C.; Salustro, C.; Jeong, M. J.

2010-01-01

Among the many components that contribute to air pollution, airborne mineral dust plays an important role due to its biogeochernical impact on the ecosystem and its radiative-forcing effect on the climate system. In East Asia, dust storms frequently accompany the cold and dry air masses that occur as part of springtime cold front systems. China's capital, Beijing, and other large cities are on the primary pathway of these dust storm plumes, and their passage over such population centers causes flight delays, pushes grit through windows and doors, and forces people indoors. Furthermore, during the spring these anthropogenic and natural air pollutants, once generated over the source regions, can be transported out of the boundary layer into the free troposphere and can travel thousands of kilometers across the Pacific into the United States and beyond. In this paper, we will demonstrate the capability of a new satellite algorithm to retrieve aerosol optical thickness and single scattering albedo over bright reflecting surfaces such as urban areas and deserts. Such retrievals have been difficult to perform using previously available algorithms that use wavelengths from the mid-visible to the near IR because they have trouble separating the aerosol signal from the contribution due to the bright surface reflectance. The new algorithm, called Deep Blue, utilizes blue-wavelength measurements from instruments such as SeaWiFS and MODIS to infer the properties of aerosols, since the surface reflectance over land in the blue part of the spectrum is much lower than for longer wavelength channels. We have validated the satellite retrieved aerosol optical thickness with data from AERONET sunphotometers over desert and semi-desert regions. The comparisons show reasonable agreements between these two. These new satellite products will allow scientists to determine quantitatively the aerosol properties near sources using high spatial resolution measurements from SeaWiFS and MODIS-like instruments. The multiyear satellite measurements since 1998 from SeaWiFS will be utilized to investigate the interannual variability of source, pathway, and dust loading associated with these dust outbreaks in East Asia. The monthly averaged aerosol optical thickness during the springtime from SeaWiFS will also be compared with the MODIS Deep Blue products.

Satellite Monitoring of Asian Dust Storms from SeaWiFS and MODIS: Source, Pathway, and Interannual Variability

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hsu, N. Christina; Tsay, S.-C.; Bettenhausen, C.; Sayer, A.

2011-01-01

Among the many components that contribute to air pollution, airborne mineral dust plays an important role due to its biogeochemical impact on the ecosystem and its radiative-forcing effect on the climate system. In East Asia, dust storms frequently accompany the cold and dry air masses that occur as part of springtime cold front systems. China's capital, Beijing, and other large cities are on the primary pathway of these dust storm plumes, and their passage over such population centers causes flight delays, pushes grit through windows and doors, and forces peop Ie indoors. Furthermore, during the spring these anthropogenic and natural air pollutants, once generated over the source regions, can be tran sported out of the boundary layer into the free troposphere and can travel thousands of kilometers across the Pacific into the United States and beyond. In this paper, we will demonstrate the capability of a new satellite algorithm to retrieve aerosol optical thickness and single scattering albedo over brightreflecting surfaces such as urban areas and deserts. Such retrievals have been difficult to perform using previously available algorithms that use wavelengths from the mid-visible to the near IR because they have trouble separating the aerosol signal from the contribution due to the bright surface reflectance. The new algorithm, called Deep Blue, utilizes blue-wavelength measurements from instruments such as Sea WiFS and MODIS to infer the properties of aerosols, since the surface reflectance over land in the blue part of the spectrum is much lower than for longer wavelength channels. We have validated the satellite retrieved aerosol optical thickness with data from AERONET sunphotometers over desert and semi-desert regions. The comparisons show reasonable agreements between these two. These new satellite products will allow scientists to determine quantitatively the aerosol properties near sources using high spatial resolution measurements from Sea WiFS and MODISlike instruments. The multiyear satellite measurements since 1998 from SeaWiFS will be utilized to investigate the interannual variability of source, pathway, and dust loading associated with these dust outbreaks in East Asia. The monthly averaged aerosol optical thickness during the springtime from SeaWiFS will also be compared with the MODIS Deep Blue products.

APL - North Pacific Acoustic Laboratory

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-09-01

including marine mammals ) measurements in the NE Pacific Ocean. The Laboratory consists of the legacy SOSUS hydrophone receiver network in the...exposure in the marine environment. Philippine Sea- Ambient noise levels measured during the 2010-2011 Philippine Sea experiment on the Scripps...sound speed perturbations and the characteristics of the ambient acoustic noise field. Scattering and diffraction resulting from internal waves and

Effects of Sea-Surface Waves and Ocean Spray on Air-Sea Momentum Fluxes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Ting; Song, Jinbao

2018-04-01

The effects of sea-surface waves and ocean spray on the marine atmospheric boundary layer (MABL) at different wind speeds and wave ages were investigated. An MABL model was developed that introduces a wave-induced component and spray force to the total surface stress. The theoretical model solution was determined assuming the eddy viscosity coefficient varied linearly with height above the sea surface. The wave-induced component was evaluated using a directional wave spectrum and growth rate. Spray force was described using interactions between ocean-spray droplets and wind-velocity shear. Wind profiles and sea-surface drag coefficients were calculated for low to high wind speeds for wind-generated sea at different wave ages to examine surface-wave and ocean-spray effects on MABL momentum distribution. The theoretical solutions were compared with model solutions neglecting wave-induced stress and/or spray stress. Surface waves strongly affected near-surface wind profiles and sea-surface drag coefficients at low to moderate wind speeds. Drag coefficients and near-surface wind speeds were lower for young than for old waves. At high wind speeds, ocean-spray droplets produced by wind-tearing breaking-wave crests affected the MABL strongly in comparison with surface waves, implying that wave age affects the MABL only negligibly. Low drag coefficients at high wind caused by ocean-spray production increased turbulent stress in the sea-spray generation layer, accelerating near-sea-surface wind. Comparing the analytical drag coefficient values with laboratory measurements and field observations indicated that surface waves and ocean spray significantly affect the MABL at different wind speeds and wave ages.

Experiment and application of soft x-ray grazing incidence optical scattering phenomena

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Shuyan; Li, Cheng; Zhang, Yang; Su, Liping; Geng, Tao; Li, Kun

2017-08-01

For short wavelength imaging systems，surface scattering effects is one of important factors degrading imaging performance. Study of non-intuitive surface scatter effects resulting from practical optical fabrication tolerances is a necessary work for optical performance evaluation of high resolution short wavelength imaging systems. In this paper, Soft X-ray optical scattering distribution is measured by a soft X-ray reflectometer installed by my lab, for different sample mirrors、wavelength and grazing angle. Then aim at space solar telescope, combining these scattered light distributions, and surface scattering numerical model of grazing incidence imaging system, PSF and encircled energy of optical system of space solar telescope are computed. We can conclude that surface scattering severely degrade imaging performance of grazing incidence systems through analysis and computation.

Predicting surface scatter using a linear systems formulation of non-paraxial scalar diffraction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krywonos, Andrey

Scattering effects from rough surfaces are non-paraxial diffraction phenomena resulting from random phase variations in the reflected wavefront. The ability to predict these effects is important in a variety of applications including x-ray and EUV imaging, the design of stray light rejection systems, and reflection modeling for rendering realistic scenes and animations of physical objects in computer graphics. Rayleigh-Rice (small perturbation method) and Beckmann-Kirchoff (Kirchhoff approximation) theories are commonly used to predict surface scatter effects. In addition, Harvey and Shack developed a linear systems formulation of surface scatter phenomena in which the scattering behavior is characterized by a surface transfer function. This treatment provided insight and understanding not readily gleaned from the two previous theories, and has been incorporated into a variety of computer software packages (ASAP, Zemax, Tracepro). However, smooth surface and paraxial approximations have severely limited the range of applicability of each of the above theoretical treatments. In this dissertation, a linear systems formulation of non-paraxial scalar diffraction theory is first developed and then applied to sinusoidal phase gratings, resulting in diffraction efficiency predictions far more accurate than those provided by classical scalar theories. The application of the theory to these gratings was motivated by the fact that rough surfaces are frequently modeled as a superposition of sinusoidal surfaces of different amplitudes, periods, and orientations. The application of the non-paraxial scalar diffraction theory to surface scatter phenomena resulted first in a modified Beckmann-Kirchhoff surface scattering model, then a generalized Harvey-Shack theory, both of which produce accurate results for rougher surfaces than the Rayleigh-Rice theory and for larger incident and scattering angles than the classical Beckmann-Kirchhoff theory. These new developments enable the analysis and simplify the understanding of wide-angle scattering behavior from rough surfaces illuminated at large incident angles. In addition, they provide an improved BRDF (Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function) model, particularly for the smooth surface inverse scattering problem of determining surface power spectral density (PSD) curves from BRDF measurements.

Sensitivity of the sea ice concentration over the Kara-Barents Sea in autumn to the winter temperature variability over East Asia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cho, K. H.; Chang, E. C.

2017-12-01

In this study, we performed sensitivity experiments by utilizing the Global/Regional Integrated Model system with different conditions of the sea ice concentration over the Kara-Barents (KB) Sea in autumn, which can affect winter temperature variability over East Asia. Prescribed sea ice conditions are 1) climatological autumn sea ice concentration obtained from 1982 to 2016, 2) reduced autumn sea ice concentration by 50% of the climatology, and 3) increased autumn sea ice concentration by 50% of climatology. Differently prescribed sea ice concentration changes surface albedo, which affects surface heat fluxes and near-surface air temperature. The reduced (increased) sea ice concentration over the KB sea increases (decreases) near-surface air temperature that leads the lower (higher) sea level pressure in autumn. These patterns are maintained from autumn to winter season. Furthermore, it is shown that the different sea ice concentration over the KB sea has remote effects on the sea level pressure patterns over the East Asian region. The lower (higher) sea level pressure over the KB sea by the locally decreased (increased) ice concentration is related to the higher (lower) pressure pattern over the Siberian region, which induces strengthened (weakened) cold advection over the East Asian region. From these sensitivity experiments it is clarified that the decreased (increased) sea ice concentration over the KB sea in autumn can lead the colder (warmer) surface air temperature over East Asia in winter.

A preview of a modular surface light scattering instrument with autotracking optics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Meyer, William V.; Tin, Padetha; Mann, J. Adin, Jr.; Cheung, H. Michael; Rogers, Richard B.; Lading, Lars

1994-01-01

NASA's Advanced Technology Development (ATD) program is sponsoring the development of a new generation of surface light scattering hardware. This instrument is designed to non-invasively measure the surface response function of liquids over a wide range of operating conditions while automatically compensating for a sloshing surface. The surface response function can be used to compute surface tension, properties of monolayers present, viscosity, surface tension gradient and surface temperature. The instrument uses optical and electronic building blocks developed for the laser light scattering program at NASA Lewis along with several unique surface light scattering components. The emphasis of this paper is the compensation for bulk surface motion (slosh). Some data processing background information is also included.

The mean sea surface height and geoid along the Geosat subtrack from Bermuda to Cape Cod

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kelly, Kathryn A.; Joyce, Terrence M.; Schubert, David M.; Caruso, Michael J.

1991-07-01

Measurements of near-surface velocity and concurrent sea level along an ascending Geosat subtrack were used to estimate the mean sea surface height and the Earth's gravitational geoid. Velocity measurements were made on three traverses of a Geosat subtrack within 10 days, using an acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP). A small bias in the ADCP velocity was removed by considering a mass balance for two pairs of triangles for which expendable bathythermograph measurements were also made. Because of the large curvature of the Gulf Stream, the gradient wind balance was used to estimate the cross-track component of geostrophic velocity from the ADCP vectors; this component was then integrated to obtain the sea surface height profile. The mean sea surface height was estimated as the difference between the instantaneous sea surface height from ADCP and the Geosat residual sea level, with mesoscale errors reduced by low-pass filtering. The error estimates were divided into a bias, tilt, and mesoscale residual; the bias was ignored because profiles were only determined within a constant of integration. The calculated mean sea surface height estimate agreed with an independent estimate of the mean sea surface height from Geosat, obtained by modeling the Gulf Stream as a Gaussian jet, within the expected errors in the estimates: the tilt error was 0.10 m, and the mesoscale error was 0.044 m. To minimize mesoscale errors in the estimate, the alongtrack geoid estimate was computed as the difference between the mean sea level from the Geosat Exact Repeat Mission and an estimate of the mean sea surface height, rather than as the difference between instantaneous profiles of sea level and sea surface height. In the critical region near the Gulf Stream the estimated error reduction using this method was about 0.07 m. Differences between the geoid estimate and a gravimetric geoid were not within the expected errors: the rms mesoscale difference was 0.24 m rms.

Classical And Quantum Rainbow Scattering From Surfaces

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Winter, H.; Schueller, A.; Busch, M.

2011-06-01

The structure of clean and adsorbate covered surfaces as well as of ultrathin films can be investigated by grazing scattering of fast atoms. We present two recent experimental techniques which allow one to study the structure of ordered arrangements of surface atoms in detail. (1) Rainbow scattering under axial surface channeling conditions, and (2) fast atom diffraction. Our examples demonstrate the attractive features of grazing fast atom scattering as a powerful analytical tool in studies on the structure of surfaces. We will concentrate our discussion on the structure of ultrathin silica films on a Mo(112) surface and of adsorbed oxygenmore » atoms on a Fe(110) surface.« less

Surface roughness measurement in the submicrometer range using laser scattering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, S. H.; Quan, Chenggen; Tay, C. J.; Shang, H. M.

2000-06-01

A technique for measuring surface roughness in the submicrometer range is developed. The principle of the method is based on laser scattering from a rough surface. A telecentric optical setup that uses a laser diode as a light source is used to record the light field scattered from the surface of a rough object. The light intensity distribution of the scattered band, which is correlated to the surface roughness, is recorded by a linear photodiode array and analyzed using a single-chip microcomputer. Several sets of test surfaces prepared by different machining processes are measured and a method for the evaluation of surface roughness is proposed.

Sea Spray Aerosol Production in the North Atlantic: A Comparison from 4 Cruises in 3 Seasons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bates, T. S.; Quinn, P.

2016-12-01

Breaking waves on the ocean surface generate air bubbles that scavenge organic matter from the surrounding seawater. When injected into the atmosphere, these bubbles burst, yielding sea spray aerosol (SSA), a mixture of organic and inorganic compounds with the organic matter enriched relative to seawater. SSA mass is well documented as the dominant component of aerosol light scattering over the remote oceans. The importance of SSA number to marine boundary layer cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) is much less certain. During the Western Atlantic Climate Study cruises (WACS-1 - August 2012 and WACS-2 - May-June 2014) and the North Atlantic Aerosols and Marine Ecosystem Study cruises (NAAMES-1 - November 2015, NAAMES-2 - May 2016, and NAAMES-3 - September 2017), we generated and measured freshly emitted SSA using the Sea Sweep SSA generator. During the 2017 cruise we also generated SSA with a Marine Aerosol Reference Tank (MART). Using the data generated on these 5 cruises and a large database of remote marine boundary layer aerosol measurements we will address three questions during this presentation: 1 - Do phytoplankton ecosystems affect the organic enrichment of freshly emitted SSA?, 2 - Do plankton ecosystems affect the number production flux of SSA?, and 3 - Is SSA a significant source of atmospheric CCN?

Measuring Geophysical Parameters of the Greenland Ice Sheet using Airborne Radar Altimetry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ferraro, Ellen J.; Swift. Calvin T.

1995-01-01

This paper presents radar-altimeter scattering models for each of the diagenetic zones of the Greenland ice sheet. AAFE radar- altimeter waveforms obtained during the 1991 and 1993 NASA multi-sensor airborne altimetry experiments over Greenland reveal that the Ku-band return pulse changes significantly with the different diagenetic zones. These changes are due to varying amounts of surface and volume scattering in the return waveform. In the ablation and soaked zones, where surface scattering dominates the AAFE return, geophysical parameters such as rms surface height and rms surface slope are obtained by fitting the waveforms to a surface-scattering model. Waveforms from the percolation zone show that the sub-surface ice features have a much more significant effect on the return pulse than the surrounding snowpack. Model percolation waveforms, created using a combined surface- and volume-scattering model and an ice-feature distribution obtained during the 1993 field season, agree well with actual AAFE waveforms taken in the same time period. Using a combined surface- and volume-scattering model for the dry-snow-zone return waveforms, the rms surface height and slope and the attenuation coefficient of the snowpack are obtained. These scattering models not only allow geophysical parameters of the ice sheet to be measured but also help in the understanding of satellite radar-altimeter data.

Scattering from randomly oriented scatterers of arbitrary shape in the low-frequency limit with application to vegetation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Karam, M. A.; Fung, A. K.

1983-01-01

A general theory of intensity scattering from small particles of arbitrary shape has been developed based on the radiative transfer theory. Upon permitting the particles to orient in accordance with any prescribed distribution, scattering models can be derived. By making an appropriate choice of the particle size, the scattering model may be used to estimate scattering from media such as snow, vegetation and sea ice. For the purpose of illustration only comparisons with measurements from a vegetated medium are shown. The difference in scattering between elliptic- and circular-shaped leaves is demonstrated. In the low-frequency limit, the major factors on backscattering from vegetation are found to be the depth of the vegetation layer and the orientation distribution of the leaves. The shape of the leaf is of secondary importance.

Scattering from randomly oriented scatterers of arbitrary shape in the low-frequency limit with application to vegetation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Karam, M. A.; Fung, A. K.

1984-01-01

A general theory of intensity scattering from small particles of arbitrary shape was developed based on the radiative transfer theory. Upon permitting the particles to orient in accordance with any prescribed distribution, scattering models can be derived. By making an appropriate choice of the particle size, the scattering model may be used to estimate scattering from media such as snow, vegetation and sea ice. For the purpose of illustration only comparisons with measurements from a vegetated medium are shown. The difference in scattering between elliptic and circular shaped leaves is demonstrated. In the low frequency limit, the major factors on backscattering from vegetation are found to be the depth of the vegetation layer and the orientation distribution of the leaves. The shape of the leaf is of secondary importance.

Changes in cloud and aerosol cover (1980-2006) from reflectivity time series using SeaWiFS, N7-TOMS, EP-TOMS, SBUV-2, and OMI radiance data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Herman, J. R.; Labow, G.; Hsu, N. C.; Larko, D.

2009-01-01

The amount of solar radiation reflected back to space or reaching the Earth's surface is primarily governed by the amount of cloud cover and, to a much lesser extent, by Rayleigh scattering, aerosols, and various absorbing gases (e.g., O3, NO2, H2O). A useful measure of the effect of cloud plus aerosol cover is given by the amount that the 331 nm Lambert Equivalent Reflectivity (LER) of a scene exceeds the surface reflectivity for snow/ice-free scenes after Rayleigh scattering has been removed. Twenty-eight years of reflectivity data are available by overlapping data from several satellites: N7 (Nimbus 7, TOMS; 331 nm) from 1979 to 1992, SBUV-2 series (Solar Backscatter Ultraviolet, NOAA; 331 nm) 1985 to 2007, EP (Earth-Probe, TOMS; 331 nm) 1997 to 2006, SW (SeaWiFS; 412 nm) 1998 to 2006, and OMI (Ozone Measuring Instrument; 331 nm) 2004-2007. Only N7 and SW have a sufficiently long data record, Sun-synchronous orbits, and are adequately calibrated for long-term reflectivity trend estimation. Reflectivity data derived from these instruments and the SBUV-2 series are compared during the overlapping years. Key issues in determining long-term reflectivity changes that have occurred during the N7 and SW operating periods are discussed. The largest reflectivity changes in the 412 nm SW LER and 331 nm EP LER are found to occur near the equator and are associated with a large El Nino-Southern Oscillation event. Most other changes that have occurred are regional, such as the apparent cloud decrease over northern Europe since 1998. The fractional occurrence (fraction of days) of high reflectivity values over Hudson Bay, Canada (snow/ice and clouds) appears to have decreased when comparing reflectivity data from 1980 to 1992 to 1997-2006, suggesting shorter duration of ice in Hudson Bay since 1980.

Enhancing the Arctic Mean Sea Surface and Mean Dynamic Topography with CryoSat-2 Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stenseng, Lars; Andersen, Ole B.; Knudsen, Per

2014-05-01

A reliable mean sea surface (MSS) is essential to derive a good mean dynamic topography (MDT) and for the estimation of short and long-term changes in the sea surface. The lack of satellite radar altimetry observations above 82 degrees latitude means that existing mean sea surface models have been unreliable in the Arctic Ocean. We here present the latest DTU mean sea surface and mean dynamic topography models that includes CryoSat-2 data to improve the reliability in the Arctic Ocean. In an attempt to extrapolate across the gap above 82 degrees latitude the previously models included ICESat data, gravimetrical geoids, ocean circulation models and various combinations hereof. Unfortunately cloud cover and the short periods of operation has a negative effect on the number of ICESat sea surface observations. DTU13MSS and DTU13MDT are the new generation of state of the art global high-resolution models that includes CryoSat-2 data to extend the satellite radar altimetry coverage up to 88 degrees latitude. Furthermore the SAR and SARin capability of CryoSat-2 dramatically increases the amount of useable sea surface returns in sea-ice covered areas compared to conventional radar altimeters like ENVISAT and ERS-1/2. With the inclusion of CryoSat-2 data the new mean sea surface is improved by more than 20 cm above 82 degrees latitude compared with the previous generation of mean sea surfaces.

Assessment of surface roughness by use of soft x-ray scattering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meng, Yan-li; Wang, Yong-gang; Chen, Shu-yan; Chen, Bo

2009-08-01

A soft x-ray reflectometer with laser produced plasma source has been designed, which can work from wavelength 8nm to 30 nm and has high performance. Using the soft x-ray reflectometer above, the scattering light distribution of silicon and zerodur mirrors which have super-smooth surfaces could be measured at different incidence angle and different wavelength. The measurement when the incidence angle is 2 degree and the wavelength is 11nm has been given in this paper. A surface scattering theory of soft x-ray grazing incidence optics based on linear system theory and an inverse scattering mathematical model is introduced. The vector scattering theory of soft x-ray scattering also is stated in detail. The scattering data are analyzed by both the methods above respectively to give information about the surface profiles. On the other hand, both the two samples are measured by WYKO surface profiler, and the surface roughness of the silicon and zerodur mirror is 1.3 nm and 1.5nm respectively. The calculated results are in quantitative agreement with those measured by WYKO surface profiler, which indicates that soft x-ray scattering is a very useful tool for the evaluation of highly polished surfaces. But there still some difference among the results of different theory and WYKO, and the possible reasons of such difference have been discussed in detail.

Aerosol optical properties at rural background area in Western Saudi Arabia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lihavainen, H.; Alghamdi, M. A.; Hyvärinen, A.; Hussein, T.; Neitola, K.; Khoder, M.; Abdelmaksoud, A. S.; Al-Jeelani, H.; Shabbaj, I. I.; Almehmadi, F. M.

2017-11-01

To derive the comprehensive aerosol in situ characteristics at a rural background area in Saudi Arabia, an aerosol measurements station was established to Hada Al Sham, 60 km east from the Red Sea and the city of Jeddah. The present sturdy describes the observational data from February 2013 to February 2015 of scattering and absorption coefficients, Ångström exponents and single scattering albedo over the measurement period. The average scattering and absorption coefficients at wavelength 525 nm were 109 ± 71 Mm- 1 (mean ± SD, at STP conditions) and 15 ± 17 Mm- 1 (at STP conditions), respectively. As expected, the scattering coefficient was dominated by large desert dust particles with low Ångström scattering exponent, 0.49 ± 0.62. Especially from February to June the Ångström scattering exponent was clearly lower (0.23) and scattering coefficients higher (124 Mm- 1) than total averages because of the dust outbreak season. Aerosol optical properties had clear diurnal cycle. The lowest scattering and absorption coefficients and aerosol optical depths were observed around noon. The observed diurnal variation is caused by wind direction and speed, during night time very calm easterly winds are dominating whereas during daytime the stronger westerly winds are dominating (sea breeze). Positive Matrix Factorization mathematical tool was applied to the scattering and absorption coefficients and PM2.5 and coarse mode (PM10-PM2.5) mass concentrations to identify source characteristics. Three different factors with clearly different properties were found; anthropogenic, BC source and desert dust. Mass absorption efficiencies for BC source and desert dust factors were, 6.0 m2 g- 1 and 0.4 m2 g- 1, respectively, and mass scattering efficiencies for anthropogenic (sulphate) and desert dust, 2.5 m2 g- 1 and 0.8 m2 g- 1, respectively.

Scattering of electromagnetic waves from a half-space of randomly distributed discrete scatterers and polarized backscattering ratio law

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zhu, P. Y.

1991-01-01

The effective-medium approximation is applied to investigate scattering from a half-space of randomly and densely distributed discrete scatterers. Starting from vector wave equations, an approximation, called effective-medium Born approximation, a particular way, treating Green's functions, and special coordinates, of which the origin is set at the field point, are used to calculate the bistatic- and back-scatterings. An analytic solution of backscattering with closed form is obtained and it shows a depolarization effect. The theoretical results are in good agreement with the experimental measurements in the cases of snow, multi- and first-year sea-ice. The root product ratio of polarization to depolarization in backscattering is equal to 8; this result constitutes a law about polarized scattering phenomena in the nature.

Understanding the tropical warm temperature bias simulated by climate models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brient, Florent; Schneider, Tapio

2017-04-01

The state-of-the-art coupled general circulation models have difficulties in representing the observed spatial pattern of surface tempertaure. A majority of them suffers a warm bias in the tropical subsiding regions located over the eastern parts of oceans. These regions are usually covered by low-level clouds scattered from stratus along the coasts to more vertically developed shallow cumulus farther from them. Models usually fail to represent accurately this transition. Here we investigate physical drivers of this warm bias in CMIP5 models through a near-surface energy budget perspective. We show that overestimated solar insolation due to a lack of stratocumulus mostly explains the warm bias. This bias also arises partly from inter-model differences in surface fluxes that could be traced to differences in near-surface relative humidity and air-sea temperature gradient. We investigate the role of the atmosphere in driving surface biases by comparing historical and atmopsheric (AMIP) experiments. We show that some differences in boundary-layer characteristics, mostly those related to cloud fraction and relative humidity, are already present in AMIP experiments and may be the drivers of coupled biases. This gives insights in how models can be improved for better simulations of the tropical climate.

Parity Violating electron scattering from Hydrogen and Helium-4 and Strangness in the nucleon: Results from HAPPEX-II

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moffit, Bryan

2006-11-01

The quark-antiquark pairs that form the sea within the nucleon are well established within quantum chromodynamics. Several recent and ongoing experiments are motivated by determining how this sea, containing contributions from all quark flavors, plays a role in affecting the nucleon's overall properties. Of particular interest is the possible strange quark contribution to the nucleon's electric and magnetic form factors. The recently completed HAPPEX asymmetry measurements take advantage of parity violation in elastic electron scattering to probe the strange quark effects. The measurement using a hydrogen target is sensitive to a linear combination of GE^s and GM^s, the contribution to the electric and magnetic form factors due to strange quarks, respectively, whereas scattering from a spinless helium target cleanly isolates GE^s. The combination of the two measurements therefore allows these form factors to be separately determined. Final results will be presented from the complete data set, obtained in runs in 2004 and 2005, yielding results of unprecedented precision.

Primary analysis of the ocean color remote sensing data of the HY-1B/COCTS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, Xianqiang; Bai, Yan; Pan, Delu; Zhu, Qiankun; Gong, Fang

2009-01-01

China had successfully launched her second ocean color satellite HY-1B on 11 Apr., 2007, which was the successor of the HY-1A satellite launched on 15 May, 2002. There were two sensors onboard HY-1B, named the Chinese Ocean Color and Temperature Scanner (COCTS) and the Coastal Zone Imager (CZI) respectively, and COCTS was the main sensor. COCTS had not only eight visible and near-infrared wave bands similar to the SeaWiFS, but also two more thermal infrared wave bands to measure the sea surface temperature. Therefore, COCTS had broad application potentiality, such as fishery resource protection and development, coastal monitoring and management and marine pollution monitoring. In this paper, the main characteristics of COCTS were described firstly. Then, using the crosscalibration method, the vicarious calibration of COCTS was carried out by the synchronous remote sensing data of SeaWiFS, and the results showed that COCTS had well linear responses for the visible light bands with the correlation coefficients more than 0.98, however, the performances of the near infrared wavelength bands were not good as visible light bands. Using the vicarious calibration result, the operational atmospheric correction (AC) algorithm of COCTS was developed based on the exact Rayleigh scattering look-up table (LUT), aerosol scattering LUT and atmosphere diffuse transmission LUT generated by the coupled ocean-atmospheric vector radiative transfer numerical model named PCOART. The AC algorithm had been validated by the simulated radiance data at the top-of-atmosphere, and the results showed the errors of the water-leaving reflectance retrieved by the AC algorithm were less than 0.0005, which met the requirement of the exactly atmospheric correction of ocean color remote sensing. Finally, the AC algorithm was applied to the HY-1B/COCTS remote sensing data, and the corresponding ocean color remote sensing products have been generated.

Seasonal Ice Zone Reconnaissance Surveys Coordination

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-09-30

profiler (AXCP) ocean velocity shear (Morison), UpTempO buoy measurements of sea surface temperature (SST), sea level atmospheric pressure ( SLP ), and...and prediction…. Steele UpTempO buoy drops for SLP , SST, SSS, & surface velocity Visible and Thermal Images of the SIZ from the Coast Guard...Expendable CTD, AXCP= Air Expendable Current Profiler, SLP = Sea Level atmospheric Pressure, SST= Seas Surface Temperature, A/C= aircraft, SIC=Sea Ice

Imaging Strong Lateral Heterogeneities with USArray using Body-to-Surface Wave Scattering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, C.; Zhan, Z.; Hauksson, E.; Cochran, E. S.

2017-12-01

Seismic scattering is commonly observed and results from wave propagation in heterogeneous medium. Yet, deterministic characterization of scatterers remains challenging. In this study, we analyze broadband waveforms recorded by the USArray across the entire conterminous US. With array analysis, we observe strong scattered surface waves following the arrival of teleseismic body waves over several hundreds of kilometers. We use back-projection to locate the body-to-surface scattering sources, and detect strong scatterers both around and within the conterminous US. For the former, strong scattering is associated with pronounced bathymetric relief, such as the Patton Escarpment in the Southern California Continental Borderland. For the latter, scatterers are consistent with sharp lateral heterogeneities, such as near the Yellowstone hotspot and Southern California fault zones. We further model the body-to-surface wave scattering using finite-difference simulations. As an example, in the Southern California Continental Borderland a simplified 2-D bathymetric and crustal model are able to predict the arrival times and amplitudes of major scatterers. The modeling also suggests a relatively low shear wave velocity in the Continental Borderland. These observation of strong body-to-surface wave scattering and waveform modeling not only helps us image sharp heterogeneities but also are useful for assessing seismic hazard, including the calibration and refinement of seismic velocity models used to locate earthquakes and simulate strong ground motions.

Scattering of Light and Surface Plasmon Polaritons from Rough Surfaces

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-06-14

Scattering of an electromagnetic wave from a slightly random dielectric surface: Yoneda peak and Brewster angle in incoherent scattering.” Waves...device applications. Thus, the negative refraction of a surface plasmon polariton was studied in two papers. In the first [1], all- angle negative... angle of incidence, measured counterclockwise from the negative x1 axis, is . The surface plasmon polariton of frequency transmitted through the

Ocean Lidar Measurements of Beam Attenuation and a Roadmap to Accurate Phytoplankton Biomass Estimates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Yongxiang; Behrenfeld, Mike; Hostetler, Chris; Pelon, Jacques; Trepte, Charles; Hair, John; Slade, Wayne; Cetinic, Ivona; Vaughan, Mark; Lu, Xiaomei; Zhai, Pengwang; Weimer, Carl; Winker, David; Verhappen, Carolus C.; Butler, Carolyn; Liu, Zhaoyan; Hunt, Bill; Omar, Ali; Rodier, Sharon; Lifermann, Anne; Josset, Damien; Hou, Weilin; MacDonnell, David; Rhew, Ray

2016-06-01

Beam attenuation coefficient, c, provides an important optical index of plankton standing stocks, such as phytoplankton biomass and total particulate carbon concentration. Unfortunately, c has proven difficult to quantify through remote sensing. Here, we introduce an innovative approach for estimating c using lidar depolarization measurements and diffuse attenuation coefficients from ocean color products or lidar measurements of Brillouin scattering. The new approach is based on a theoretical formula established from Monte Carlo simulations that links the depolarization ratio of sea water to the ratio of diffuse attenuation Kd and beam attenuation C (i.e., a multiple scattering factor). On July 17, 2014, the CALIPSO satellite was tilted 30° off-nadir for one nighttime orbit in order to minimize ocean surface backscatter and demonstrate the lidar ocean subsurface measurement concept from space. Depolarization ratios of ocean subsurface backscatter are measured accurately. Beam attenuation coefficients computed from the depolarization ratio measurements compare well with empirical estimates from ocean color measurements. We further verify the beam attenuation coefficient retrievals using aircraft-based high spectral resolution lidar (HSRL) data that are collocated with in-water optical measurements.

Effects of water-emission anisotropy on multispectral remote sensing at thermal wavelengths of ocean temperature and of cirrus clouds

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Otterman, J.; Susskind, J.; Dalu, G.; Kratz, D.; Goldberg, I. L.

1992-01-01

The impact of water-emission anisotropy on remotedly sensed long-wave data has been studied. Water emission is formulated from a calm body for a facile computation of radiative transfer in the atmosphere. The error stemming from the blackbody assumption are calculated for cases of a purely absorbing or a purely scattering atmosphere taking the optical properties of the atmosphere as known. For an absorbing atmosphere, the errors in the sea-surface temperature (SST) are found to be always reduced and be the same whether measurements are made from space or at any level of the atmosphere. The inferred optical thickness tau of an absorbing layer can be in error under the blackbody assumption by a delta tau of 0.01-0.08, while the inferred optical thickness of a scattering layer can be in error by a larger amount, delta tau of 0.03-0.13. It is concluded that the error delta tau depends only weakly on the actual optical thickness and the viewing angle, but is rather sensitive to the wavelength of the measurement.

Remote sensing of ocean current boundary layer. [Loop Current in Gulf of Mexico

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Maul, G. A. (Principal Investigator)

1973-01-01

The author has identified the following significant results. A time series of the Loop Current in the Gulf of Mexico, covering an annual cycle of growth, spreading, and decay, has been obtained in synchronization with ERTS-1. Computer enhanced images, which are necessary to extract useful oceanic information, show that the current can be observed either by color or sea state effects associated with the cyclonic boundary. The color effect relates to the spectral variations in the optical properties of the water and its suspended particles, and is studied by radiative transfer theory. Significant oceanic parameters identified are: the probability of forward scattering, and the ratio of scattering to total attenuation. Several spectra of upwelling diffuse light are computed as a function of the concentration of particles and yellow substance. These calculations compare favorably with experimental measurements and show that the ratio of channels method gives ambiguous interpretative results. These results are used to discuss features in images where surface measurements were obtained and are extended to tentative explanation in others.

An Innovative Concept for Spacebased Lidar Measurement of Ocean Carbon Biomass

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hu, Yongxiang; Behrenfeld, Michael; Hostetler, Chris; Pelon, Jacques; Trepte, Charles; Hair, John; Slade, Wayne; Cetinic, Ivona; Vaughan, Mark; Lu, Xiaomei;

Modeling sea-surface temperature and its variability

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sarachik, E. S.

1985-01-01

A brief review is presented of the temporal scales of sea surface temperature variability. Progress in modeling sea surface temperature, and remaining obstacles to the understanding of the variability is discussed.

Multi-hybrid method for investigation of EM scattering from inhomogeneous object above a dielectric rough surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Jie; Guo, LiXin; He, Qiong; Wei, Bing

2012-10-01

An iterative strategy combining Kirchhoff approximation^(KA) with the hybrid finite element-boundary integral (FE-BI) method is presented in this paper to study the interactions between the inhomogeneous object and the underlying rough surface. KA is applied to study scattering from underlying rough surfaces, whereas FE-BI deals with scattering from the above target. Both two methods use updated excitation sources. Huygens equivalence principle and an iterative strategy are employed to consider the multi-scattering effects. This hybrid FE-BI-KA scheme is an improved and generalized version of previous hybrid Kirchhoff approximation-method of moments (KA-MoM). This newly presented hybrid method has the following advantages: (1) the feasibility of modeling multi-scale scattering problems (large scale underlying surface and small scale target); (2) low memory requirement as in hybrid KA-MoM; (3) the ability to deal with scattering from inhomogeneous (including coated or layered) scatterers above rough surfaces. The numerical results are given to evaluate the accuracy of the multi-hybrid technique; the computing time and memory requirements consumed in specific numerical simulation of FE-BI-KA are compared with those of MoM. The convergence performance is analyzed by studying the iteration number variation caused by related parameters. Then bistatic scattering from inhomogeneous object of different configurations above dielectric Gaussian rough surface is calculated and the influences of dielectric compositions and surface roughness on the scattering pattern are discussed.

Light scatter on the surface of AcrySof intraocular lenses: part I. Analysis of lenses retrieved from pseudophakic postmortem human eyes.

PubMed

Yaguchi, Shigeo; Nishihara, Hitoshi; Kambhiranond, Waraporn; Stanley, Daniel; Apple, David J

2008-01-01

To investigate the cause of light scatter measured on the surface of AcrySof intraocular lenses (Alcon Laboratories, Inc., Fort Worth, TX) retrieved from pseudophakic postmortem human eyes. Ten intraocular lenses (Alcon AcrySofModel MA60BM) were retrieved postmortem and analyzed for light scatter before and after removal of surface-bound biofilms. Six of the 10 lenses exhibited light scatter that was clearly above baseline levels. In these 6 lenses, both peak and average pixel density were reduced by approximately 80% after surface cleaning. The current study demonstrates that a coating deposited in vivo on the lens surface is responsible for the light scatter observed when incident light is applied.

Black sea surface temperature anomaly on 5th August 1998 and the ozone layer thickness

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Manev, A.; Palazov, K.; Raykov, St.; Ivanov, V.

2003-04-01

BLACK SEA SURFACE TEMPERATURE ANOMALY ON 5th AUGUST 1998 AND THE OZONE LAYER THICKNESS A. Manev , K. Palazov , St. Raykov, V. Ivanov Solar Terrestrial Influences Laboratory, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences amanev@abv.bg This paper focuses on the peculiarities of the Black Sea surface temperature anomaly on 05.08.1998. Researching the daily temperature changes in a number of control fields in the course of 8-10 years, we have found hidden correlations and anomalous deviations in the sea surface temperatures on a global scale. Research proves the statistical reliability of the temperature anomaly on the entire Black Sea surface registered on 04.-05.08.1998. In the course of six days around these dates the temperatures are up to 2°C higher than the maximum temperatures in this period in the other seven years. A more detailed analysis of the dynamics of the anomaly required the investigation of five Black Sea surface characteristic zones of 75x75 km. The analysis covers the period 20 days - 10 days before and 10 days after the anomaly. Investigations aimed at interpreting the reasons for the anomalous heating of the surface waters. We have tried to analyze the correlation between sea surface temperature and the global ozone above the Black Sea by using simultaneously data from the two satellite systems NOAA and TOMS. Methods of processing and comparing the data from the two satellite systems are described. The correlation coefficients values for the five characteristic zones are very high and close, which proves that the character of the correlation ozone - sea surface temperature is the same for the entire Black Sea surface. Despite the high correlation coefficient, we have proved that causality between the two phenomena at the time of the anomaly does not exit.

Nanoscale array structures suitable for surface enhanced raman scattering and methods related thereto

DOEpatents

Bond, Tiziana C.; Miles, Robin; Davidson, James C.; Liu, Gang Logan

2014-07-22

Methods for fabricating nanoscale array structures suitable for surface enhanced Raman scattering, structures thus obtained, and methods to characterize the nanoscale array structures suitable for surface enhanced Raman scattering. Nanoscale array structures may comprise nanotrees, nanorecesses and tapered nanopillars.

Nanoscale array structures suitable for surface enhanced raman scattering and methods related thereto

DOEpatents

Bond, Tiziana C.; Miles, Robin; Davidson, James C.; Liu, Gang Logan

2015-07-14

Methods for fabricating nanoscale array structures suitable for surface enhanced Raman scattering, structures thus obtained, and methods to characterize the nanoscale array structures suitable for surface enhanced Raman scattering. Nanoscale array structures may comprise nanotrees, nanorecesses and tapered nanopillars.

Nanoscale array structures suitable for surface enhanced raman scattering and methods related thereto

DOEpatents

Bond, Tiziana C; Miles, Robin; Davidson, James; Liu, Gang Logan

2015-11-03

Methods for fabricating nanoscale array structures suitable for surface enhanced Raman scattering, structures thus obtained, and methods to characterize the nanoscale array structures suitable for surface enhanced Raman scattering. Nanoscale array structures may comprise nanotrees, nanorecesses and tapered nanopillars.

Surface periodicity of Ir(110) from time-of-flight scattering and recoiling spectrometry (TOF-SARS)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bu, H.; Shi, M.; Rabalais, J. W.

1991-03-01

The surface periodicity of the Ir(110) surface in both the clean reconstructed (1×3) and oxygen stabilized unreconstructed (1×1) phases have been investigated using time-of-flight scattering and recoiling spectrometry (TOF-SARS). A pulsed 4 keV Ar + ion beam is directed at a grazing incident angle to the surface and the scattered neutral plus ion flux is monitored as a function of beam exit angle and crystal azimuthal angle. It is demonstrated that either maxima or minima are obtained in the scattered flux along the low-index crystallographic directions depending on whether near-specular or off-specular scattering conditions, respectively, are used. These scattering intensity patterns as a function of crystal azimuthal angle provide a direct measure of the surface periodicity. These intensity variations are explained in terms of the Lindhard critical angle, semichannel focusing effects, and trajectory simulations.

Analyses of Sea Surface Height, Bottom Pressure and Acoustic Travel Time in the Japan/East Sea

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-01-01

ANALYSES OF SEA SURFACE HEIGHT, BOTTOM PRESSURE AND ACOUSTIC TRAVEL TIME IN THE JAPAN/EAST SEA BY YONGSHENG XU A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL...COVERED 00-00-2006 to 00-00-2006 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Analyses of Sea Surface Height, Bottom Pressure and Acoustic Travel Time in the Japan/East Sea...1999 to July 2001. The PIESs recorded hourly vertical acoustic travel time and pressure, which are respectively good proxies of baroclinic and

Analytical fitting model for rough-surface BRDF.

PubMed

Renhorn, Ingmar G E; Boreman, Glenn D

2008-08-18

A physics-based model is developed for rough surface BRDF, taking into account angles of incidence and scattering, effective index, surface autocovariance, and correlation length. Shadowing is introduced on surface correlation length and reflectance. Separate terms are included for surface scatter, bulk scatter and retroreflection. Using the FindFit function in Mathematica, the functional form is fitted to BRDF measurements over a wide range of incident angles. The model has fourteen fitting parameters; once these are fixed, the model accurately describes scattering data over two orders of magnitude in BRDF without further adjustment. The resulting analytical model is convenient for numerical computations.

Surface wave scattering from sharp lateral discontinuities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pollitz, Fred F.

1994-11-01

The problem of surface wave scattering is re-explored, with quasi-degenerate normal mode coupling as the starting point. For coupling among specified spheroidal and toroidal mode dispersion branches, a set of coupled wave equations is derived in the frequency domain for first-arriving Rayleigh and Love waves. The solutions to these coupled wave equations using linear perturbation theory are surface integrals over the unit sphere covering the lateral distribution of perturbations in Earth structure. For isotropic structural perturbations and surface topographic perturbations, these solutions agree with the Born scattering theory previously obtained by Snieder and Romanowicz. By transforming these surface integrals into line integrals along the boundaries of the heterogeneous regions in the case of sharp discontinuities, and by using uniformly valid Green's functions, it is possible to extend the solution to the case of multiple scattering interactions. The proposed method allows the relatively rapid calculation of exact second order scattered wavefield potentials for scattering by sharp discontinuities, and it has many advantages not realized in earlier treatments. It employs a spherical Earth geometry, uses no far field approximation, and implicitly contains backward as well as forward scattering. Comparisons of asymptotic scattering and an exact solution with single scattering and multiple scattering integral formulations show that the phase perturbation predicted by geometrical optics breaks down for scatterers less than about six wavelengths in diameter, and second-order scattering predicts well both the amplitude and phase pattern of the exact wavefield for sufficiently small scatterers, less than about three wavelengths in diameter for anomalies of a few percent.

Body Size Regression Formulae, Proximate Composition and Energy Density of Eastern Bering Sea Mesopelagic Fish and Squid

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

The ecological significance of fish and squid of the mesopelagic zone (200 m–1000 m) is evident by their pervasiveness in the diets of a broad spectrum of upper pelagic predators including other fishes and squids, seabirds and marine mammals. As diel vertical migrators, mesopelagic micronekton are recognized as an important trophic link between the deep scattering layer and upper surface waters, yet fundamental aspects of the life history and energetic contribution to the food web for most are undescribed. Here, we present newly derived regression equations for 32 species of mesopelagic fish and squid based on the relationship between body size and the size of hard parts typically used to identify prey species in predator diet studies. We describe the proximate composition and energy density of 31 species collected in the eastern Bering Sea during May 1999 and 2000. Energy values are categorized by body size as a proxy for relative age and can be cross-referenced with the derived regression equations. Data are tabularized to facilitate direct application to predator diet studies and food web models. PMID:26287534

Body Size Regression Formulae, Proximate Composition and Energy Density of Eastern Bering Sea Mesopelagic Fish and Squid.

PubMed

Sinclair, Elizabeth H; Walker, William A; Thomason, James R

2015-01-01

The ecological significance of fish and squid of the mesopelagic zone (200 m-1000 m) is evident by their pervasiveness in the diets of a broad spectrum of upper pelagic predators including other fishes and squids, seabirds and marine mammals. As diel vertical migrators, mesopelagic micronekton are recognized as an important trophic link between the deep scattering layer and upper surface waters, yet fundamental aspects of the life history and energetic contribution to the food web for most are undescribed. Here, we present newly derived regression equations for 32 species of mesopelagic fish and squid based on the relationship between body size and the size of hard parts typically used to identify prey species in predator diet studies. We describe the proximate composition and energy density of 31 species collected in the eastern Bering Sea during May 1999 and 2000. Energy values are categorized by body size as a proxy for relative age and can be cross-referenced with the derived regression equations. Data are tabularized to facilitate direct application to predator diet studies and food web models.

Scatter metrology of photovoltaic textured surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stover, John C.; Hegstrom, Eric L.

2010-09-01

In recent years it has become common practice to texture many of the layered surfaces making up photovoltaic cells in order to increase light absorption and efficiency. Profilometry has been used to characterize the texture, but this is not satisfactory for in-line production systems which move surfaces too fast for that measurement. Scatterometry has been used successfully to measure roughness for many years. Its advantages include low cost, non-contact measurement and insensitivity to vibration; however, it also has some limitations. This paper presents scatter measurements made on a number of photovoltaic samples using two different scatterometers. It becomes clear that in many cases the surface roughness exceeds the optical smoothness limit (required to calculate surface statistics from scatter), but it is also clear that scatter measurement is a fast, sensitive indicator of texture and can be used to monitor whether design specifications are being met. A third key point is that there is a lot of surface dependent information available in the angular variations of the measured scatter. When the surface is inspected by integrating the scatter signal (often called a "Haze" measurement) this information is lost.

Warm waters, bleached corals

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Roberts, L.

1990-10-12

Two researchers, Tom Goreau of the Discovery Laboratory in Jamaica and Raymond Hayes of Howard University, claim that they have evidence that nearly clinches the temperature connection to the bleached corals in the Caribbean and that the coral bleaching is an indication of Greenhouse warming. The incidents of scattered bleaching of corals, which have been reported for decades, are increasing in both intensity and frequency. The researchers based their theory on increased temperature of the seas measured by satellites. However, some other scientists feel that the satellites measure the temperature of only the top few millimeters of the water andmore » that since corals lie on reefs perhaps 60 to 100 feet below the ocean surface, the elevated temperatures are not significant.« less

Quasiparticle Scattering in the Rashba Semiconductor BiTeBr: The Roles of Spin and Defect Lattice Site.

PubMed

Butler, Christopher John; Yang, Po-Ya; Sankar, Raman; Lien, Yen-Neng; Lu, Chun-I; Chang, Luo-Yueh; Chen, Chia-Hao; Wei, Ching-Ming; Chou, Fang-Cheng; Lin, Minn-Tsong

2016-09-28

Observations of quasiparticle interference have been used in recent years to examine exotic carrier behavior at the surfaces of emergent materials, connecting carrier dispersion and scattering dynamics to real-space features with atomic resolution. We observe quasiparticle interference in the strongly Rashba split 2DEG-like surface band found at the tellurium termination of BiTeBr and examine two mechanisms governing quasiparticle scattering: We confirm the suppression of spin-flip scattering by comparing measured quasiparticle interference with a spin-dependent elastic scattering model applied to the calculated spectral function. We also use atomically resolved STM maps to identify point defect lattice sites and spectro-microscopy imaging to discern their varying scattering strengths, which we understand in terms of the calculated orbital characteristics of the surface band. Defects on the Bi sublattice cause the strongest scattering of the predominantly Bi 6p derived surface band, with other defects causing nearly no scattering near the conduction band minimum.

Aerosol direct effect on solar radiation over the eastern Mediterranean Sea based on AVHRR satellite measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Georgakaki, Paraskevi; Papadimas, Christos D.; Hatzianastassiou, Nikos; Fotiadi, Aggeliki; Matsoukas, Christos; Stackhouse, Paul; Kanakidou, Maria; Vardavas, Ilias M.

2017-04-01

Despite the improved scientific understanding of the direct effect of aerosols on solar radiation (direct radiative effect, DRE) improvements are necessary, for example regarding the accuracy of the magnitude of estimated DREs and their spatial and temporal variability. This variability cannot be ensured by in-situ surface and airborne measurements, while it is also relatively difficult to capture through satellite observations. This becomes even more difficult when complete spatial coverage of extended areas is required, especially concerning areas that host various aerosol types with variable physico-chemical and optical aerosol properties. Better assessments of aerosol DREs are necessary, relying on aerosol optical properties with high spatial and temporal variation. The present study aims to provide a refined, along these lines, assessment of aerosol DREs over the eastern Mediterranean (EM) Sea, which is a key area for aerosol studies. Daily DREs are computed for 1˚ x1˚ latitude-longitude grids with the FORTH detailed spectral radiation transfer model (RTM) using input data for various atmospheric and surface parameters, such as clouds, water vapor, ozone and surface albedo, taken from the NASA-Langley Global Earth Observing System (GEOS) database. The model spectral aerosol optical depth (AOD), single scattering albedo and asymmetry parameter are taken from the Global Aerosol Data Set and the NOAA Climate Data Record (CDR) version 2 of Advanced Very High resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) AOD dataset which is available over oceans at 0.63 microns and at 0.1˚ x0.1˚ . The aerosol DREs are computed at the surface, the top-of-atmosphere and within the atmosphere, over the period 1985-1995. Preliminary model results for the period 1990-1993 reveal a significant spatial and temporal variability of DREs over the EM Sea, for example larger values over the Aegean and Black Seas, surrounded by land areas with significant anthropogenic aerosol sources, and over the southernmost parts of EM Sea, affected by frequent Saharan dust export. The mean regional annual AODs range from 0.17±0.05 to 0.23±0.06. The corresponding regional annual DREs at surface range from -14±3 to -18±4 W/m2 (surface radiative cooling), while in the atmosphere they vary between 7±2 and 10±2 W/m2 (atmospheric heating), yielding a planetary cooling above the EM Sea between -6±1 and -8±2 W/m2. However, these AOD and DRE values vary depending on the criteria of data spatial and temporal availability applied in the AOD and DRE calculation, because of the limited availability of retrieved AVHRR AOD over specific areas and in specific days. The DREs reach larger magnitudes at pixel-level; for example the surface DREs slightly exceed -30 W/m2, whereas they take larger values (magnitudes larger than -50 W/m2 in summer) when computed on a monthly basis, and even larger values on daily basis. The model results underline the high spatial and temporal variability of aerosol DREs, and the care that must be taken when averaging over space and time. It also points to the need for availability of aerosol data with concurrent high spatial and temporal coverage and resolution, which should be sought in ongoing and future satellite missions.

Developments in Airborne Oceanography and Air-Sea Interaction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Melville, W. K.

2014-12-01

One of the earliest ocean-related flights was that of Amundsen to be first across the North Pole and Arctic from Svalbard to Alaska in the airship Norge in 1926. Twenty five years later Cox & Munk flew a B-17G "Flying Fortress" bomber over Hawaiian waters measuring sea surface slope statistics from photographs of sun glitter and wind speed from a yacht. The value of Cox & Munk's "airborne oceanography" became apparent another twenty five years later with the short-lived Seasat microwave remote-sensing mission, since interpretation of the Seasat data in geophysical variables required scattering theories that relied on their data. The universal acceptance of remote sensing in oceanography began in 1992 with the launch of, and successful analysis of sea surface height data from, the Topex/Poseidon radar altimeter. With that and the development of more realistic coupled atmosphere-ocean models it became apparent that our understanding of weather and climate variability in both the atmosphere and the ocean depends crucially on our ability to measure processes in boundary layers spanning the interface. Ten years ago UNOLS formed the Scientific Committee for Oceanographic Aircraft Research (SCOAR) "...to improve access to research aircraft facilities for ocean sciences"; an attempt to make access to aircraft as easy as access to research vessels. SCOAR emphasized then that "Aircraft are ideal for both fast-response investigations and routine, long-term measurements, and they naturally combine atmospheric measurements with oceanographic measurements on similar temporal and spatial scales." Since then developments in GPS positioning and miniaturization have made scientific measurements possible from smaller and smaller platforms, including the transition from manned to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Furthermore, ship-launched and recovered UAVs have demonstrated how they can enhance the capabilities and reach of the research vessels, "projecting" research and science, just as aircraft carriers "project force". Now we can measure winds, waves, temperatures, currents, radiative transfer, images and air-sea fluxes from aircraft over the ocean.I will review some of the history of airborne oceanography and present examples of how it can extend our knowledge and understanding of air-sea interaction.

Analysis of Complex Marine Hazards on the Romanian Black Sea Shelf Using Combined Geophysical Methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Samoila, I. V.; Radulescu, V.; Moise, G.; Diaconu, A.; Radulescu, R.

2017-12-01

Combined geophysical acquisition technologies including High Resolution 2D Seismic (HR2D), Multi-Beam Echo-Sounding (MBES), Sub-Bottom Profiling (SBP) and Magnetometry were used in the Western Black Sea (offshore Romania) to identify possible geohazards, such as gas escaping surface sediments and tectonic hazard areas up to 1 km below the seafloor. The National Project was funded by the Research and Innovation Ministry of Romania, and has taken place over 1.5 years with the purpose of creating risk maps for the surveyed pilot area. Using an array of geophysical methods and creating a workflow to identify geohazard susceptible areas on the Romanian Black Sea continental shelf is important and beneficial for future research projects. The SBP and MBES data show disturbed areas that can be interpreted as gas escapes on the surface of the seafloor, and some escapes were confirmed on the HR2D profiles. Shallow gas indicators like gas chimneys and acoustic blanking are usually delimited by vertical, sub-vertical and/or quasi-horizontal faults that mark possible hazard areas on shallow sedimentary sections. Interpreted seismic profiles show three main markers: one delimiting the Pliocene-Quaternary boundary and two for the Miocene (Upper and Lower). Vertical and quasi-horizontal faults are characteristic for the Upper Miocene, while the Lower Miocene has NW-SE horizontal faults. Faults and possible hazard areas were marked on seismic sections and were further correlated with the MBES, SBP, Magnetometry and previously recorded data, such as earthquake epicenters scattered offshore in the Western Black Sea. The main fault systems likely to cause those earthquakes also aid the migration of gas if the faults are not sealed. We observed that the gas escapes were correlated with faults described on the recent seismic profiles. Mapping hazard areas will have an important contribution to better understand the recent evolution of the Western Black Sea basin but also for projecting the future offshore infrastructures. The resulting correlations in the geophysical data allowed us to create a workflow that shows desirable results for this area, and can be applied to other interest areas successfully and cost effectively.

Relationship between clouds and sea surface temperatures in the western tropical Pacific

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arking, Albert; Ziskin, Daniel

1994-01-01

Analysis of four years of earth radiation budget, cloud, and sea surface temperature data confirms that cloud parameters change dramatically when and where sea surface temperatures increase above approximately 300K. These results are based upon monthly mean values within 2.5 deg x 2.5 deg grid points over the 'warm pool' region of the western tropical Pacific. The question of whether sea surface temperatures are influenced, in turn, by the radiative effects of these clouds (Ramanathan and Collins) is less clear. Such a feedback, if it exists, is weak. The reason why clouds might have so little influence, despite large changes in their longwave and shortwave radiative effects, might be that the sea surface responds to both the longwave heating and the shortwave cooling effects of clouds, and the two effects nearly cancel. There are strong correlations between the rate of change of sea surface temperature and any of the radiation budget parameters that are highly correlated with the incident solar flux-implying that season and latitude are the critical factors determining sea surface temperatures. With the seasonal or both seasonal and latitudinal variations removed, the rate of change of sea surface temperature shows no correlation with cloud-related parameters in the western tropical Pacific.

Electromagnetic Modeling, Optimization and Uncertainty Quantification for Antenna and Radar Systems Surfaces Scattering and Energy Absorption

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-03-06

design of antenna and radar systems, energy absorption and scattering by rough-surfaces. This work has lead to significant new methodologies , including...problems in the field of electromagnetic propagation and scattering, with applicability to design of antenna and radar systems, energy absorption...and scattering by rough-surfaces. This work has lead to significant new methodologies , including introduction of a certain Windowed Green Function

Propagation and Directional Scattering of Ocean Waves in the Marginal Ice Zone and Neighboring Seas

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-09-30

expected to be the average of the kernel for 10 s and 12 s. This means that we should be able to calculate empirical formulas for 2 the scattering kernel...floe packing. Thus, establish a way to incorporate what has been done by Squire and co-workers into the wave model paradigm (in which the phase of the...cases observed by Kohout et al. (2014) in Antarctica . vii. Validation: We are planning validation tests for wave-ice scattering / attenuation model by

Field observations of bed shear stress and sediment resuspension on continental shelves, Alaska and California

USGS Publications Warehouse

Drake, D.E.; Cacchione, D.A.

1986-01-01

Bed shear stress was estimated using wave and current measurements obtained with the GEOPROBE bottom-tripod system during resuspension events in Norton Sound, Alaska, and on the northern California shelf. The boundary-layer model of Grant and Madsen (1979, Journal of Geophysical Research, 84, 1797-1808) was used to compute the bed shear stress under combined wave-generated and quasi-steady currents. Resuspension events were identified by sudden, large increases in light scattering at 1.9 m above the sea floor. The shear-stress values were used to compute the Shields parameter (??). The results for Norton Sound are in excellent agreement with the Shields threshold criterion; the data for the California shelf plot somewhat above the Shields threshold curve, though generally within the scatter envelope. Although the surface sediments in each area contain substantial fine-grained fractions (mean diameters were 0.007 cm in Norton Sound and 0.002 cm on the California shelf), the results do not indicate significant cohesion, because the sediment was entrained at bed shear-stress values close to those predicted by the modified Shields curve for cohesionless fine-grained particles. We suspect that frequent wave stirring and observed plowing of the surface sediment by benthonic animals maintain a high water content and contribute to the ease with which these materials are resuspended. ?? 1986.

Biofilm-like properties of the sea surface and predicted effects on air-sea CO2 exchange

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wurl, Oliver; Stolle, Christian; Van Thuoc, Chu; The Thu, Pham; Mari, Xavier

2016-05-01

Because the sea surface controls various interactions between the ocean and the atmosphere, it has a profound function for marine biogeochemistry and climate regulation. The sea surface is the gateway for the exchange of climate-relevant gases, heat and particles. Thus, in order to determine how the ocean and the atmosphere interact and respond to environmental changes on a global scale, the characterization and understanding of the sea surface are essential. The uppermost part of the water column is defined as the sea-surface microlayer and experiences strong spatial and temporal dynamics, mainly due to meteorological forcing. Wave-damped areas at the sea surface are caused by the accumulation of surface-active organic material and are defined as slicks. Natural slicks are observed frequently but their biogeochemical properties are poorly understood. In the present study, we found up to 40 times more transparent exopolymer particles (TEP), the foundation of any biofilm, in slicks compared to the underlying bulk water at multiple stations in the North Pacific, South China Sea, and Baltic Sea. We found a significant lower enrichment of TEP (up to 6) in non-slick sea surfaces compared to its underlying bulk water. Moreover, slicks were characterized by a large microbial biomass, another shared feature with conventional biofilms on solid surfaces. Compared to non-slick samples (avg. pairwise similarity of 70%), the community composition of bacteria in slicks was increasingly (avg. pairwise similarity of 45%) different from bulk water communities, indicating that the TEP-matrix creates specific environments for its inhabitants. We, therefore, conclude that slicks can feature biofilm-like properties with the excessive accumulation of particles and microbes. We also assessed the potential distribution and frequency of slick-formation in coastal and oceanic regions, and their effect on air-sea CO2 exchange based on literature data. We estimate that slicks can reduce CO2 fluxes by up to 15%, and, therefore, play important local and regional roles in regulating air-sea interactions.

Sea level and turbidity controls on mangrove soil surface elevation change

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lovelock, Catherine E.; Fernanda Adame, Maria; Bennion, Vicki; Hayes, Matthew; Reef, Ruth; Santini, Nadia; Cahoon, Donald R.

2015-01-01

Increases in sea level are a threat to seaward fringing mangrove forests if levels of inundation exceed the physiological tolerance of the trees; however, tidal wetlands can keep pace with sea level rise if soil surface elevations can increase at the same pace as sea level rise. Sediment accretion on the soil surface and belowground production of roots are proposed to increase with increasing sea level, enabling intertidal habitats to maintain their position relative to mean sea level, but there are few tests of these predictions in mangrove forests. Here we used variation in sea level and the availability of sediments caused by seasonal and inter-annual variation in the intensity of La Nina-El Nino to assess the effects of increasing sea level on surface elevation gains and contributing processes (accretion on the surface, subsidence and root growth) in mangrove forests. We found that soil surface elevation increased with mean sea level (which varied over 250 mm during the study) and with turbidity at sites where fine sediment in the water column is abundant. In contrast, where sediments were sandy, rates of surface elevation gain were high, but not significantly related to variation in turbidity, and were likely to be influenced by other factors that deliver sand to the mangrove forest. Root growth was not linked to soil surface elevation gains, although it was associated with reduced shallow subsidence, and therefore may contribute to the capacity of mangroves to keep pace with sea level rise. Our results indicate both surface (sedimentation) and subsurface (root growth) processes can influence mangrove capacity to keep pace with sea level rise within the same geographic location, and that current models of tidal marsh responses to sea level rise capture the major feature of the response of mangroves where fine, but not coarse, sediments are abundant.

Single scattering solution for radiative transfer through Rayleigh and aerosol atmosphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Otterman, J.

1977-01-01

A solution is presented to the radiative transfer of the solar irradiation through a turbid atmosphere, based on the single-scattering approximation, i.e., an assumption that a photon that underwent scattering either leaves the top of the atmosphere or strikes the surface. The solution depends on a special idealization of the scattering phase function of the aerosols. The equations developed are subsequently applied to analyze quantitatively the enhancement of the surface irradiation and the enhancement of the scattered radiant emittance as seen from above the atmosphere, caused by the surface reflectance and atmospheric back scattering. An order of magnitude error analysis is presented.

Modeling of scattering from ice surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dahlberg, Michael Ross

Theoretical research is proposed to study electromagnetic wave scattering from ice surfaces. A mathematical formulation that is more representative of the electromagnetic scattering from ice, with volume mechanisms included, and capable of handling multiple scattering effects is developed. This research is essential to advancing the field of environmental science and engineering by enabling more accurate inversion of remote sensing data. The results of this research contributed towards a more accurate representation of the scattering from ice surfaces, that is computationally more efficient and that can be applied to many remote-sensing applications.

The atmospheric correction algorithm for HY-1B/COCTS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, Xianqiang; Bai, Yan; Pan, Delu; Zhu, Qiankun

2008-10-01

China has launched her second ocean color satellite HY-1B on 11 Apr., 2007, which carried two remote sensors. The Chinese Ocean Color and Temperature Scanner (COCTS) is the main sensor on HY-1B, and it has not only eight visible and near-infrared wavelength bands similar to the SeaWiFS, but also two more thermal infrared bands to measure the sea surface temperature. Therefore, COCTS has broad application potentiality, such as fishery resource protection and development, coastal monitoring and management and marine pollution monitoring. Atmospheric correction is the key of the quantitative ocean color remote sensing. In this paper, the operational atmospheric correction algorithm of HY-1B/COCTS has been developed. Firstly, based on the vector radiative transfer numerical model of coupled oceanatmosphere system- PCOART, the exact Rayleigh scattering look-up table (LUT), aerosol scattering LUT and atmosphere diffuse transmission LUT for HY-1B/COCTS have been generated. Secondly, using the generated LUTs, the exactly operational atmospheric correction algorithm for HY-1B/COCTS has been developed. The algorithm has been validated using the simulated spectral data generated by PCOART, and the result shows the error of the water-leaving reflectance retrieved by this algorithm is less than 0.0005, which meets the requirement of the exactly atmospheric correction of ocean color remote sensing. Finally, the algorithm has been applied to the HY-1B/COCTS remote sensing data, and the retrieved water-leaving radiances are consist with the Aqua/MODIS results, and the corresponding ocean color remote sensing products have been generated including the chlorophyll concentration and total suspended particle matter concentration.

Aerosol Optical Properties and Chemical Composition Measured on the Ronald H. Brown During ACE-Asia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Quinn, P. K.; Bates, T. S.; Miller, T. L.; Coffman, D.

2001-12-01

Measurements of aerosol chemical, physical, and optical properties were made onboard the NOAA R/V Ronald H. Brown during the ACE-Asia Intensive Field Program to characterize Asian aerosol as it was transported across the Pacific Ocean. The ship traveled across the Pacific from Hawaii to Japan and into the East China Sea and the Sea of Japan. Trajectories indicate that remote marine air masses were sampled on the transit to Japan. In the ACE-Asia study region air masses from Japan, China, Mongolia, and the Korea Peninsula were sampled. A variety of aerosol types were encountered including those of marine, volcanic, crustal, and industrial origin. Presented here, for the different air masses encountered, are aerosol optical properties (scattering and absorption coefficients, single scattering albedo, Angstrom Exponent, and aerosol optical depth) and chemical composition (major ions, total organic and black carbon, and trace elements). Scattering by submicron aerosol (55 % RH and 550 nm) was less than 20 1/Mm during the transit from Hawaii to Japan. In continental air masses, values ranged from 60 to 320 1/Mm with the highest submicron scattering coefficients occurring during prefrontal conditions with a low marine boundary layer height and trajectories from Japan. For the continental air masses, the ratio of scattering by submicron to sub-10 micron aerosol during polluted conditions averaged 0.8 and during a dust event 0.41. Aerosol optical depth (500 nm) ranged from 0.08 during the Pacific transit to 1.3 in the prefrontal conditions described above. Optical depths during dust events ranged from 0.2 to 0.6. Submicron non-sea salt (nss) sulfate concentrations ranged from 0.5 ug/m-3 during the Pacific transit to near 30 ug/m-3 during the prefrontal conditions described above. Black carbon to total carbon mass ratios in air masses from Asia averaged 0.18 with highest values (0.32) corresponding to trajectories crossing the Yangtze River valley.

Sensitivity of Offshore Surface Fluxes and Sea Breezes to the Spatial Distribution of Sea-Surface Temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lombardo, Kelly; Sinsky, Eric; Edson, James; Whitney, Michael M.; Jia, Yan

2018-03-01

A series of numerical sensitivity experiments is performed to quantify the impact of sea-surface temperature (SST) distribution on offshore surface fluxes and simulated sea-breeze dynamics. The SST simulations of two mid-latitude sea-breeze events over coastal New England are performed using a spatially-uniform SST, as well as spatially-varying SST datasets of 32- and 1-km horizontal resolutions. Offshore surface heat and buoyancy fluxes vary in response to the SST distribution. Local sea-breeze circulations are relatively insensitive, with minimal differences in vertical structure and propagation speed among the experiments. The largest thermal perturbations are confined to the lowest 10% of the sea-breeze column due to the relatively high stability of the mid-Atlantic marine atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) suppressing vertical mixing, resulting in the depth of the marine layer remaining unchanged. Minimal impacts on the column-averaged virtual potential temperature and sea-breeze depth translates to small changes in sea-breeze propagation speed. This indicates that the use of datasets with a fine-scale SST may not produce more accurate sea-breeze simulations in highly stable marine ABL regimes, though may prove more beneficial in less stable sub-tropical environments.

Enhanced Arctic Mean Sea Surface and Mean Dynamic Topography including retracked CryoSat-2 Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andersen, O. B.; Jain, M.; Stenseng, L.; Knudsen, P.

2014-12-01

A reliable mean sea surface (MSS) is essential to derive a good mean dynamic topography (MDT) and for the estimation of short and long-term changes in the sea surface. The lack of satellite radar altimetry observations above 82 degrees latitude means that existing mean sea surface models have been unreliable in the Arctic Ocean. We here present the latest DTU mean sea surface and mean dynamic topography models combining conventional altimetry with retracked CryoSat-2 data to improve the reliability in the Arctic Ocean. For the derivation of a mean dynamic topography the ESA GOCE derived geoid model have been used to constrain the longer wavelength. We present the retracking of C2 SAR data using various retrackes and how we have been able to combine data from various retrackers under various sea ice conditions. DTU13MSS and DTU13MDT are the newest state of the art global high-resolution models including CryoSat-2 data to extend the satellite radar altimetry coverage up to 88 degrees latitude and through combination with a GOCE geoid model completes coverage all the way to the North Pole. Furthermore the SAR and SARin capability of CryoSat-2 dramatically increases the amount of useable sea surface returns in sea-ice covered areas compared to conventional radar altimeters like ENVISAT and ERS-1/2. With the inclusion of CryoSat-2 data the new mean sea surface is improved by more than 20 cm above 82 degrees latitude compared with the previous generation of mean sea surfaces.

On the role of inter-basin surface salinity contrasts in global ocean circulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seidov, D.; Haupt, B. J.

2002-08-01

The role of sea surface salinity (SSS) contrasts in maintaining vigorous global ocean thermohaline circulation (TOC) is revisited. Relative importance of different generalizations of sea surface conditions in climate studies is explored. Ocean-wide inter-basin SSS contrasts serve as the major controlling element in global TOC. These contrasts are shown to be at least as important as high-latitudinal freshwater impacts. It is also shown that intra-basin longitudinal distribution of sea surface salinity, as well as intra- and inter-basin longitudinal distribution of sea surface temperature, is not crucial to conveyor functionality if only inter-basin contrasts in sea surface salinity are retained. This is especially important for paleoclimate and future climate simulations.

Propagation of elastic wave in nanoporous material with distributed cylindrical nanoholes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qiang, FangWei; Wei, PeiJun; Liu, XiQiang

2013-08-01

The effective propagation constants of plane longitudinal and shear waves in nanoporous material with random distributed parallel cylindrical nanoholes are studied. The surface elastic theory is used to consider the surface stress effects and to derive the nontraditional boundary condition on the surface of nanoholes. The plane wave expansion method is used to obtain the scattering waves from the single nanohole. The multiple scattering effects are taken into consideration by summing the scattered waves from all scatterers and performing the configuration averaging of random distributed scatterers. The effective propagation constants of coherent waves along with the associated dynamic effective elastic modulus are numerically evaluated. The influences of surface stress are discussed based on the numerical results.

The dependence of sea surface slope on atmospheric stability and swell conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hwang, Paul A.; Shemdin, Omar H.

1988-01-01

A tower-mounted optical device is used to measure the two-orthogonal components of the sea surface slope. The results indicate that an unstable stratification at the air-sea interface tends to enhance the surface roughness. The presence of a long ocean swell system steers the primary direction of shortwave propagation away from wind direction, and may increase or reduce the mean square slope of the sea surface.

Clear water radiances for atmospheric correction of coastal zone color scanner imagery

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gordon, H. R.; Clark, D. K.

1981-01-01

The possibility of computing the inherent sea surface radiance for regions of clear water from coastal zone color scanner (CZCS) imagery given only a knowledge of the local solar zenith angle is examined. The inherent sea surface radiance is related to the upwelling and downwelling irradiances just beneath the sea surface, and an expression is obtained for a normalized inherent sea surface radiance which is nearly independent of solar zenith angle for low phytoplankton pigment concentrations. An analysis of a data base consisting of vertical profiles of upwelled spectral radiance and pigment concentration, which was used in the development of the CZCS program, confirms the virtual constancy of the normalized inherent sea surface radiance at wavelengths of 520 and 550 nm for cases when the pigment concentration is less than 0.25 mg/cu m. A strategy is then developed for using the normalized inherent sea surface radiance in the atmospheric correction of CZCS imagery.

Atmospheric Teleconnection over Eurasia Induced by Aerosol Radiative Forcing During Boreal Spring

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kim, Maeng-Ki; Lau, K. M.; Chin, Mian; Kim, Kyu-Myong; Sud, Y. C.; Walker, Greg K.

2005-01-01

The direct effects of aerosols on global and regional climate during boreal spring are investigated based on simulations using the NASA Global Modeling and Assimilation Office (GMAO) finite-volume general circulation model (fvGCM) with Microphyics of clouds in Relaxed Arakawa Schubert Scheme (McRAS). The aerosol loading are prescribed from three-dimensional monthly distribution of tropospheric aerosols viz., sulfate, black carbon, organic carbon, soil dust, and sea salt from output of the Goddard Ozone Chemistry Aerosol Radiation and Transport model (GOCART). The aerosol extinction coefficient, single scattering albedo, and asymmetric factor are computed as wavelength-dependent radiative forcing in the radiative transfer scheme of the fvGCM, and as a function of the aerosol loading and ambient relative humidity. We find that anomalous atmospheric heat sources induced by absorbing aerosols (dust and black carbon) excites a planetary scale teleconnection pattern in sea level pressure, temperature and geopotential height spanning North Africa through Eurasia to the North Pacific. Surface cooling due to direct effects of aerosols is found in the vicinity and downstream of the aerosol source regions, i.e., South Asia, East Asia, and northern and western Africa. Additionally, atmospheric heating is found in regions with large loading of dust (over Northern Africa, and Middle East), and black carbon (over South-East Asia). Paradoxically, the most pronounced feature in aerosol-induced surface temperature is an east-west dipole anomaly with strong cooling over the Caspian Sea, and warming over central and northeastern Asia, where aerosol concentration are low. Analyses of circulation anomalies show that the dipole anomaly is a part of an atmospheric teleconnection driven by atmospheric heating anomalies induced by absorbing aerosols in the source regions, but the influence was conveyed globally through barotropic energy dispersion and sustained by feedback processes associated with the regional circulations.

Estimation of Melt Pond Fractions on First Year Sea Ice Using Compact Polarization SAR

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Haiyan; Perrie, William; Li, Qun; Hou, Yijun

2017-10-01

Melt ponds are a common feature on Arctic sea ice. They are linked to the sea ice surface albedo and transmittance of energy to the ocean from the atmosphere and thus constitute an important process to parameterize in Arctic climate models and simulations. This paper presents a first attempt to retrieve the melt pond fraction from hybrid-polarized compact polarization (CP) SAR imagery, which has wider swath and shorter revisit time than the quad-polarization systems, e.g., from RADARSAT-2 (RS-2). The co-polarization (co-pol) ratio has been verified to provide estimates of melt pond fractions. However, it is a challenge to link CP parameters and the co-pol ratio. The theoretical possibility is presented, for making this linkage with the CP parameter C22/C11 (the ratio between the elements of the coherence matrix of CP SAR) for melt pond detection and monitoring with the tilted-Bragg scattering model for the ocean surface. The empirical transformed formulation, denoted as the "compact polarization and quad-pol" ("CPQP") model, is proposed, based on 2062 RS-2 quad-pol SAR images, collocated with in situ measurements. We compared the retrieved melt pond fraction with CP parameters simulated from quad-pol SAR data with results retrieved from the co-pol ratio from quad-pol SAR observations acquired during the Arctic-Ice (Arctic-Ice Covered Ecosystem in a Rapidly Changing Environment) field project. The results are shown to be comparable for observed melt pond measurements in spatial and temporal distributions. Thus, the utility of CP mode SAR for melt pond fraction estimation on first year level ice is presented.

Ice-type classifications from airborne pulse-limited radar altimeter return waveform characteristics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fedor, L. S.; Hayne, G. S.; Walsh, E. J.

1989-01-01

During mid-March 1978, the NASA C-130 aircraft was deployed to Eielson Air Force Base in Fairbanks, Alaska, to make a series of flights over ice in the Beaufort Sea. The radar altimeter data analyzed were obtained northeast of Mackenzie Bay on March 14th in the vicinity of 69.9 deg N, 134.2 deg W. The data were obtained with a 13.9 GHz radar altimeter developed under the NASA Advanced Applications Flight Experiments (AAFE) Program. This airborne radar was built as a forerunner of the Seasat radar altimeter, and utilized the same pulse compression technique. Pulse-limited radar data taken with the altimeter from 1500-m altitude over sea ice are registered to high-quality photography. The backscattered power is statistically related the surface conductivity and to the number of facets whose surface normal is directed towards the radar. The variations of the radar return waveform shape and signal level are correlated with the variation of the ice type determined from photography. The AAFE altimeter has demonstrated that the return waveform shape and signal level of an airborne pulse-limited altimeter at 13.9 GHz respond to sea ice type. The signal level responded dramatically to even a very small fracture in the ice, as long as it occurred directly at the altimeter nadir point. Shear zones and regions of significant compression ridging consistently produced low signal levels. The return waveforms frequently evidenced the characteristics of both specular and diffuse scattering, and there was an indication that the power backscattered at 3 deg off-nadir in a shear zone was actually somewhat higher than that from nadir.

Remote sensing of the diffuse attenuation coefficient of ocean water. [coastal zone color scanner

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Austin, R. W.

1981-01-01

A technique was devised which uses remotely sensed spectral radiances from the sea to assess the optical diffuse attenuation coefficient, K (lambda) of near-surface ocean water. With spectral image data from a sensor such as the coastal zone color scanner (CZCS) carried on NIMBUS-7, it is possible to rapidly compute the K (lambda) fields for large ocean areas and obtain K "images" which show synoptic, spatial distribution of this attenuation coefficient. The technique utilizes a relationship that has been determined between the value of K and the ratio of the upwelling radiances leaving the sea surface at two wavelengths. The relationship was developed to provide an algorithm for inferring K from the radiance images obtained by the CZCS, thus the wavelengths were selected from those used by this sensor, viz., 443, 520, 550 and 670 nm. The majority of the radiance arriving at the spacecraft is the result of scattering in the atmospheric and is unrelated to the radiance signal generated by the water. A necessary step in the processing of the data received by the sensor is, therefore, the effective removal of these atmospheric path radiance signals before the K algorithm is applied. Examples of the efficacy of these removal techniques are given together with examples of the spatial distributions of K in several ocean areas.

Using eddy covariance to measure the dependence of air-sea CO2 exchange rate on friction velocity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Landwehr, Sebastian; Miller, Scott D.; Smith, Murray J.; Bell, Thomas G.; Saltzman, Eric S.; Ward, Brian

2018-03-01

Parameterisation of the air-sea gas transfer velocity of CO2 and other trace gases under open-ocean conditions has been a focus of air-sea interaction research and is required for accurately determining ocean carbon uptake. Ships are the most widely used platform for air-sea flux measurements but the quality of the data can be compromised by airflow distortion and sensor cross-sensitivity effects. Recent improvements in the understanding of these effects have led to enhanced corrections to the shipboard eddy covariance (EC) measurements.Here, we present a revised analysis of eddy covariance measurements of air-sea CO2 and momentum fluxes from the Southern Ocean Surface Ocean Aerosol Production (SOAP) study. We show that it is possible to significantly reduce the scatter in the EC data and achieve consistency between measurements taken on station and with the ship underway. The gas transfer velocities from the EC measurements correlate better with the EC friction velocity (u*) than with mean wind speeds derived from shipboard measurements corrected with an airflow distortion model. For the observed range of wind speeds (u10 N = 3-23 m s-1), the transfer velocities can be parameterised with a linear fit to u*. The SOAP data are compared to previous gas transfer parameterisations using u10 N computed from the EC friction velocity with the drag coefficient from the Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere Response Experiment (COARE) model version 3.5. The SOAP results are consistent with previous gas transfer studies, but at high wind speeds they do not support the sharp increase in gas transfer associated with bubble-mediated transfer predicted by physically based models.

Deep-sea ostracode shell chemistry (Mg:Ca ratios) and late Quaternary Arctic Ocean history

USGS Publications Warehouse

Cronin, T. M.; Dwyer, Gary S.; Baker, P.A.; Rodriguez-Lazaro, J.; Briggs, W.M.; ,

1996-01-01

The magnesium:calcium (Mg:Ca) and strontium:calcium (Sr:Ca) ratios were investigated in shells of the benthic ostracode genus Krithe obtained from 64 core-tops from water depths of 73 to 4411 m in the Arctic Ocean and Nordic seas to determine the potential of ostracode shell chemistry for palaeoceanographic study. Shells from the Polar Surface Water (−1 to −1.5°C) had Mg:Ca molar ratios of about 0.006–0.008; shells from Arctic Intermediate Water (+0.3 to +2.0°C) ranged from 0.09 to 0.013. Shells from the abyssal plain and ridges of the Nansen, Amundsen and Makarov basins and the Norwegian and Greenland seas had a wide scatter of Mg:Ca ratios ranging from 0.007 to 0.012 that may signify post-mortem chemical alteration of the shells from Arctic deep-sea environments below about 1000 m water depth. There is a positive correlation (r2 = 0.59) between Mg:Ca ratios and bottom-water temperature in Krithe shells from Arctic and Nordic seas from water depths <900 m. Late Quaternary Krithe Mg:Ca ratios were analysed downcore using material from the Gakkel Ridge (water depths 3047 and 3899 m), the Lomonosov Ridge (water depth 1051 m) and the Amundsen Basin (water depth 4226 m) to test the core-top Mg:Ca temperature calibration. Cores from the Gakkel and Lomonosov ridges display a decrease in Mg:Ca ratios during the interval spanning the last glacial/deglacial transition and the Holocene, perhaps related to a decrease in bottom water temperatures or other changes in benthic environments.

Forest Fires in Russia and Northern China

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2002-01-01

Smoke plumes from forest fires scattered along the border between the Russian Far East and northern China are clearly visible in this true-color image from the Sea-viewing Wide-Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) on June 16, 2000. Fires in Siberia occur every summer, and severe outbreaks occur every ten years or so, with the most recent in 1998. The fires are ignited by lightning, and are so remote that it is impossible to fight them effectively. Provided by the SeaWiFS Project, NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, and ORBIMAGE

Global warming related transient albedo feedback in the Arctic and its relation to the seasonality of sea ice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andry, Olivier; Bintanja, Richard; Hazeleger, Wilco

2015-04-01

The Arctic is warming two to three times faster than the global average. Arctic sea ice cover is very sensitive to this warming and has reached historic minima in late summer in recent years (i.e. 2007, 2012). Considering that the Arctic Ocean is mainly ice-covered and that the albedo of sea ice is very high compared to that of open water, the change in sea ice cover is very likely to have a strong impact on the local surface albedo feedback. Here we quantify the temporal changes in surface albedo feedback in response to global warming. Usually feedbacks are evaluated as being representative and constant for long time periods, but we show here that the strength of climate feedbacks in fact varies strongly with time. For instance, time series of the amplitude of the surface albedo feedback, derived from future climate simulations (CIMP5, RCP8.5 up to year 2300) using a kernel method, peaks around the year 2100. This maximum is likely caused by an increased seasonality in sea-ice cover that is inherently associated with sea ice retreat. We demonstrate that the Arctic average surface albedo has a strong seasonal signature with a maximum in spring and a minimum in late summer/autumn. In winter when incoming solar radiation is minimal the surface albedo doesn't have an important effect on the energy balance of the climate system. The annual mean surface albedo is thus determined by the seasonality of both downwelling shortwave radiation and sea ice cover. As sea ice cover reduces the seasonal signature is modified, the transient part from maximum sea ice cover to its minimum is shortened and sharpened. The sea ice cover is reduced when downwelling shortwave radiation is maximum and thus the annual surface albedo is drastically smaller. Consequently the change in annual surface albedo with time will become larger and so will the surface albedo feedback. We conclude that a stronger seasonality in sea ice leads to a stronger surface albedo feedback, which accelerates melting of sea ice. Hence, the change in seasonality and the associated change in feedback strength is an integral part of the positive surface albedo feedback leading to Arctic amplification and diminishing sea ice cover in the next century when global climate warms.

A comparison between active and passive sensing of soil moisture from vegetated terrains

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fung, A. K.; Eom, H. J.

1985-01-01

A comparison between active and passive sensing of soil moisture over vegetated areas is studied via scattering models. In active sensing three contributing terms to radar backscattering can be identified: (1) the ground surface scatter term; (2) the volume scatter term representing scattering from the vegetation layer; and (3) the surface volume scatter term accounting for scattering from both surface and volume. In emission three sources of contribution can also be identified: (1) surface emission; (2) upward volume emission from the vegetation layer; and (3) downward volume emission scattered upward by the ground surface. As ground moisture increases, terms (1) and (3) increase due to increase in permittivity in the active case. However, in passive sensing, term (1) decreases but term (3) increases for the same reason. This self compensating effect produces a loss in sensitivity to change in ground moisture. Furthermore, emission from vegetation may be larger than that from the ground. Hence, the presence of vegetation layer causes a much greater loss of sensitivity to passive than active sensing of soil moisture.

A comparison between active and passive sensing of soil moisture from vegetated terrains

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fung, A. K.; Eom, H. J.

1984-01-01

A comparison between active and passive sensing of soil moisture over vegetated areas is studied via scattering models. In active sensing three contributing terms to radar backscattering can be identified: (1) the ground surface scatter term; (2) the volume scatter term representing scattering from the vegetation layer; and (3) the surface volume scatter term accounting for scattering from both surface and volume. In emission three sources of contribution can also be identified: (1) surface emission; (2) upward volume emission from the vegetation layer; and (3) downward volume emission scattered upward by the ground surface. As ground moisture increases, terms (1) and (3) increase due to increase in permittivity in the active case. However, in passive sensing, term (1) decreases but term (3) increases for the same reason. This self conpensating effect produces a loss in sensitivity to change in ground moisture. Furthermore, emission from vegetation may be larger than that from the ground. Hence, the presence of vegetation layer causes a much greater loss of sensitivity to passive than active sensing of soil moisture.

Effects of temperature-dependent molecular absorption coefficients on the thermal infrared remote sensing of the earth surface

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wan, Zhengming; Dozier, Jeff

1992-01-01

The effect of temperature-dependent molecular absorption coefficients on thermal infrared spectral signatures measured from satellite sensors is investigated by comparing results from the atmospheric transmission and radiance codes LOWTRAN and MODTRAN and the accurate multiple scattering radiative transfer model ATRAD for different atmospheric profiles. The sensors considered include the operational NOAA AVHRR and two research instruments planned for NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS): MODIS-N (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer-Nadir-Mode) and ASTER (Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer). The difference in band transmittance is as large as 6 percent for some thermal bands within atmospheric windows and more than 30 percent near the edges of these atmospheric windows. The effect of temperature-dependent molecular absorption coefficients on satellite measurements of sea-surface temperature can exceed 0.6 K. Quantitative comparison and factor analysis indicate that more accurate measurements of molecular absorption coefficients and better radiative transfer simulation methods are needed to achieve SST accuracy of 0.3 K, as required for global numerical models of climate, and to develop land-surface temperature algorithms at the 1-K accuracy level.

Estimating flood risk along the coasts of United States considering compounding effects of multiple flood drivers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moftakhari Rostamkhani, H.; Salvadori, G.; AghaKouchak, A.; Sanders, B. F.; Matthew, R.

2016-12-01

NASA launched the CYGNSS mission 15 December 2016 which comprises a constellation of eight satellites flying in a low inclination (tropical) Earth orbit. Each satellite measures up to four independent GPS signals scattered by the ocean, to obtain surface roughness, near surface wind speed, and air-sea latent heat flux. Utilizing such a large number of satellites, these measurements which are uniquely able to penetrate clouds and heavy precipitation, allows CYGNSS to frequently sample tropical cyclone intensification and of the diurnal cycle of winds. Additionally, data retrievals over land have proven effective to map surface water and soil moisture. Engineering commissioning of the constellation was successfully completed in March 2017 and the mission is now conducting science measurements. An overview of the CYGNSS system, mission and measurement concept will be presented, together with highlights of early on-orbit performance. Scientific results obtained during the 2017 hurricane season and featured at the NASA CYGNSS Applications Workshop in Monterey, CA 31 October - 2 November 2, 2017 will also be presented.

A global compilation of coral sea-level benchmarks: Implications and new challenges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Medina-Elizalde, Martín

2013-01-01

I present a quality-controlled compilation of sea-level data from U-Th dated corals, encompassing 30 studies of 13 locations around the world. The compilation contains relative sea level (RSL) data from each location based on both conventional and open-system U-Th ages. I have applied a commonly used age quality control criterion based on the initial 234U/238U activity ratios of corals in order to select reliable ages and to reconstruct sea level histories for the last 150,000 yr. This analysis reveals scatter of RSL estimates among coeval coral benchmarks both within individual locations and between locations, particularly during Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 5a and the glacial inception following the last interglacial. The character of data scatter during these time intervals imply that uncertainties still exist regarding tectonics, glacio-isostacy, U-series dating, and/or coral position. To elucidate robust underlying patterns, with confidence limits, I performed a Monte Carlo-style statistical analysis of the compiled coral data considering appropriate age and sea-level uncertainties. By its nature, such an analysis has the tendency to smooth/obscure millennial-scale (and finer) details that may be important in individual datasets, and favour the major underlying patterns that are supported by all datasets. This statistical analysis is thus functional to illustrate major trends that are statistically robust ('what we know'), trends that are suggested but still are supported by few data ('what we might know, subject to addition of more supporting data and improved corrections'), and which patterns/data are clear outliers ('unlikely to be realistic given the rest of the global data and possibly needing further adjustments'). Prior to the last glacial maximum and with the possible exception of the 130-120 ka period, available coral data generally have insufficient temporal resolution and unexplained scatter, which hinders identification of a well-defined pattern with usefully narrow confidence limits. This analysis thus provides a framework that objectively identifies critical targets for new data collection, improved corrections, and integration of coral data with independent, stratigraphically continuous methods of sea-level reconstruction.

Comparative surface dynamics of amorphous and semicrystalline polymer films

PubMed Central

Becker, James S.; Brown, Ryan D.; Killelea, Daniel R.; Yuan, Hanqiu; Sibener, S. J.

2011-01-01

The surface dynamics of amorphous and semicrystalline polymer films have been measured using helium atom scattering. Time-of-flight data were collected to resolve the elastic and inelastic scattering components in the diffuse scattering of neutral helium atoms from the surface of a thin poly(ethylene terephthalate) film. Debye–Waller attenuation was observed for both the amorphous and semicrystalline phases of the polymer by recording the decay of elastically scattered helium atoms with increasing surface temperature. Thermal attenuation measurements in the specular scattering geometry yielded perpendicular mean-square displacements of 2.7•10-4 Å2 K-1 and 3.1•10-4 Å2 K-1 for the amorphous and semicrystalline surfaces, respectively. The semicrystalline surface was consistently ∼15% softer than the amorphous across a variety of perpendicular momentum transfers. The Debye–Waller factors were also measured at off-specular angles to characterize the parallel mean-square displacements, which were found to increase by an order of magnitude over the perpendicular mean-square displacements for both surfaces. In contrast to the perpendicular motion, the semicrystalline state was ∼25% stiffer than the amorphous phase in the surface plane. These results were uniquely accessed through low-energy neutral helium atom scattering due to the highly surface-sensitive and nonperturbative nature of these interactions. The goal of tailoring the chemical and physical properties of complex advanced materials requires an improved understanding of interfacial dynamics, information that is obtainable through atomic beam scattering methods. PMID:20713734

Seasonal variability of the Red Sea, from GRACE time-variable gravity and altimeter sea surface height measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wahr, John; Smeed, David; Leuliette, Eric; Swenson, Sean

2014-05-01

Seasonal variability of sea surface height and mass within the Red Sea, occurs mostly through the exchange of heat with the atmosphere and wind-driven inflow and outflow of water through the strait of Bab el Mandab that opens into the Gulf of Aden to the south. The seasonal effects of precipitation and evaporation, of water exchange through the Suez Canal to the north, and of runoff from the adjacent land, are all small. The flow through the Bab el Mandab involves a net mass transfer into the Red Sea during the winter and a net transfer out during the summer. But that flow has a multi-layer pattern, so that in the summer there is actually an influx of cool water at intermediate (~100 m) depths. Thus, summer water in the southern Red Sea is warmer near the surface due to higher air temperatures, but cooler at intermediate depths (especially in the far south). Summer water in the northern Red Sea experiences warming by air-sea exchange only. The temperature profile affects the water density, which impacts the sea surface height but has no effect on vertically integrated mass. Here, we study this seasonal cycle by combining GRACE time-variable mass estimates, altimeter (Jason-1, Jason-2, and Envisat) measurements of sea surface height, and steric sea surface height contributions derived from depth-dependent, climatological values of temperature and salinity obtained from the World Ocean Atlas. We find good consistency, particularly in the northern Red Sea, between these three data types. Among the general characteristics of our results are: (1) the mass contributions to seasonal SSHT variations are much larger than the steric contributions; (2) the mass signal is largest in winter, consistent with winds pushing water into the Red Sea through the Strait of Bab el Mandab in winter, and out during the summer; and (3) the steric signal is largest in summer, consistent with summer sea surface warming.

A diffuse radar scattering model from Martian surface rocks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Calvin, W. M.; Jakosky, B. M.; Christensen, P. R.

1987-01-01

Remote sensing of Mars has been done with a variety of instrumentation at various wavelengths. Many of these data sets can be reconciled with a surface model of bonded fines (or duricrust) which varies widely across the surface and a surface rock distribution which varies less so. A surface rock distribution map from -60 to +60 deg latitude has been generated by Christensen. Our objective is to model the diffuse component of radar reflection based on this surface distribution of rocks. The diffuse, rather than specular, scattering is modeled because the diffuse component arises due to scattering from rocks with sizes on the order of the wavelength of the radar beam. Scattering for radio waves of 12.5 cm is then indicative of the meter scale and smaller structure of the surface. The specular term is indicative of large scale surface undulations and should not be causally related to other surface physical properties. A simplified model of diffuse scattering is described along with two rock distribution models. The results of applying the models to a planet of uniform fractional rock coverage with values ranging from 5 to 20% are discussed.

Visible light scatter measurements of the Advanced X-ray Astronomical Facility /AXAF/ mirror samples

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Griner, D. B.

1981-01-01

NASA is studying the properties of mirror surfaces for X-ray telescopes, the data of which will be used to develop the telescope system for the Advanced X-ray Astronomical Facility. Visible light scatter measurements, using a computer controlled scanner, are made of various mirror samples to determine surface roughness. Total diffuse scatter is calculated using numerical integration techniques and used to estimate the rms surface roughness. The data measurements are then compared with X-ray scatter measurements of the same samples. A summary of the data generated is presented, along with graphs showing changes in scatter on samples before and after cleaning. Results show that very smooth surfaces can be polished on the common substrate materials (from 2 to 10 Angstroms), and nickel appears to give the lowest visible light scatter.

Comparison of the GHSSmooth and the Rayleigh-Rice surface scatter theories

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harvey, James E.; Pfisterer, Richard N.

2016-09-01

The scalar-based GHSSmooth surface scatter theory results in an expression for the BRDF in terms of the surface PSD that is very similar to that provided by the rigorous Rayleigh-Rice (RR) vector perturbation theory. However it contains correction factors for two extreme situations not shared by the RR theory: (i) large incident or scattered angles that result in some portion of the scattered radiance distribution falling outside of the unit circle in direction cosine space, and (ii) the situation where the relevant rms surface roughness, σrel, is less than the total intrinsic rms roughness of the scattering surface. Also, the RR obliquity factor has been discovered to be an approximation of the more general GHSSmooth obliquity factor due to a little-known (or long-forgotten) implicit assumption in the RR theory that the surface autocovariance length is longer than the wavelength of the scattered radiation. This assumption allowed retaining only quadratic terms and lower in the series expansion for the cosine function, and results in reducing the validity of RR predictions for scattering angles greater than 60°. This inaccurate obliquity factor in the RR theory is also the cause of a complementary unrealistic "hook" at the high spatial frequency end of the predicted surface PSD when performing the inverse scattering problem. Furthermore, if we empirically substitute the polarization reflectance, Q, from the RR expression for the scalar reflectance, R, in the GHSSmooth expression, it inherits all of the polarization capabilities of the rigorous RR vector perturbation theory.

Physically-Based Models for the Reflection, Transmission and Subsurface Scattering of Light by Smooth and Rough Surfaces, with Applications to Realistic Image Synthesis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, Xiao Dong

This thesis studies light scattering processes off rough surfaces. Analytic models for reflection, transmission and subsurface scattering of light are developed. The results are applicable to realistic image generation in computer graphics. The investigation focuses on the basic issue of how light is scattered locally by general surfaces which are neither diffuse nor specular; Physical optics is employed to account for diffraction and interference which play a crucial role in the scattering of light for most surfaces. The thesis presents: (1) A new reflectance model; (2) A new transmittance model; (3) A new subsurface scattering model. All of these models are physically-based, depend on only physical parameters, apply to a wide range of materials and surface finishes and more importantly, provide a smooth transition from diffuse-like to specular reflection as the wavelength and incidence angle are increased or the surface roughness is decreased. The reflectance and transmittance models are based on the Kirchhoff Theory and the subsurface scattering model is based on Energy Transport Theory. They are valid only for surfaces with shallow slopes. The thesis shows that predicted reflectance distributions given by the reflectance model compare favorably with experiment. The thesis also investigates and implements fast ways of computing the reflectance and transmittance models. Furthermore, the thesis demonstrates that a high level of realistic image generation can be achieved due to the physically -correct treatment of the scattering processes by the reflectance model.

Experimental sea slicks: Their practical applications and utilization for basic studies of air-sea interactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hühnerfuss, Heinrich; Garrett, W. D.

1981-01-01

Practical applications of organic surface films added to the sea surface date back to ancient times. Aristotle, Plutarch, and Pliny the Elder describe the seaman's practice of calming waves in a storm by pouring oil onto the sea [Scott, 1977]. It was also noted that divers released oil beneath the water surface so that it could rise and spread over the sea surface, thereby suppressing the irritating flicker associated with the passage of light through a rippled surface. From a scientific point of view, Benjamin Franklin was the first to perform experiments with oils on natural waters. His experiment with a `teaspoonful of oil' on Clapham pond in 1773 inspired many investigators to consider sea surface phenomena or to conduct experiments with oil films. This early research has been reviewed by Giles [1969], Giles and Forrester [1970], and Scott [1977]. Franklin's studies with experimental slicks can be regarded as the beginning of surface film chemistry. His speculations on the wave damping influence of oil induced him to perform the first qualitative experiment with artificial sea slicks at Portsmouth (England) in October of 1773. Although the sea was calmed and very few white caps appeared in the oil-covered area, the swell continued through the oiled area to Franklin's great disappointment.

Electromagnetic backscattering from one-dimensional drifting fractal sea surface II: Electromagnetic backscattering model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tao, Xie; William, Perrie; Shang-Zhuo, Zhao; He, Fang; Wen-Jin, Yu; Yi-Jun, He

2016-07-01

Sea surface current has a significant influence on electromagnetic (EM) backscattering signals and may constitute a dominant synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging mechanism. An effective EM backscattering model for a one-dimensional drifting fractal sea surface is presented in this paper. This model is used to simulate EM backscattering signals from the drifting sea surface. Numerical results show that ocean currents have a significant influence on EM backscattering signals from the sea surface. The normalized radar cross section (NRCS) discrepancies between the model for a coupled wave-current fractal sea surface and the model for an uncoupled fractal sea surface increase with the increase of incidence angle, as well as with increasing ocean currents. Ocean currents that are parallel to the direction of the wave can weaken the EM backscattering signal intensity, while the EM backscattering signal is intensified by ocean currents propagating oppositely to the wave direction. The model presented in this paper can be used to study the SAR imaging mechanism for a drifting sea surface. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 41276187), the Global Change Research Program of China (Grant No. 2015CB953901), the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, China, the Program for the Innovation Research and Entrepreneurship Team in Jiangsu Province, China, the Canadian Program on Energy Research and Development, and the Canadian World Class Tanker Safety Service Program.

Book review: Nonlinear ocean waves and the inverse scattering transform

USGS Publications Warehouse

Geist, Eric L.

2011-01-01

Nonlinear Ocean Waves and the Inverse Scattering Transform is a comprehensive examination of ocean waves built upon the theory of nonlinear Fourier analysis. The renowned author, Alfred R. Osborne, is perhaps best known for the discovery of internal solitons in the Andaman Sea during the 1970s. In this book, he provides an extensive treatment of nonlinear water waves based on a nonlinear spectral theory known as the inverse scattering transform. The writing is exceptional throughout the book, which is particularly useful in explaining some of the more difficult mathematical concepts.  Review info: Nonlinear Ocean Waves and the Inverse Scattering Transform. By Alfred R. Osborne, 2010. ISBN: 978-125286299, 917 pp.

Scatter of X-rays on polished surfaces

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hasinger, G.

1981-01-01

In investigating the dispersion properties of telescope mirrors used in X-ray astronomy, the slight scattering characteristics of X-ray radiation by statistically rough surfaces were examined. The mathematics and geometry of scattering theory are described. The measurement test assembly is described and results of measurements on samples of plane mirrors are given. Measurement results are evaluated. The direct beam, the convolution of the direct beam and the scattering halo, curve fitting by the method of least squares, various autocorrelation functions, results of the fitting procedure for small scattering, and deviations in the kernel of the scattering distribution are presented. A procedure for quality testing of mirror systems through diagnosis of rough surfaces is described.

Upwelling Dynamic Based on Satellite and INDESO Data in the Flores Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kurniawan, Reski; Suriamihardja, D. A.; Hamzah Assegaf, Alimuddin

2018-03-01

Upwelling phenomenon is crucial to be forecasted, mainly concerning the information of potential fishery areas. Utilization of calibrated model for recorded upwelling such as INDESO gives benefit for historical result up to the present time. The aim of this study is to estimate areas and seasons of upwelling occurrences in the Flores Sea using data assimilation of satellite and modeling result. This study uses sea surface temperature, chlorophyll-a data from level 3 of MODIS image and sea surface height from satellite Jason-2 monthly for three years (2014-2016) and INDESO model data for sea surface temperature, sea surface height, and chlorophyll-a daily for three years (2014-2016). The upwelling is indicated by declining of sea surface temperature, sea surface height and increasing of chlorophyll-a. Verification is conducted by comparing the model result with recorded MODIS satellite image. The result shows that the area of southern Makassar Strait having occurrences of upwelling phenomenon every year starting in June, extended to July and August. The strongest upwelling occurred in 2015 covering more or less the area of 23,000 km2. The relation of monthly data of satellite has significantly correlated with daily data of INDESO model

Ocean observations with EOS/MODIS: Algorithm development and post launch studies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gordon, Howard R.

1995-01-01

An investigation of the influence of stratospheric aerosol on the performance of the atmospheric correction algorithm was carried out. The results indicate how the performance of the algorithm is degraded if the stratospheric aerosol is ignored. Use of the MODIS 1380 nm band to effect a correction for stratospheric aerosols was also studied. The development of a multi-layer Monte Carlo radiative transfer code that includes polarization by molecular and aerosol scattering and wind-induced sea surface roughness has been completed. Comparison tests with an existing two-layer successive order of scattering code suggests that both codes are capable of producing top-of-atmosphere radiances with errors usually less than 0.1 percent. An initial set of simulations to study the effects of ignoring the polarization of the the ocean-atmosphere light field, in both the development of the atmospheric correction algorithm and the generation of the lookup tables used for operation of the algorithm, have been completed. An algorithm was developed that can be used to invert the radiance exiting the top and bottom of the atmosphere to yield the columnar optical properties of the atmospheric aerosol under clear sky conditions over the ocean, for aerosol optical thicknesses as large as 2. The algorithm is capable of retrievals with such large optical thicknesses because all significant orders of multiple scattering are included.

Three modes of interdecadal trends in sea surface temperature and sea surface height

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gnanadesikan, A.; Pradal, M.

2013-12-01

It might be thought that sea surface height and sea surface temperature would be tightly related. We show that this is not necessarily the case on a global scale. We analysed this relationship in a suite of coupled climate models run under 1860 forcing conditions. The models are low-resolution variants of the GFDL Earth System Model, reported in Galbraith et al. (J. Clim. 2011). 1. Correlated changes in global sea surface height and global sea surface temperature. This mode corresponds to opening and closing of convective chimneys in the Southern Ocean. As the Southern Ocean destratifies, sea ice formation is suppressed during the winter and more heat is taken up during the summer. This mode of variability is highly correlated with changes in the top of the atmosphere radiative budget and weakly correlated with changes in the deep ocean circulation. 2. Uncorrelated changes in global sea surface height and global sea surface temperature. This mode of variability is associated with interdecadal variabliity in tropical winds. Changes in the advective flux of heat to the surface ocean play a critical role in driving these changes, which also result in significant local changes in sea level. Changes sea ice over the Southern Ocean still result in changes in solar absorption, but these are now largely cancelled by changes in outgoing longwave radiation. 3. Anticorrelated changes in global sea surface height and global sea surface temperatures. By varying the lateral diffusion coefficient in the ocean model, we are able to enhance and suppress convection in the Southern and Northern Pacific Oceans. Increasing the lateral diffusion coefficients shifts the balance sources of deep water away from the warm salty deep water of the North Atlantic and towards cold fresh deep water from the other two regions. As a result, even though the planet as a whole warms, the deep ocean cools and sea level falls, with changes of order 30 cm over 500 years. The increase in solar absorption in polar regions is more than compensated by an increase in outgoing longwave radiation. Relationship between global SSH trend over a decade and (A) local SSH change over a decade (m/m). (B) Global SST change over a decade (m/K) (C) Portion of decadal SST change correlated with net radiation at the top of the atmosphere (m/K) (D) Portion of decadal SST change not correlated with net radiation at the top of the atmosphere.

Large-scale fabrication of polymer/Ag core-shell nanorod array as flexible SERS substrate by combining direct nanoimprint and electroless deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Sisi; Xu, Zhimou; Sun, Tangyou; Zhao, Wenning; Wu, Xinghui; Ma, Zhichao; Xu, Haifeng; He, Jian; Chen, Cunhua

2014-06-01

We demonstrate a highly sensitive surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate, which consists of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) assembled on the surface of a nanopatterned polymer film. The fabrication route of a polymer/Ag core-shell nanorod (PACSN) array employed a direct nanoimprint technique to create a high-resolution polymer nanorod array. The obtained nanopatterned polymer film was subjected to electroless deposition to form a sea-cucumber-like Ag shell over the surface of the polymer nanorod. The morphology and structures of PACSNs were analyzed by using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The as-synthesized PACSNs exhibited a remarkable SERS activity and Raman signal reproducibility to rhodamine 6G, and a concentration down to 10-12 M can be identified. The effect of electroless deposition time of Ag NPs onto the polymer nanorod surface was investigated. It was found that the electroless deposition time played an important role in SERS activity. Our results revealed that the combination of direct nanoimprint and electroless deposition provided a convenient and cost-effective way for large-scale fabrication of reliable SERS substrates without the requirement of expensive instruments.

Sea surface temperature measurements with AIRS

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Aumann, H.

2003-01-01

The comparison of global sea surface skin temperature derived from cloud-free AIRS super window channel at 2616 cm-1 (sst2616) with the Real-Time Global Sea Surface Temperature for September 2002 shows surprisingly small standard deviation of 0.44K.

Microwave backscattering theory and active remote sensing of the ocean surface

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brown, G. S.; Miller, L. S.

1977-01-01

The status is reviewed of electromagnetic scattering theory relative to the interpretation of microwave remote sensing data acquired from spaceborne platforms over the ocean surface. Particular emphasis is given to the assumptions which are either implicit or explicit in the theory. The multiple scale scattering theory developed during this investigation is extended to non-Gaussian surface statistics. It is shown that the important statistic for the case is the probability density function of the small scale heights conditioned on the large scale slopes; this dependence may explain the anisotropic scattering measurements recently obtained with the AAFE Radscat. It is noted that present surface measurements are inadequate to verify or reject the existing scattering theories. Surface measurements are recommended for qualifying sensor data from radar altimeters and scatterometers. Additional scattering investigations are suggested for imaging type radars employing synthetically generated apertures.

Study on light scattering characterization for polishing surface of optical elements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yingge; Tian, Ailing; Wang, Chunhui; Wang, Dasen; Liu, Weiguo

2017-02-01

Based on the principle of bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF), the relationship between the surface roughness and the spatial scattering distribution of the optical elements were studied. First, a series of optical components with different surface roughness was obtained by the traditional polishing processing, and measured by Talysurf CCI 3000. Secondly, the influences of different factors on the scattering characteristics were simulated and analyzed, such as different surface roughness, incident wavelength and incident angle. Finally, the experimental device was built, and the spatial distribution of scattered light was measured with the different conditions, and then the data curve variation was analyzed. It was shown that the experimental method was reliable by comparing the simulation and experimental results. Base on this to know, many studies on light scattering characteristics for optical element polishing surface can try later.

The SASS scattering coefficient algorithm. [Seasat-A Satellite Scatterometer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bracalente, E. M.; Grantham, W. L.; Boggs, D. H.; Sweet, J. L.

1980-01-01

This paper describes the algorithms used to convert engineering unit data obtained from the Seasat-A satellite scatterometer (SASS) to radar scattering coefficients and associated supporting parameters. A description is given of the instrument receiver and related processing used by the scatterometer to measure signal power backscattered from the earth's surface. The applicable radar equation used for determining scattering coefficient is derived. Sample results of SASS data processed through current algorithm development facility (ADF) scattering coefficient algorithms are presented which include scattering coefficient values for both water and land surfaces. Scattering coefficient signatures for these two surface types are seen to have distinctly different characteristics. Scattering coefficient measurements of the Amazon rain forest indicate the usefulness of this type of data as a stable calibration reference target.

High-resolution Campanian-Maastrichtian carbon and oxygen stable isotopes of bulk-rock and skeletal components: palaeoceanographic and palaeoenvironmental implications for the Boreal shelf sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilmsen, Markus; Niebuhr, Birgit

2017-03-01

A high-resolution latest Early Campanian to Early Maastrichtian carbon and oxygen stable isotope record from the northern German Boreal shelf sea based on 537 analyses of co-occurring belemnites, brachiopods, inoceramids, oysters, and bulk rock samples is presented. All samples are precisely related to their stratigraphic, systematic and facies backgrounds and form an integrated, nearly 10-myr-long dataset with considerable palaeoenvironmental and palaeoceanographical implications. Petrographic studies indicate that low-magnesium calcitic coccoliths and calcispheres (i.e., planktic carbonate) predominate the bulk-rock data (marl-limestone rhythmites and chalks), thus representing a sea-surface water signal, and that only minor diagenetic alteration of the carbonate muds took place. Based on TL and CL microscopy, the investigated belemnites are extraordinarily well preserved, which may in part be explained by their early diagenetic surficial silicification (container effect), while the other macroinvertebrate groups are all less well preserved. The (plankton-dominated) δ13C values of the marl-limestone rhythmites and chalks (+1.1 to +2.5 ‰), recording a surface water signal, compare well with the δ18C data of inoceramids while δ13Cbrach. values (+1.5 to +3.0 ‰) are heavier than the bulk rock data. The large variation in the δ13Cbel. (-0.1 to +3.6 ‰) is attributed to isotopic disequilibrium of the biogenic carbonate formed by the belemnite animal. The bulk rock δ18O values show a remarkable low scatter, supporting petrographic observation of only minor diagenetic stabilisation/cementation, and can be approximated with northern German shelf sea-surface temperatures of ca. 20°C for the Late Campanian (ca. -2 ‰ δ18O), being slightly cooler during the Early Maastrichtian. The δ18O values of the belemnite rostra are even less variable and quite rich in heavier 18O (-0.7 to +0.6 with a mean of -0.1 ‰ δ18Obel.) in comparison to bulk rock and other skeletal components. Based on their excellent microstructural preservation and non-luminescence, we conclude that the belemnite rostra are diagenetically unaltered and have preserved the primary δ18O signal of ambient seawater (12 ± 2°C). In the absence of any indication for migration from cooler water masses and evidence for authochtonous populations we assume that the belemnites of the genera Belemnitella and Belemnella lived as nektobenthos near the sea-floor and thus record the temperature of the bottom mixed layer of the seasonally weakly stratified north German shelf sea at water depths of 100 to 150 m; the temperature gradient was thus 12.5-18.75 m/1°C. A conspicuous latest Campanian cooling event is evident in both sea-surface and bottom-water temperatures. The δ18O values of nearly all investigated benthic fossils lie between the isotope values of pristine belemnites and bulk rock, and, therefore, should be used for palaeotemperature reconstructions only with great care.

In situ observations of Arctic cloud properties across the Beaufort Sea marginal ice zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Corr, C.; Moore, R.; Winstead, E.; Thornhill, K. L., II; Crosbie, E.; Ziemba, L. D.; Beyersdorf, A. J.; Chen, G.; Martin, R.; Shook, M.; Corbett, J.; Smith, W. L., Jr.; Anderson, B. E.

2016-12-01

Clouds play an important role in Arctic climate. This is particularly true over the Arctic Ocean where feedbacks between clouds and sea-ice impact the surface radiation budget through modifications of sea-ice extent, ice thickness, cloud base height, and cloud cover. This work summarizes measurements of Arctic cloud properties made aboard the NASA C-130 aircraft over the Beaufort Sea during ARISE (Arctic Radiation - IceBridge Sea&Ice Experiment) in September 2014. The influence of surface-type on cloud properties is also investigated. Specifically, liquid water content (LWC), droplet concentrations, and droplet size distributions are compared for clouds sampled over three distinct regimes in the Beaufort Sea: 1) open water, 2) the marginal ice zone, and 3) sea-ice. Regardless of surface type, nearly all clouds intercepted during ARISE were liquid-phase clouds. However, differences in droplet size distributions and concentrations were evident for the surface types; clouds over the MIZ and sea-ice generally had fewer and larger droplets compared to those over open water. The potential implication these results have for understanding cloud-surface albedo climate feedbacks in Arctic are discussed.

Next-generation Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) Substrates for Hazard Detection

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-09-01

Next-generation Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) Substrates for Hazard Detection by Mikella E. Farrell, Ellen L. Holthoff and Paul M...Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) Substrates for Hazard Detection Mikella E. Farrell, Ellen L. Holthoff and Paul M. Pellegrino Sensors and...DD-MM-YYYY) September 2012 2. REPORT TYPE Reprint 3. DATES COVERED (From - To) 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Next-generation Surface Enhanced Raman

On the evaluation of air mass factors for atmospheric near-ultraviolet and visible absorption spectroscopy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Perliski, Lori M.; Solomon, Susan

1993-01-01

The interpretation of UV-visible twilight absorption measurements of atmospheric chemical constituents is dependent on how well the optical path, or air mass factor, of light collected by the spectrometer is understood. A simple single scattering model and a Monte Carlo radiative transfer scheme have been developed to study the effects of multiple scattering, aerosol scattering, surface albedo and refraction on air mass factors for scattered light observations. At fairly short visible wavelengths (less than about 450 nm), stratospheric air mass factors are found to be relatively insensitive to multiple scattering, surface albedo and refraction, as well as aerosol scattering by background aerosols. Longer wavelengths display greater sensitivity to refraction and aerosol scattering. Tropospheric air mass factors are found to be highly dependent on aerosol scattering, surface albedo and, at long visible wavelengths (about 650 nm), refraction. Absorption measurements of NO2 and O4 are shown to support these conclusions.

Backscattering from a Gaussian distributed, perfectly conducting, rough surface

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brown, G. S.

1977-01-01

The problem of scattering by random surfaces possessing many scales of roughness is analyzed. The approach is applicable to bistatic scattering from dielectric surfaces, however, this specific analysis is restricted to backscattering from a perfectly conducting surface in order to more clearly illustrate the method. The surface is assumed to be Gaussian distributed so that the surface height can be split into large and small scale components, relative to the electromagnetic wavelength. A first order perturbation approach is employed wherein the scattering solution for the large scale structure is perturbed by the small scale diffraction effects. The scattering from the large scale structure is treated via geometrical optics techniques. The effect of the large scale surface structure is shown to be equivalent to a convolution in k-space of the height spectrum with the following: the shadowing function, a polarization and surface slope dependent function, and a Gaussian factor resulting from the unperturbed geometrical optics solution. This solution provides a continuous transition between the near normal incidence geometrical optics and wide angle Bragg scattering results.

The SeaFlux Turbulent Flux Dataset Version 1.0 Documentation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clayson, Carol Anne; Roberts, J. Brent; Bogdanoff, Alec S.

2012-01-01

Under the auspices of the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) Global Energy and Water cycle EXperiment (GEWEX) Data and Assessment Panel (GDAP), the SeaFlux Project was created to investigate producing a high-resolution satellite-based dataset of surface turbulent fluxes over the global oceans. The most current release of the SeaFlux product is Version 1.0; this represents the initial release of turbulent surface heat fluxes, associated near-surface variables including a diurnally varying sea surface temperature.

An alternative to reduction of surface pressure to sea level

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Deardorff, J. W.

1982-01-01

The pitfalls of the present method of reducing surface pressure to sea level are reviewed, and an alternative, adjusted pressure, P, is proposed. P is obtained from solution of a Poisson equation over a continental region, using the simplest boundary condition along the perimeter or coastline where P equals the sea level pressure. The use of P would avoid the empiricisms and disadvantages of pressure reduction to sea level, and would produce surface pressure charts which depict the true geostrophic wind at the surface.

Visible and Thermal Imaging of Sea Ice and Open Water from Coast Guard Arctic Domain Awareness Flights

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-09-30

dropsondes, micro- aircraft), cloud top/base heights Arctic Ocean Surface Temperature project Steele Buoy drops for SLP , SST, SSS, & surface velocity...Colón & Vancas (NIC) Drop buoys for SLP , temperature and surface velocity Waves & Fetch in the MIZ Thompson SWIFTS buoys measuring wave energy...Expendable CTD, AXCP= Air Expendable Current Profiler, SLP = Sea Level atmospheric Pressure, SST= Seas Surface Temperature, A/C= aircraft, FSD= Floe Size Distribution, SIC=Sea Ice Concentration

An atlas of monthly mean distributions of GEOSAT sea surface height, SSMI surface wind speed, AVHRR/2 sea surface temperature, and ECMWF surface wind components during 1988

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Halpern, D.; Zlotnicki, V.; Newman, J.; Brown, O.; Wentz, F.

1991-01-01

Monthly mean global distributions for 1988 are presented with a common color scale and geographical map. Distributions are included for sea surface height variation estimated from GEOSAT; surface wind speed estimated from the Special Sensor Microwave Imager on the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program spacecraft; sea surface temperature estimated from the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer on NOAA spacecrafts; and the Cartesian components of the 10m height wind vector computed by the European Center for Medium Range Weather Forecasting. Charts of monthly mean value, sampling distribution, and standard deviation value are displayed. Annual mean distributions are displayed.

An Evaluation of Sea Surface Temperature as Measured by the Nimbus 1 High Resolution Infrared Radiometer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Allison, Lewis J.; Kennedy, James S.

1967-01-01

An analysis of Nimbus I HRIR data over various parts of the world indicated limited success in deriving sea surface temperatures to within 3 to 6 K of aircraft radiation measurements (8- 13 microns) and synoptic-climatological ship sea surface temperature data. The areas studied included the east, west and Gulf coasts of the United States, West Greenland, Nova Scotia, southern Japan, the eastern Mediterranean Sea, Caspian Sea, Persian Gulf, and the Indian Ocean. At night, thin clouds which may fill the radiometer's field of view make it difficult to interpret the absolute values of derived sea surface temperature. During the daytime, the HRIR data is unusable for oceanographic temperature analysis because the contamination by reflected solar radiation mixes with the emitted radiation. Future satellite instrumentation, consisting of a HFUR radiometer (10-11 microns) when used in conjunction with television. data, will delineate cloud free ocean areas and permit the daily derivation of sea surface temperatures from approximately 10 to 30 Percent of the world's oceanic regions.

SRS in the single molecule limit (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Potma, Eric O.; Crampton, Kevin T.; Fast, Alexander; Apkarian, Vartkess A.

2017-02-01

We present combined surface-enhanced stimulated Raman scattering (SE-SRS) and surface-enhanced coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (SE-CARS) measurements on individual plasmonic antennas dressed with bipyridyl-ethylene molecules. By carefully optimizing the conditions for performing SE-SRS experiments, we have obtained stable and reproducible molecular surface-enhanced SRS spectra from single nano-antennas. Using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and transmission electron microscopy of the same antennas, we confirm that the observed SE-SRS signals originate from only one or a few molecules. We highlight the physics of surface enhancement in the context of coherent Raman scattering and derive sensitivity parameters under the relevant conditions. The implications of single molecule SRS measurements are discussed.

Examination of Surface Roughness on Light Scattering by Long Ice Columns by Use of a Two-Dimensional Finite-Difference Time-Domain Algorithm

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sun, W.; Loeb, N. G.; Videen, G.; Fu, Q.

2004-01-01

Natural particles such as ice crystals in cirrus clouds generally are not pristine but have additional micro-roughness on their surfaces. A two-dimensional finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) program with a perfectly matched layer absorbing boundary condition is developed to calculate the effect of surface roughness on light scattering by long ice columns. When we use a spatial cell size of 1/120 incident wavelength for ice circular cylinders with size parameters of 6 and 24 at wavelengths of 0.55 and 10.8 mum, respectively, the errors in the FDTD results in the extinction, scattering, and absorption efficiencies are smaller than similar to 0.5%. The errors in the FDTD results in the asymmetry factor are smaller than similar to 0.05%. The errors in the FDTD results in the phase-matrix elements are smaller than similar to 5%. By adding a pseudorandom change as great as 10% of the radius of a cylinder, we calculate the scattering properties of randomly oriented rough-surfaced ice columns. We conclude that, although the effect of small surface roughness on light scattering is negligible, the scattering phase-matrix elements change significantly for particles with large surface roughness. The roughness on the particle surface can make the conventional phase function smooth. The most significant effect of the surface roughness is the decay of polarization of the scattered light.

Coherent scattering of a spherical wave from an irregular surface. [antenna pattern effects

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fung, A. K.

1983-01-01

The scattering of a spherical wave from a rough surface using the Kirchhoff approximation is considered. An expression representing the measured coherent scattering coefficient is derived. It is shown that the sphericity of the wavefront and the antenna pattern can become an important factor in the interpretation of ground-based measurements. The condition under which the coherent scattering-coefficient expression reduces to that corresponding to a plane wave incidence is given. The condition under which the result reduces to the standard image solution is also derived. In general, the consideration of antenna pattern and sphericity is unimportant unless the surface-height standard deviation is small, i.e., unless the coherent scattering component is significant. An application of the derived coherent backscattering coefficient together with the existing incoherent scattering coefficient to interpret measurements from concrete and asphalt surfaces is shown.

Progress in radar snow research. [Brookings, South Dakota

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stiles, W. H.; Ulaby, F. T.; Fung, A. K.; Aslam, A.

1981-01-01

Multifrequency measurements of the radar backscatter from snow-covered terrain were made at several sites in Brookings, South Dakota, during the month of March of 1979. The data are used to examine the response of the scattering coefficient to the following parameters: (1) snow surface roughness, (2) snow liquid water content, and (3) snow water equivalent. The results indicate that the scattering coefficient is insensitive to snow surface roughness if the snow is drv. For wet snow, however, surface roughness can have a strong influence on the magnitude of the scattering coefficient. These observations confirm the results predicted by a theoretical model that describes the snow as a volume of Rayleig scatterers, bounded by a Gaussian random surface. In addition, empirical models were developed to relate the scattering coefficient to snow liquid water content and the dependence of the scattering coefficient on water equivalent was evaluated for both wet and dry snow conditions.

Validation of Aquarius Measurements Using Radiative Transfer Models at L-Band

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dinnat, E.; LeVine, David M.; Abraham, S.; DeMattheis, P.; Utku, C.

2012-01-01

Aquarius/SAC-D was launched in June 2011 by NASA and CONAE (Argentine space agency). Aquarius includes three L-band (1.4 GHz) radiometers dedicated to measuring sea surface salinity. We report detailed comparisons of Aquarius measurements with radiative transfer model predictions. These comparisons were used as part ofthe initial assessment of Aquarius data. In particular, they were used successfully to estimate the radiometer calibration bias and stability. Further comparisons are being performed to assess the performance of models in the retrieval algorithm for correcting the effect of sources of geophysical "noise" (e.g. the galactic background, atmospheric attenuation and reflected signal from the Sun). Such corrections are critical in bringing the error in retrieved salinity down to the required 0.2 practical salinity unit (psu) on monthly global maps at 150 km by 150 km resolution. The forward models making up the Aquarius simulator have been very useful for preparatory studies in the years leading to Aquarius' launch. The simulator includes various components to compute effects ofthe following processes on the measured signal: 1) emission from Earth surfaces (ocean, land, ice), 2) atmospheric emission and absorption, 3) emission from the Sun, Moon and celestial Sky (directly through the antenna sidelobes or after reflection/scattering at the Earth surface), 4) Faraday rotation, and 5) convolution of the scene by the antenna gain patterns. Since the Aquarius radiometers tum-on in late July 2011, the simulator has been used to perform a first order validation of the data. This included checking the order of magnitude ofthe signal over ocean, land and ice surfaces, checking the relative amplitude of signal at different polarizations, and checking the variation with incidence angle. The comparisons were also used to assess calibration bias and monitor instruments calibration drift. The simulator is also being used in the salinity retrieval. For example, initial assessments of the salinity retrieved from Aquarius data showed degradation in accuracy at locations where glint from the galactic sky background was important. This was traced to an inaccurate correction for the Sky glint. We present comparisons of the simulator prediction to the Aquarius data in order to assess the performances of the models of various physical processes impacting the measurements, such as the effect of sea surface roughness, the impact of the celestial Sky and the Sun emission scattered at the rough ocean surface. We discuss what components of the simulator appear reliable and which ones need improvements. Improved knowledge on the radiative transfer models at L-band will not only lead to better salinity retrieved from Aquarius data, it will also allow be beneficial for SMOS or the upcoming SMAP mission.

The Impact of Moisture Intrusions from Lower Latitudes on Arctic Net Surface Radiative Fluxes and Sea Ice Growth in Fall and Winter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hegyi, B. M.; Taylor, P. C.

2017-12-01

The fall and winter seasons mark an important period in the evolution of Arctic sea ice, where energy is transferred away from the surface to facilitate the cooling of the surface and the growth of Arctic sea ice extent and thickness. Climatologically, these seasons are characterized by distinct periods of increased and reduced surface cooling and sea ice growth. Periods of reduced sea ice growth and surface cooling are associated with cloudy conditions and the transport of warm and moist air from lower latitudes, termed moisture intrusions. In the research presented, we explore the regional and Arctic-wide impact of moisture intrusions on the surface net radiative fluxes and sea ice growth for each fall and winter season from 2000/01-2015/16, utilizing MERRA2 reanalysis data, PIOMAS sea ice thickness data, and daily CERES radiative flux data. Consistent with previous studies, we find that positive anomalies in downwelling longwave surface flux are associated with increased temperature and water vapor content in the atmospheric column contained within the moisture intrusions. Interestingly, there are periods of increased downwelling LW flux anomalies that persist for one week or longer (i.e. longer than synoptic timescales) that are associated with persistent poleward flux of warm, moist air from lower latitudes. These persistent anomalies significantly reduce the regional growth of Arctic sea ice, and may in part explain the interannual variability of fall and winter Arctic sea ice growth.

Coastal Atmosphere and Sea Time Series (CoASTS)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hooker, Stanford B. (Editor); Firestone, Elaine R. (Editor); Berthon, Jean-Francoise; Zibordi, Giuseppe; Doyle, John P.; Grossi, Stefania; vanderLinde, Dirk; Targa, Cristina; McClain, Charles R. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

In this document, the first three years of a time series of bio-optical marine and atmospheric measurements are presented and analyzed. These measurements were performed from an oceanographic tower in the northern Adriatic Sea within the framework of the Coastal Atmosphere and Sea Time Series (CoASTS) project, an ocean color calibration and validation activity. The data set collected includes spectral measurements of the in-water apparent (diffuse attenuation coefficient, reflectance, Q-factor, etc.) and inherent (absorption and scattering coefficients) optical properties, as well as the concentrations of the main optical components (pigment and suspended matter concentrations). Clear seasonal patterns are exhibited by the marine quantities on which an appreciable short-term variability (on the order of a half day to one day) is superimposed. This short-term variability is well correlated with the changes in salinity at the surface resulting from the southward transport of freshwater coming from the northern rivers. Concentrations of chlorophyll alpha and total suspended matter span more than two orders of magnitude. The bio-optical characteristics of the measurement site pertain to both Case-I (about 64%) and Case-II (about 36%) waters, based on a relationship between the beam attenuation coefficient at 660nm and the chlorophyll alpha concentration. Empirical algorithms relating in-water remote sensing reflectance ratios and optical components or properties of interest (chlorophyll alpha, total suspended matter, and the diffuse attenuation coefficient) are presented.

Evolution of the transfer function characterization of surface scatter phenomena

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harvey, James E.; Pfisterer, Richard N.

2016-09-01

Based upon the empirical observation that BRDF measurements of smooth optical surfaces exhibited shift-invariant behavior when plotted versus    o , the original Harvey-Shack (OHS) surface scatter theory was developed as a scalar linear systems formulation in which scattered light behavior was characterized by a surface transfer function (STF) reminiscent of the optical transfer function (OTF) of modern image formation theory (1976). This shift-invariant behavior combined with the inverse power law behavior when plotting log BRDF versus log   o was quickly incorporated into several optical analysis software packages. Although there was no explicit smooth-surface approximation in the OHS theory, there was a limitation on both the incident and scattering angles. In 1988 the modified Harvey-Shack (MHS) theory removed the limitation on the angle of incidence; however, a moderate-angle scattering limitation remained. Clearly for large incident angles the BRDF was no longer shift-invariant as a different STF was now required for each incident angle. In 2011 the generalized Harvey-Shack (GHS) surface scatter theory, characterized by a two-parameter family of STFs, evolved into a practical modeling tool to calculate BRDFs from optical surface metrology data for situations that violate the smooth surface approximation inherent in the Rayleigh-Rice theory and/or the moderate-angle limitation of the Beckmann-Kirchhoff theory. And finally, the STF can be multiplied by the classical OTF to provide a complete linear systems formulation of image quality as degraded by diffraction, geometrical aberrations and surface scatter effects from residual optical fabrication errors.

Observing the seasonal cycle of the upper ocean in the Ross Sea, Antarctica, with autonomous profiling floats

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Porter, D. F.; Springer, S. R.; Padman, L.; Fricker, H. A.; Bell, R. E.

2017-12-01

The upper layers of the Southern Ocean where it meets the Antarctic ice sheet undergoes a large seasonal cycle controlled by surface radiation and by freshwater fluxes, both of which are strongly influenced by sea ice. In regions where seasonal sea ice and icebergs limit use of ice-tethered profilers and conventional moorings, autonomous profiling floats can sample the upper ocean. The deployment of seven Apex floats (by sea) and six ALAMO floats (by air) provides unique upper ocean hydrographic data in the Ross Sea close to the Ross Ice Shelf front. A novel choice of mission parameters - setting parking depth deeper than the seabed - limits their drift, allowing us to deploy the floats close to the ice shelf front, while sea ice avoidance algorithms allow the floats to to sample through winter under sea ice. Hydrographic profiles show the detailed development of the seasonal mixed layer close to the Ross front, and interannual variability of the seasonal mixed layer and deeper water masses on the central Ross Sea continental shelf. After the sea ice breakup in spring, a warm and fresh surface mixed layer develops, further warming and deepening throughout the summer. The mixed layer deepens, with maximum temperatures exceeding 0ºC in mid-February. By March, the surface energy budget becomes negative and sea ice begins to form, creating a cold, saline and dense surface layer. Once these processes overcome the stable summer stratification, convection erodes the surface mixed layer, mixing some heat downwards to deeper layers. There is considerable interannual variability in the evolution and strength of the surface mixed layer: summers with shorter ice-free periods result in a cooler and shallower surface mixed layer, which accumulates less heat than the summers with longer ice-free periods. Early ice breakup occurred in all floats in 2016/17 summer, enhancing the absorbed solar flux leading to a warmer surface mixed layer. Together, these unique measurements from autonomous profilers provide insight into the hydrographic state of the Ross Sea at the start of the spring period of sea-ice breakup, and how ocean mixing and sea ice interact to initiate the summer open-water season.

An analysis of short pulse and dual frequency radar techniques for measuring ocean wave spectra from satellites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jackson, F. C.

1980-01-01

Scanning beam microwave radars were used to measure ocean wave directional spectra from satellites. In principle, surface wave spectral resolution in wave number can be obtained using either short pulse (SP) or dual frequency (DF) techniques; in either case, directional resolution obtains naturally as a consequence of a Bragg-like wave front matching. A four frequency moment characterization of backscatter from the near vertical using physical optics in the high frequency limit was applied to an analysis of the SP and DF measurement techniques. The intrinsic electromagnetic modulation spectrum was to the first order in wave steepness proportional to the large wave directional slope spectrum. Harmonic distortion was small and was a minimum near 10 deg incidence. NonGaussian wave statistics can have an effect comparable to that in the second order of scattering from a normally distributed sea surface. The SP technique is superior to the DF technique in terms of measurement signal to noise ratio and contrast ratio.

Skylab S-193 radar altimeter experiment analyses and results

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brown, G. S. (Editor)

1977-01-01

The design of optimum filtering procedures for geoid recovery is discussed. Statistical error bounds are obtained for pointing angle estimates using average waveform data. A correlation of tracking loop bandwidth with magnitude of pointing error is established. The impact of ocean currents and precipitation on the received power are shown to be measurable effects. For large sea state conditions, measurements of sigma 0 deg indicate a distinct saturation level of about 8 dB. Near-nadir less than 15 deg values of sigma 0 deg are also presented and compared with theoretical models. Examination of Great Salt Lake Desert scattering data leads to rejection of a previously hypothesized specularly reflecting surface. Pulse-to-pulse correlation results are in agreement with quasi-monochromatic optics theoretical predictions and indicate a means for estimating direction of pointing error. Pulse compression techniques for and results of estimating significant waveheight from waveform data are presented and are also shown to be in good agreement with surface truth data. A number of results pertaining to system performance are presented.

Aerosol effect on cloud droplet size as monitored from surface-based remote sensing over East China Sea region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pandithurai, G.; Takamura, T.; Yamaguchi, J.; Miyagi, K.; Takano, T.; Ishizaka, Y.; Dipu, S.; Shimizu, A.

2009-07-01

The effect of increased aerosol concentrations on the low-level, non-precipitating, ice-free stratus clouds is examined using a suite of surface-based remote sensing systems. Cloud droplet effective radius and liquid water path are retrieved using cloud radar and microwave radiometer. Collocated measurements of aerosol scattering coefficient, size distribution and cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) concentrations were used to examine the response of cloud droplet size and optical thickness to increased CCN proxies. During the episodic events of increase in aerosol accumulation-mode volume distribution, the decrease in droplet size and increase in cloud optical thickness is observed. The indirect effect estimates are made for both droplet effective radius and cloud optical thickness for different liquid water path ranges and they range 0.02-0.18 and 0.005-0.154, respectively. Data are also categorized into thin and thick clouds based on cloud geometric thickness (Δz) and estimates show IE values are relatively higher for thicker clouds.

Copper in the sediment and sea surface microlayer near a fallowed, open-net fish farm.

PubMed

Loucks, Ronald H; Smith, Ruth E; Fisher, Clyde V; Fisher, E Brian

2012-09-01

Sediment and sea surface microlayer samples near an open-net salmon farm in Nova Scotia, were analysed for copper. Copper is a constituent of the feed and is an active ingredient of anti-foulants. The salmon farm was placed in fallow after 15 years of production. Sampling was pursued over 27 months. Elevated copper concentrations in the sediments indicated the farm site as a source. Bubble flotation due to gas-emitting sediments from eutrophication is a likely process for accumulating copper in the sea surface microlayer at enriched concentrations. Elevated and enriched concentrations in the sea surface microlayer over distance from the farm site led, as a result of wind-drift, to an enlarged farm footprint. The levels of copper in both sediments and sea surface microlayer exceeded guidelines for protection of marine life. Over the 27 months period, copper levels persisted in the sediments and decreased gradually in the sea surface microlayer. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Radar sea reflection for low-e targets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chow, Winston C.; Groves, Gordon W.

1998-09-01

Modeling radar signal reflection from a wavy sea surface uses a realistic characteristic of the large surface features and parameterizes the effect of the small roughness elements. Representation of the reflection coefficient at each point of the sea surface as a function of the Specular Deviation Angle is, to our knowledge, a novel approach. The objective is to achieve enough simplification and retain enough fidelity to obtain a practical multipath model. The 'specular deviation angle' as used in this investigation is defined and explained. Being a function of the sea elevations, which are stochastic in nature, this quantity is also random and has a probability density function. This density function depends on the relative geometry of the antenna and target positions, and together with the beam- broadening effect of the small surface ripples determined the reflectivity of the sea surface at each point. The probability density function of the specular deviation angle is derived. The distribution of the specular deviation angel as function of position on the mean sea surface is described.

Sun-stirred Kraken Mare: Circulation in Titan's seas induced by solar heating and methane precipitation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tokano, T.; Lorenz, R. D.

2015-10-01

Density-driven circulation in Titan's seas forced by solar heating and methane evaporation/precipitation is simulated by an ocean circulation model. If the sea is transparent to sunlight, solar heating can induce anti-clockwise gyres near the sea surface and clockwise gyres near the sea bottom. The gyres are in geostrophic balance between the radially symmetric pressure gradient force and Coriolis force. If instead the sea is turbid and most sunlight is absorbed near the sea surface, the sea gets stratified in warm seasons and the circulation remains weak. Strong summer precipitation at high latitudes causes compositional stratification and increase of the nearsurface methane mole fraction towards the north pole. The resultant latitudinal density contrast drives a meridional overturning with equatorward currents near the sea surface and poleward currents near the sea bottom. Weak precipitation induces gyres rather than meridional overturning.

Deep Water Ocean Acoustics

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-07-17

under- ice scattering, bathymetric diffraction and the application of the ocean acoustic Parabolic Equation to infrasound. 2. Tasks a. Task 1...and Climate of the Ocean, Phase II (ECCO2): High-Resolution Global-Ocean and Sea- Ice Data Synthesis) model re- analysis for the years 1992 and 1993...The ECCO2 model is a state estimation based upon data syntheses obtained by least squares fitting of the global ocean and sea- ice configuration of

Effect of sea breeze circulation on aerosol mixing state and radiative properties in a desert setting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Derimian, Yevgeny; Choël, Marie; Rudich, Yinon; Deboudt, Karine; Dubovik, Oleg; Laskin, Alexander; Legrand, Michel; Damiri, Bahaiddin; Koren, Ilan; Unga, Florin; Moreau, Myriam; Andreae, Meinrat O.; Karnieli, Arnon

2017-09-01

Chemical composition, microphysical, and optical properties of atmospheric aerosol deep inland in the Negev Desert of Israel are found to be influenced by daily occurrences of sea breeze flow from the Mediterranean Sea. Abrupt increases in aerosol volume concentration and shifts of size distributions towards larger sizes, which are associated with increase in wind speed and atmospheric water content, were systematically recorded during the summertime at a distance of at least 80 km from the coast. Chemical imaging of aerosol samples showed an increased contribution of highly hygroscopic particles during the intrusion of the sea breeze. Besides a significant fraction of marine aerosols, the amount of internally mixed marine and mineral dust particles was also increased during the sea breeze period. The number fraction of marine and internally mixed particles during the sea breeze reached up to 88 % in the PM1-2. 5 and up to 62 % in the PM2. 5-10 size range. Additionally, numerous particles with residuals of liquid coating were observed by SEM/EDX analysis. Ca-rich dust particles that had reacted with anthropogenic nitrates were evidenced by Raman microspectroscopy. The resulting hygroscopic particles can deliquesce at very low relative humidity. Our observations suggest that aerosol hygroscopic growth in the Negev Desert is induced by the daily sea breeze arrival. The varying aerosol microphysical and optical characteristics perturb the solar and thermal infrared radiations. The changes in aerosol properties induced by the sea breeze, relative to the background situation, doubled the shortwave radiative cooling at the surface (from -10 to -20.5 W m-2) and increased by almost 3 times the warming of the atmosphere (from 5 to 14 W m-2), as evaluated for a case study. Given the important value of observed liquid coating of particles, we also examined the possible influence of the particle homogeneity assumption on the retrieval of aerosol microphysical characteristics. The tests suggest that sensitivity to the coating appears if backward scattering and polarimetric measurements are available for the inversion algorithm. This may have an important implication for retrievals of aerosol microphysical properties in remote sensing applications.

Radiative and thermodynamic responses to aerosol extinction profiles during the pre-monsoon month over South Asia

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Feng, Y.; Kotamarthi, V. R.; Coulter, R.

Aerosol radiative effects and thermodynamic responses over South Asia are examined with the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry (WRF-Chem) for March 2012. Model results of aerosol optical depths (AODs) and extinction profiles are analyzed and compared to satellite retrievals and two ground-based lidars located in northern India. The WRF-Chem model is found to heavily underestimate the AOD during the simulated pre-monsoon month and about 83 % of the model's low bias is due to aerosol extinctions below ~2 km. Doubling the calculated aerosol extinctions below 850 hPa generates much better agreement with the observed AOD and extinction profilesmore » averaged over South Asia. To separate the effect of absorption and scattering properties, two runs were conducted: in one run (Case I), the calculated scattering and absorption coefficients were increased proportionally, while in the second run (Case II) only the calculated aerosol scattering coefficient was increased. With the same AOD and extinction profiles, the two runs produce significantly different radiative effects over land and oceans. On the regional mean basis, Case I generates 48% more heating in the atmosphere and 21% more dimming at the surface than Case II. Case I also produces stronger cooling responses over the land from the longwave radiation adjustment and boundary layer mixing. These rapid adjustments offset the stronger radiative heating in Case I and lead to an overall lower-troposphere cooling up to -0.7K day −1, which is smaller than that in Case II. Over the ocean, direct radiative effects dominate the heating rate changes in the lower atmosphere lacking such surface and lower atmosphere adjustments due to fixed sea surface temperature, and the strongest atmospheric warming is obtained in Case I. Consequently, atmospheric dynamics (boundary layer heights and meridional circulation) and thermodynamic processes (water vapor and cloudiness) are shown to respond differently between Case I and Case II, underlining the importance of determining the exact portion of scattering or absorbing aerosols that lead to the underestimation of aerosol optical depth in the model. Additionally, the model results suggest that both the direct radiative effect and rapid thermodynamic responses need to be quantified for understanding aerosol radiative impacts.« less

Radiative and thermodynamic responses to aerosol extinction profiles during the pre-monsoon month over South Asia

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Feng, Y.; Kotamarthi, V. R.; Coulter, R.

Aerosol radiative effects and thermodynamic responses over South Asia are examined with a version of the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry (WRF-Chem) for March 2012. Model results of Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) and extinction profiles are analyzed and compared to satellite retrievals and two ground-based lidars located in the northern India. The WRF-Chem model is found to underestimate the AOD during the simulated pre-monsoon month and about 83 % of the model low-bias is due to aerosol extinctions below ~2 km. Doubling the calculated aerosol extinctions below 850 hPa generates much better agreement with the observed AODmore » and extinction profiles averaged over South Asia. To separate the effect of absorption and scattering properties, two runs were conducted: in one run (Case I), the calculated scattering and absorption coefficients were increased proportionally, while in the second run (Case II) only the calculated aerosol scattering coefficient was increased. With the same AOD and extinction profiles, the two runs produce significantly different radiative effects over land and oceans. On the regional mean basis, Case I generates 48 % more heating in the atmosphere and 21 % more dimming at the surface than Case II. Case I also produces stronger cooling responses over the land from the longwave radiation adjustment and boundary layer mixing. These rapid adjustments offset the stronger radiative heating in Case I and lead to an overall lower-troposphere cooling up to -0.7 K day −1, which is smaller than that in Case II. Over the ocean, direct radiative effects dominate the heating rate changes in the lower atmosphere lacking such surface and lower atmosphere adjustments due to fixed sea surface temperature, and the strongest atmospheric warming is obtained in Case I. Consequently, atmospheric dynamics (boundary layer heights and meridional circulation) and thermodynamic processes (water vapor and cloudiness) are shown to respond differently between Case I and Case II underlying the importance of determining the exact portion of scattering or absorbing aerosols that lead to the underestimation of aerosol optical depth in the model. In addition, the model results suggest that both direct radiative effect and rapid thermodynamic responses need to be quantified for understanding aerosol radiative impacts.« less

Radiative and thermodynamic responses to aerosol extinction profiles during the pre-monsoon month over South Asia

DOE PAGES

Feng, Y.; Kotamarthi, V. R.; Coulter, R.; ...

2016-01-18

Aerosol radiative effects and thermodynamic responses over South Asia are examined with the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry (WRF-Chem) for March 2012. Model results of aerosol optical depths (AODs) and extinction profiles are analyzed and compared to satellite retrievals and two ground-based lidars located in northern India. The WRF-Chem model is found to heavily underestimate the AOD during the simulated pre-monsoon month and about 83 % of the model's low bias is due to aerosol extinctions below ~2 km. Doubling the calculated aerosol extinctions below 850 hPa generates much better agreement with the observed AOD and extinction profilesmore » averaged over South Asia. To separate the effect of absorption and scattering properties, two runs were conducted: in one run (Case I), the calculated scattering and absorption coefficients were increased proportionally, while in the second run (Case II) only the calculated aerosol scattering coefficient was increased. With the same AOD and extinction profiles, the two runs produce significantly different radiative effects over land and oceans. On the regional mean basis, Case I generates 48% more heating in the atmosphere and 21% more dimming at the surface than Case II. Case I also produces stronger cooling responses over the land from the longwave radiation adjustment and boundary layer mixing. These rapid adjustments offset the stronger radiative heating in Case I and lead to an overall lower-troposphere cooling up to -0.7K day −1, which is smaller than that in Case II. Over the ocean, direct radiative effects dominate the heating rate changes in the lower atmosphere lacking such surface and lower atmosphere adjustments due to fixed sea surface temperature, and the strongest atmospheric warming is obtained in Case I. Consequently, atmospheric dynamics (boundary layer heights and meridional circulation) and thermodynamic processes (water vapor and cloudiness) are shown to respond differently between Case I and Case II, underlining the importance of determining the exact portion of scattering or absorbing aerosols that lead to the underestimation of aerosol optical depth in the model. Additionally, the model results suggest that both the direct radiative effect and rapid thermodynamic responses need to be quantified for understanding aerosol radiative impacts.« less

Radiative and thermodynamic responses to aerosol extinction profiles during the pre-monsoon month over South Asia

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Feng, Y.; Kotamarthi, V. R.; Coulter, R.

Aerosol radiative effects and thermodynamic responses over South Asia are examined with the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry (WRF-Chem) for March 2012. Model results of aerosol optical depths (AODs) and extinction profiles are analyzed and compared to satellite retrievals and two ground-based lidars located in northern India. The WRF-Chem model is found to heavily underestimate the AOD during the simulated pre-monsoon month and about 83 % of the model's low bias is due to aerosol extinctions below ~2 km. Doubling the calculated aerosol extinctions below 850 hPa generates much better agreement with the observed AOD and extinction profilesmore » averaged over South Asia. To separate the effect of absorption and scattering properties, two runs were conducted: in one run (Case I), the calculated scattering and absorption coefficients were increased proportionally, while in the second run (Case II) only the calculated aerosol scattering coefficient was increased. With the same AOD and extinction profiles, the two runs produce significantly different radiative effects over land and oceans. On the regional mean basis, Case I generates 48 % more heating in the atmosphere and 21 % more dimming at the surface than Case II. Case I also produces stronger cooling responses over the land from the longwave radiation adjustment and boundary layer mixing. These rapid adjustments offset the stronger radiative heating in Case I and lead to an overall lower-troposphere cooling up to -0.7 K day −1, which is smaller than that in Case II. Over the ocean, direct radiative effects dominate the heating rate changes in the lower atmosphere lacking such surface and lower atmosphere adjustments due to fixed sea surface temperature, and the strongest atmospheric warming is obtained in Case I. Consequently, atmospheric dynamics (boundary layer heights and meridional circulation) and thermodynamic processes (water vapor and cloudiness) are shown to respond differently between Case I and Case II, underlining the importance of determining the exact portion of scattering or absorbing aerosols that lead to the underestimation of aerosol optical depth in the model. In addition, the model results suggest that both the direct radiative effect and rapid thermodynamic responses need to be quantified for understanding aerosol radiative impacts.« less

Radiative and thermodynamic responses to aerosol extinction profiles during the pre-monsoon month over South Asia

DOE PAGES

Feng, Y.; Kotamarthi, V. R.; Coulter, R.; ...

2015-06-19

Aerosol radiative effects and thermodynamic responses over South Asia are examined with a version of the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry (WRF-Chem) for March 2012. Model results of Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) and extinction profiles are analyzed and compared to satellite retrievals and two ground-based lidars located in the northern India. The WRF-Chem model is found to underestimate the AOD during the simulated pre-monsoon month and about 83 % of the model low-bias is due to aerosol extinctions below ~2 km. Doubling the calculated aerosol extinctions below 850 hPa generates much better agreement with the observed AODmore » and extinction profiles averaged over South Asia. To separate the effect of absorption and scattering properties, two runs were conducted: in one run (Case I), the calculated scattering and absorption coefficients were increased proportionally, while in the second run (Case II) only the calculated aerosol scattering coefficient was increased. With the same AOD and extinction profiles, the two runs produce significantly different radiative effects over land and oceans. On the regional mean basis, Case I generates 48 % more heating in the atmosphere and 21 % more dimming at the surface than Case II. Case I also produces stronger cooling responses over the land from the longwave radiation adjustment and boundary layer mixing. These rapid adjustments offset the stronger radiative heating in Case I and lead to an overall lower-troposphere cooling up to -0.7 K day −1, which is smaller than that in Case II. Over the ocean, direct radiative effects dominate the heating rate changes in the lower atmosphere lacking such surface and lower atmosphere adjustments due to fixed sea surface temperature, and the strongest atmospheric warming is obtained in Case I. Consequently, atmospheric dynamics (boundary layer heights and meridional circulation) and thermodynamic processes (water vapor and cloudiness) are shown to respond differently between Case I and Case II underlying the importance of determining the exact portion of scattering or absorbing aerosols that lead to the underestimation of aerosol optical depth in the model. In addition, the model results suggest that both direct radiative effect and rapid thermodynamic responses need to be quantified for understanding aerosol radiative impacts.« less

Atmospheric Optical Properties and Spectral Analysis of Desert Aerosols

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yvgeni, D.; Karnieli, A.; Kaufman, Y. J.; Andreae, M. O.; Holben, B. N.; Maenhaut, W.

2002-05-01

Scientific background Aerosols can interact directly with solar and terrestrial radiation by scattering as well as absorption. In addition, they can indirectly alter the planetary albedo by modifying the properties of clouds. Objectives Investigations have been devoted to two main areas: (1) Aerosol climatology situation in the Negev desert, investigations of physical and chemical characteristics of aerosols, and study of the local and long-range transport trajectory of polluted air masses over the Negev desert; and (2) An estimation of the optical properties throughout the atmospheric column by surface measurements via performance of spectral and statistical analysis of the data received from two measurement systems. Results and conclusions Analyzed data from the Sede Boker site, in the Negev Desert of Israel, shows an increase in aerosol optical depth during the summer seasons and a decrease during winter. One of the possible reasons for this characteristic is an increase of the precipitable water (reaches 3.0-3.5 cm) due to a constant wind stream from the Mediterranean Sea in same time. The highest probability distribution of the aerosol optical depth is in the range of 0.15-0.20; and of the Angstrom parameter is in range of 0.83 - 1.07. During dust storm events, the scattering coefficient range at 670 nm and 440 nm wavelengths were inverted. It was discovered that the dust particles in this case had non-spherical character. Comparison between optical depth, measured through all atmospheric column, and scattering coefficient from surface measurements provides correlation coefficient (r) equal to 0.64. The Angstrom parameter, calculated via optical depth and via scattering coefficient, provides a correlation coefficient of 0.66. Thus we can obtain an estimate of the influence of the surface aerosol situation on column optical properties. The combined analysis of dust cloud altitude and optical depth as a function of the time indicates long-term transport and settling of the aerosol, thus this analysis allowed to get a qualitative relation with trajectories and transport models. An additional finding is that except for the dust storms, the aerosol optical properties defined by fine particles, i.e. product of urban pollution. Possible explanations for this situation are the pollution sources in the Israeli Mediterranean coast, where population and industrial centers are concentrated, and long-range transport of polluted air masses from the European region.

Wavelength dependence in radio-wave scattering and specular-point theory

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tyler, G. L.

1976-01-01

Radio-wave scattering from natural surfaces contains a strong quasispecular component that at fixed wavelengths is consistent with specular-point theory, but often has a strong wavelength dependence that is not predicted by physical optics calculations under the usual limitations of specular-point models. Wavelength dependence can be introduced by a physical approximation that preserves the specular-point assumptions with respect to the radii of curvature of a fictitious, effective scattering surface obtained by smoothing the actual surface. A uniform low-pass filter model of the scattering process yields explicit results for the effective surface roughness versus wavelength. Interpretation of experimental results from planetary surfaces indicates that the asymptotic surface height spectral densities fall at least as fast as an inverse cube of spatial frequency. Asymptotic spectral densities for Mars and portions of the lunar surface evidently decrease more rapidly.

Doppler characteristics of sea clutter.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Raynal, Ann Marie; Doerry, Armin Walter

2010-06-01

Doppler radars can distinguish targets from clutter if the target's velocity along the radar line of sight is beyond that of the clutter. Some targets of interest may have a Doppler shift similar to that of clutter. The nature of sea clutter is different in the clutter and exo-clutter regions. This behavior requires special consideration regarding where a radar can expect to find sea-clutter returns in Doppler space and what detection algorithms are most appropriate to help mitigate false alarms and increase probability of detection of a target. This paper studies the existing state-of-the-art in the understanding of Doppler characteristicsmore » of sea clutter and scattering from the ocean to better understand the design and performance choices of a radar in differentiating targets from clutter under prevailing sea conditions.« less

Albedo of cold sea ice with precipitated salt on the tropical ocean of Snowball Earth: field measurements and laboratory experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Light, B.; Black, T.; Carns, R.; Brandt, R.; Dadic, R.; Warren, S.

2012-04-01

During the initial freezing of the tropical ocean on Snowball Earth, the first ice to form would be sea ice, which contains salt within liquid brine inclusions. At temperatures below -23 C, significant amounts of salt begin to crystallize within the brine inclusions. These crystals scatter light, increasing the ice albedo. The most abundant salt is hydrohalite, NaCl.2H2O. A dry tropical atmosphere promoting ice surface sublimation would cause a salt crust to be left on the surface as a lag deposit. Such a high-albedo surface could be crucial during the snowball initiation. These processes must be considered when assigning albedos to sea ice in a climate model of Snowball Earth. Precipitation of salt within brine inclusions was observed on windswept bare ice of McMurdo Sound at the coast of Antarctica (78 S) in late winter. Consequently the albedo was higher at lower temperature. The precipitation process exhibited hysteresis, with hydrohalite precipitating at about -30 C and dissolving at about -23 C. The causes of the hysteresis are being investigated in laboratory experiments; they may involve biological macromolecules. Nowhere on the modern Earth does sea ice undergo sublimation at low temperatures for long enough to develop a salt crust before the summer melt begins, so this process is being investigated in our laboratory. A 1000-liter tank is used to grow artificial sea ice, and a system has been built to measure its albedo. A diffusely reflecting hemispherical dome of diameter 1.2 m is placed on top of the tank and illuminated from within. The interior of the dome illuminates the ice surface as well as serving as a platform for detecting the incident and backscattered radiance fields. The diffusely reflecting surfaces of the ice and the dome make it straightforward to estimate incoming and reflected irradiance as angular integrals of the radiance measurements. The albedo of the bare, cold (below -23 C) ice is 0.8 at visible wavelengths, decreasing toward the near-infrared but remaining higher than that of warmer ice. The salt crust has very high albedo, >0.9 for wavelengths 300-1000 nm, and remains much higher than snow across the near-infrared. Halite (NaCl) is nonabsorptive throughout the solar spectrum, but the hydrohalite crust contains two waters of hydration and does show water-absorption features at 1500 and 2000 nm, as expected. When the crust was warmed to -20 C, saline puddles formed and the albedo dropped dramatically. The spectral albedos are integrated over wavelength, using a solar spectrum appropriate for the tropical snowball ocean, to obtain broadband albedos. Preliminary values for the broadband albedos are 0.89 for the salt crust, 0.56 for bare subeutectic ice without a crust, and 0.32 for puddled melting ice.

Retrieval of background surface reflectance with BRD components from pre-running BRDF

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choi, Sungwon; Lee, Kyeong-Sang; Jin, Donghyun; Lee, Darae; Han, Kyung-Soo

2016-10-01

Many countries try to launch satellite to observe the Earth surface. As important of surface remote sensing is increased, the reflectance of surface is a core parameter of the ground climate. But observing the reflectance of surface by satellite have weakness such as temporal resolution and being affected by view or solar angles. The bidirectional effects of the surface reflectance may make many noises to the time series. These noises can lead to make errors when determining surface reflectance. To correct bidirectional error of surface reflectance, using correction model for normalized the sensor data is necessary. A Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) is making accuracy higher method to correct scattering (Isotropic scattering, Geometric scattering, Volumetric scattering). To correct bidirectional error of surface reflectance, BRDF was used in this study. To correct bidirectional error of surface reflectance, we apply Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) to retrieve surface reflectance. And we apply 2 steps for retrieving Background Surface Reflectance (BSR). The first step is retrieving Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution (BRD) coefficients. Before retrieving BSR, we did pre-running BRDF to retrieve BRD coefficients to correct scatterings (Isotropic scattering, Geometric scattering, Volumetric scattering). In pre-running BRDF, we apply BRDF with observed surface reflectance of SPOT/VEGETATION (VGT-S1) and angular data to get BRD coefficients for calculating scattering. After that, we apply BRDF again in the opposite direction with BRD coefficients and angular data to retrieve BSR as a second step. As a result, BSR has very similar reflectance to one of VGT-S1. And reflectance in BSR is shown adequate. The highest reflectance of BSR is not over 0.4μm in blue channel, 0.45μm in red channel, 0.55μm in NIR channel. And for validation we compare reflectance of clear sky pixel from SPOT/VGT status map data. As a result of comparing BSR with VGT-S1, bias is from 0.0116 to 0.0158 and RMSE is from 0.0459 to 0.0545. They are very reasonable results, so we confirm that BSR is similar to VGT-S1. And weakness of this study is missing pixel in BSR which are observed less time to retrieve BRD components. If missing pixels are filled, BSR is better to retrieve surface products with more accuracy. And we think that after filling the missing pixel and being more accurate, it can be useful data to retrieve surface product which made by surface reflectance like cloud masking and retrieving aerosol.

A Quantitative Test of the Applicability of Independent Scattering to High Albedo Planetary Regoliths

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goguen, Jay D.

1993-01-01

To test the hypothesis that the independent scattering calculation widely used to model radiative transfer in atmospheres and clouds will give a useful approximation to the intensity and linear polarization of visible light scattered from an optically thick surface of transparent particles, laboratory measurements are compared to the independent scattering calculation for a surface of spherical particles with known optical constants and size distribution. Because the shape, size distribution, and optical constants of the particles are known, the independent scattering calculation is completely determined and the only remaining unknown is the net effect of the close packing of the particles in the laboratory sample surface...

Low-Frequency Surface Backscattering Strengths Measured in the Critical Sea Test Experiments

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-01-19

Naval Research Laboratory Washington, DC 20375-5320 NRL/MR/7160--17-9702 Low-Frequency Surface Backscattering Strengths Measured in the Critical Sea ...LIMITATION OF ABSTRACT Low-Frequency Surface Backscattering Strengths Measured in the Critical Sea Test Experiments Roger C. Gauss1 and Joseph M...significantly- updated results from 55 broadband SUS SSS measurements in 6 Critical Sea Test (CST) experiments. Since the time of the previously

Experimental Sea Slicks in the Marsen (Maritime Remote Sensing) Exercise.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-10-30

Experimental slicks with various surface properties were generated in the North Sea as part of the MARSEN (Maritime Remote Sensing ) exercise. The one...with remote sensing instrumentation. Because of the numerous effects of surface films on air-sea interfacial processes, these experiments were designed...information was obtained on the influence of sea surface films on the interpretation of signals received by remote sensing systems. Criteria for the

Abundance and tidal behaviour of pelagic fish in the gateway to the Wadden Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Couperus, Bram; Gastauer, Sven; Fässler, Sascha M. M.; Tulp, Ingrid; van der Veer, Henk W.; Poos, Jan Jaap

2016-03-01

The shallow coast of The Netherlands is an important habitat for small pelagic fish. They form one of the major links between plankton and the higher trophic levels. Predatory fish, sea mammals and birds rely on small pelagic fish as a major food source. Currently, monitoring of fish in the Dutch coastal zone mainly focuses on demersal species, using bottom trawls and fykes. Four hydro-acoustic surveys were carried out in May and October 2010/2011 in the Marsdiep area, a relatively deep tidal inlet in the western Wadden Sea, to quantify abundances of pelagic fish. The aims of this study were to (1) describe temporal and vertical variations in fish distribution and school dimensions in relation to tide, and (2) estimate biomass of pelagic fish and their proportion to total fish biomass. The biomass of pelagic fish in the Marsdiep area ranged between 23 and 411 kg/ha. These were mainly sprat, but also young herring, anchovy and pilchard. The fish was scattered in small schools with volumes smaller than 5m3 and concentrated in the top 10 m below the surface. There was a clear effect of tidal cycle on school volume and fish abundance, with larger densities and larger schools at high tide compared to low tide. In May, sandeel contributed substantially to the pelagic assemblage, whereas in October sandeel was absent in the trawl catches, most likely because they stayed buried in the seabed from late summer to spring. The presence of pilchard and anchovy confirmed their re-establishment in the Southern North Sea and Wadden Sea. The abundance of pelagic fish exceeded the biomass of demersal fish in the western Wadden Sea by an order of magnitude. This finding is relevant for ecosystem studies. The fact that this study suggests that small pelagics outnumber demersal species to such a large extent calls for a rethinking of the allocation of monitoring effort in the Dutch coastal zone.

Sand dune ridge alignment effects on surface BRF over the Libya-4 CEOS calibration site.

PubMed

Govaerts, Yves M

2015-02-03

The Libya-4 desert area, located in the Great Sand Sea, is one of the most important bright desert CEOS pseudo-invariant calibration sites by its size and radiometric stability. This site is intensively used for radiometer drift monitoring, sensor intercalibration and as an absolute calibration reference based on simulated radiances traceable to the SI standard. The Libya-4 morphology is composed of oriented sand dunes shaped by dominant winds. The effects of sand dune spatial organization on the surface bidirectional reflectance factor is analyzed in this paper using Raytran, a 3D radiative transfer model. The topography is characterized with the 30 m resolution ASTER digital elevation model. Four different regions-of-interest sizes, ranging from 10 km up to 100 km, are analyzed. Results show that sand dunes generate more backscattering than forward scattering at the surface. The mean surface reflectance averaged over different viewing and illumination angles is pretty much independent of the size of the selected area, though the standard deviation differs. Sun azimuth position has an effect on the surface reflectance field, which is more pronounced for high Sun zenith angles. Such 3D azimuthal effects should be taken into account to decrease the simulated radiance uncertainty over Libya-4 below 3% for wavelengths larger than 600 nm.

The vertical correction of point cloud strips performed over the coastal zone of changing sea level

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gasińska-Kolyszko, Ewa; Furmańczyk, Kazimierz

2017-10-01

The main principle of LIDAR is to measure the accurate time of the laser pulses sent from the system to the target surface. In the operation, laser pulses gradually scan the water surface and in combination with aircraft speed they should perform almost simultaneous soundings of each strip. Vectors sent from aircraft to the Sea are linked to the position of the aircraft. Coordinates of the points - X, Y, Z, are calculated at the time of each measurement. LIDAR crosses the surface of the sea while other impulses pass through the water column and, depending on the depth of the water, reflect from the seabed. Optical receiver on board of the aircraft detects pulse reflections from the seabed and sea surface. On the tidal water basins lidar strips must be adjusted by the changes in sea level. The operation should be reduced to a few hours during low water level. Typically, a surface of 20 to 30 km2 should be covered in an hour. The Baltic Sea is an inland sea, and the surveyed area is located in its South - western part, where meteorological and hydrological conditions affect the sea level changes in a short period of time. A lidar measurement of sea surface, that was done within 2 days, in the coastal zone of the Baltic Sea and the sea level measured 6 times a day at 8, 12, 16, 20, 00, 04 by a water gauge located in the port of Dziwnów (Poland) were used for this study. On the basis of the lidar data, strips were compared with each other. Calculation of time measurement was made for each single line separately. Profiles showing the variability of sea level for each neighboring and overlapping strips were generated. Differences were calculated changes in sea level were identified and on such basis, an adjustment was possible to perform. Microstation software and terrasolid application were used during the research. The latter allowed automatically and manual classification of the point cloud. A sea surface class was distinguished that way. Point cloud was adjusted to flight lines in terms of time and then compared.

Ultra-Wideband Radiometry Remote Sensing of Polar Ice Sheet Temperature Profile, Sea Ice and Terrestrial Snow Thickness: Forward Modeling and Data Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsang, L.; Tan, S.; Sanamzadeh, M.; Johnson, J. T.; Jezek, K. C.; Durand, M. T.

2017-12-01

The recent development of an ultra-wideband software defined radiometer (UWBRAD) operating over the unprotected spectrum of 0.5 2.0 GHz using radio-frequency interference suppression techniques offers new methodologies for remote sensing of the polar ice sheets, sea ice, and terrestrial snow. The instrument was initially designed for remote sensing of the intragalcial temperature profile of the ice sheet, where a frequency dependent penetration depth yields a frequency dependent brightness temperature (Tb) spectrum that can be linked back to the temperature profile of the ice sheet. The instrument was tested during a short flight over Northwest Greenland in September, 2016. Measurements were successfully made over the different snow facies characteristic of Greenland including the ablation, wet snow and percolation facies, and ended just west of Camp Century during the approach to the dry snow zone. Wide-band emission spectra collected during the flight have been processed and analyzed. Results show that the spectra are highly sensitive to the facies type with scattering from ice lenses being the dominant reason for low Tbs in the percolation zone. Inversion of Tb to physical temperature at depth was conducted on the measurements near Camp Century, achieving a -1.7K ten-meter error compared to borehole measurements. However, there is a relatively large uncertainty in the lower part possibly due to the large scattering near the surface. Wideband radiometry may also be applicable to sea ice and terrestrial snow thickness retrieval. Modeling studies suggest that the UWBRAD spectra reduce ambiguities inherent in other sea ice thickness retrievals by utilizing coherent wave interferences that appear in the Tb spectrum. When applied to a lossless medium such as terrestrial snow, this coherent oscillation turns out to be the single key signature that can be used to link back to snow thickness. In this paper, we report our forward modeling findings in support of instrument development and data analysis. The effects of density fluctuations and layered roughness are examined using a partially coherent model; we also report the results of applying such models to analyze the UWBRAD Greenland data. The approach of combining active L- band observations from PALSAR with UWBRAD Tb spectra is also discussed.

Establishment of borehole observation system and high resolution seismic studies in the western part of the main Marmara Fault in the frame of MARSite Project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ozel, A.; Yalcinkaya, E.; Guralp, C. M.; Tunc, S.; Meral Ozel, N.

2013-12-01

The main objective of this study is to install a multi-parameter borehole system and surface array as close to the main Marmara Fault (MMF) in the western Marmara Sea as possible, and measure continuously the evolution of the state of the fault zone surrounding the MMF and to detect any anomaly or change which may occur before earthquakes by making use of the data from the arrays already running in the eastern part of the Marmara Sea. The multi-parameter borehole system will be composed of very wide dynamic range and stable borehole (VBB) broad band seismic sensor, and incorporate 3-D strain meter, tilt meter, and temperature and local hydrostatic pressure measuring devices. The borehole seismic station will use the latest update technologies and design ideas to record 'Earth tides' signals to the smallest magnitude -3 events. Bringing face to face the seismograms of microearthquakes recorded by borehole and surface instruments portrays quite different contents. The shorter recording duration and nearly flat frequency spectrum up to the Nyquist frequencies of borehole records are faced with longer recording duration and rapid decay of spectral amplitudes at higher frequencies of a surface seismogram. The main causative of the observed differences are near surface geology effects that mask most of the source related information the seismograms include, and that give rise to scattering, generating longer duration seismograms. In view of these circumstances, studies on microearthquakes employing surface seismograms may bring on misleading results. Particularly, the works on earthquake physics and nucleation process of earthquakes requires elaborate analysis of tiny events. It is obvious from the studies on the nucleation process of the 1999 earthquake that tens of minutes before the major rupture initiate noteworthy microearthquake activity happened. The starting point of the 1999 rupture was a site of swarm activity noticed a few decades prior the main shock. Nowadays, analogous case is probable in western Marmara Sea region, prone to a major event in near future where the seismic activity is prevailing along the impending rupture zone. Deploying a borehole system eastern end of the Ganos fault zone may yield invaluable data to closely inspect and monitor the last stages of the preparation stage of major rupture. Keywords: Borehole seismometer; Ganos fault; microearthquakes; western Marmara

SAR Polarimetric Scattering from Natural Terrains

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-02-17

Public Release 13. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES 14. ABSTRACT Radar polarimetry and speckles of random rough surface scattering is studied using 3-D numerical...Performance : 04/18/2013 - 04/17/2016 AOARD PM: Dr. Seng Hong Abstract : Radar polarimetry and speckles of random rough surface scattering is studied using 3...Doctoral Dissertation Title : Polarimetry In Radar Backscattering from Soil and Vegetated Surfaces Institution : University of Washington, Seattle

The elevation, slope, and curvature spectra of a wind roughened sea surface

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pierson, W. J., Jr.; Stacy, R. A.

1973-01-01

The elevation, slope and curvature spectra are defined as a function of wave number and depend on the friction velocity. There are five wave number ranges of definition called the gravity wave-gravity equilibrium range, the isotropic turbulence range, the connecting range due to Leykin Rosenberg, the capillary range, and the viscous cutoff range. The higher wave number ranges are strongly wind speed dependent, and there is no equilibrium (or saturated) capillary range, at least for winds up to 30 meters/sec. Some properties of the angular variation of the spectra are also found. For high wave numbers, especially in the capillary range, the results are shown to be consistent with the Rayleigh-Rice backscattering theory (Bragg scattering), and certain properties of the angular variation are deduced from backscatter measurements.

Earth Observation taken by the Expedition 29 crew

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-10-15

ISS029-E-031157 (15 Oct. 2011) --- One of the Expedition 29 crew members aboard the International Space Station recorded this oblique view showing the Mediterranean Sea area, including the Nile River and the river's delta, and the Sinai Peninsula, on Oct. 15, 2011. Cyprus is visible at left. At first look, the image appears to have been photographed in daylight, but actually it was taken at 01:01:08 GMT. Some areas of the photo like the river and river delta appear as the brightest areas because of either man-made lighting (mostly incandescent) or man-made lighting reflected off nearby surfaces. The other areas appear to be illuminated naturally by moonlight, starlight, or back-scattered light from the atmosphere. A 20-mm focal length was used to record the image.

Earth Observation taken by the Expedition 29 crew

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-10-15

ISS029-E-031143 (15 Oct. 2011) --- One of the Expedition 29 crew members aboard the International Space Station recorded this oblique view showing the Mediterranean Sea area, including parts of Turkey, the Nile River and the river's delta, and the Sinai Peninsula, on Oct. 15, 2011. At first look, the image appears to have been photographed in daylight, but actually it was taken at 01:01:26 GMT. Some areas of the photo like the river and river delta appear as the brightest areas because of either man-made lighting (mostly incandescent) or man-made lighting reflected off nearby surfaces. The other areas appear to be illuminated naturally by moonlight, starlight, or back-scattered light from the atmosphere. A 20-mm focal length was used to record the image.

Environmental effects on underwater optical transmission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chu, Peter C.; Breshears, Brian F.; Cullen, Alexander J.; Hammerer, Ross F.; Martinez, Ramon P.; Phung, Thai Q.; Margolina, Tetyana; Fan, Chenwu

2017-05-01

Optical communication/detection systems have potential to get around some limitations of current acoustic communications and detection systems especially increased fleet and port security in noisy littoral waters. Identification of environmental effects on underwater optical transmission is the key to the success of using optics for underwater communication and detection. This paper is to answer the question "What are the transfer and correlation functions that relate measurements of hydrographic to optical parameters?" Hydrographic and optical data have been collected from the Naval Oceanographic Office survey ships with the High Intake Defined Excitation (HIDEX) photometer and sea gliders with optical back scattering sensor in various Navy interested areas such as the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, east Asian marginal seas, and Adriatic Sea. The data include temperature, salinity, bioluminescence, chlorophyll-a fluorescence, transmissivity at two different wavelengths (TRed at 670 nm, TBlue at 490 nm), and back scattering coefficient (bRed at 700 nm, bBlue at 470 nm). Transfer and correlation functions between the hydrographic and optical parameters are obtained. Bioluminescence and fluorescence maxima, transmissivity minimum with their corresponding depths, red and blue laser beam peak attenuation coefficients are identified from the optical profiles. Evident correlations are found between the ocean mixed layer depth and the blue and red laser beam peak attenuation coefficients, bioluminescence and fluorescence maxima in the Adriatic Sea, Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, and Philippine Sea. Based on the observational data, an effective algorithm is recommended for solving the radiative transfer equation (RTE) for predicting underwater laser radiance.

A study of the dynamics of droughts in Northern Brazil: Observations, theory, and numerical experiments with a global atmospheric circulation model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shukla, J.; Moura, A. D.

1980-01-01

The monthly mean sea surface temperature anomalies over tropical Altantic and rainfall anomalies over two selected stations for 25 years (1948-1972) were examined. It is found that the most severe drought events are associated with the simultaneous occurrence of warm sea surface temperature anomalies over north and cold sea surface temperature anomalies over south tropical Atlantic. Simultaneous occurrences of warm sea surface temperature anomaly at 15 deg N, 45 deg W and cold sea surface temperature anomaly at 15 deg S, 5 deg W were always associated with negative anomalies of rainfall, and vice versa. A simple primitive equation model is used to calculate the frictionally controlled and thermally driven circulation due to a prescribed heating function in a resting atmosphere.

The GNSS Reflectometry Response to the Ocean Surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chang, Paul; Jelenak, Zorana; Soisuvarn, Seubson; Said, Faozi

2016-04-01

Global Navigation Satellite System - Reflectometry (GNSS-R) exploits signals of opportunity from the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). GNSS transmitters continuously transmit navigation signals at L-band toward the earth's surface. The scattered power reflected off the earth's surface can be sensed by specially designed GNSS-R receivers. The reflected signal can then be used to glean information about the surface of the earth, such as ocean surface roughness, snow depth, sea ice extent, and soil moisture. The use of GNSS-R for ocean wind retrievals was first demonstrated from aircraft. On July 8 2014, the TechDemoSat-1 satellite (TDS-1) was launched by Surrey Satellite Technology, Ltd as a technology risk reduction mission into sun-synchronous orbit. This paper investigates the GNSS-R measurements collected by the Space GNSS Receiver-Remote Sensing Instrument (SGR-ReSI) on board the TDS-1 satellite. The sensitivity of the SGR-ReSI measurements to the ocean surface winds and waves are characterized. The effects of sea surface temperature, wind direction, and rain are also investigated. The SGR-ReSI measurements exhibited sensitivity through the entire range of wind speeds sampled in this dataset, up to 35 m/s. A significant dependence on the larger waves was observed for winds < 6 m/s. Additionally, an interesting dependence on SST was observed where the slope of the SGR-ReSI measurements is positive for winds < 5 m/s and reverses for winds > 5 m/s. There appeared to be very little wind direction signal, and investigation of the rain impacts found no apparent sensitivity in the data. These results are shown through the analysis of global statistics and examination of a few case studies. This released SGR-ReSI dataset provided the first opportunity to comprehensively investigate the sensitivity of satellite-based GNSS-R measurements to various ocean surface parameters. The upcoming NASA's Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS) satellite constellation will utilize a similar receiver to SGI-ReSI and thus this data provides valuable pre-launch knowledge for the CYGNSS mission.

Seasonal signatures in SFG vibrational spectra of the sea surface nanolayer at Boknis Eck Time Series Station (SW Baltic Sea)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Laß, K.; Bange, H. W.; Friedrichs, G.

2013-02-01

The very thin sea surface nanolayer on top of the sea surface microlayer, sometimes just one monomolecular layer thick, forms the interface between ocean and atmosphere. Due to the small dimension and tiny amount of substance, knowledge about the development of the layer in the course of the year is scarce. In this work, the sea surface nanolayer at Boknis Eck Time Series Station (BE), southwestern Baltic Sea, has been investigated over a period of three and a half years. Surface water samples were taken monthly by screen sampling and were analyzed in terms of organic content and composition by sum frequency generation spectroscopy, which is specifically sensitive to interfacial layers. A yearly periodicity has been observed with a pronounced abundance of sea surface nanolayer material (such as carbohydrate-rich material) during the summer months. On the basis of our results we conclude that the abundance of organic material in the nanolayer at Boknis Eck is not directly related to phytoplankton abundance. We suggest that indeed sloppy feeding of zooplankton together with photochemical and/or microbial processing of organic precursor compounds are responsible for the pronounced seasonality.

Seasonal signatures in SFG vibrational spectra of the sea surface nanolayer at Boknis Eck Time Series Station (SW Baltic Sea)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Laß, K.; Bange, H. W.; Friedrichs, G.

2013-08-01

The very thin sea surface nanolayer on top of the sea surface microlayer, sometimes just one monomolecular layer thick, forms the interface between ocean and atmosphere. Due to the small dimension and tiny amount of substance, knowledge about the development of the layer in the course of the year is scarce. In this work, the sea surface nanolayer at Boknis Eck Time Series Station (BE), southwestern Baltic Sea, has been investigated over a period of three and a half years. Surface water samples were taken monthly by screen sampling and were analyzed in terms of organic content and composition by sum frequency generation spectroscopy, which is specifically sensitive to interfacial layers. A yearly periodicity has been observed with a pronounced abundance of sea surface nanolayer material (such as carbohydrate-rich material) during the summer months. On the basis of our results we conclude that the abundance of organic material in the nanolayer at Boknis Eck is not directly related to phytoplankton abundance alone. We speculate that indeed sloppy feeding of zooplankton together with photochemical and/or microbial processing of organic precursor compounds is responsible for the pronounced seasonality.

Microwave scattering and emission from a half-space anisotropic random medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mudaliar, Saba; Lee, Jay Kyoon

1990-12-01

This paper is a sequel to an earlier paper (Lee and Mudaliar, 1988) where the backscattering coefficients of a half-space anisotropic random medium were obtained. Here the bistatic scattering coefficients are calculated by solving the modified radiative transfer equations under a first-order approximation. The effects of multiple scattering on the results are observed. Emissivities are calculated and compared with those obtained using the Born approximation (single scattering). Several interesting properties of the model are brought to notice using numerical examples. Finally, as an application, the theory is used to interpret the passive remote sensing data of multiyear sea ice in the microwave frequency range. A quite close agreement between theoretical prediction and the measured data is found.

Predicting the Turbulent Air-Sea Surface Fluxes, Including Spray Effects, from Weak to Strong Winds

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-09-30

almost complete decoupling of the wind field from the sea surface . As a result of the weak surface stress, the flow becomes almost free from the...shore flow . In turn, wave growth and the associated surface roughness (z0) are limited. Consequently, the stability increases further in a...1 DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A. Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. Predicting the Turbulent Air-Sea Surface Fluxes

In situ surface roughness measurement using a laser scattering method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tay, C. J.; Wang, S. H.; Quan, C.; Shang, H. M.

2003-03-01

In this paper, the design and development of an optical probe for in situ measurement of surface roughness are discussed. Based on this light scattering principle, the probe which consists of a laser diode, measuring lens and a linear photodiode array, is designed to capture the scattered light from a test surface with a relatively large scattering angle ϕ (=28°). This capability increases the measuring range and enhances repeatability of the results. The coaxial arrangement that incorporates a dual-laser beam and a constant compressed air stream renders the proposed system insensitive to movement or vibration of the test surface as well as surface conditions. Tests were conducted on workpieces which were mounted on a turning machine that operates with different cutting speeds. Test specimens which underwent different machining processes and of different surface finish were also studied. The results obtained demonstrate the feasibility of surface roughness measurement using the proposed method.

An advanced molecule-surface scattering instrument for study of vibrational energy transfer in gas-solid collisions.

PubMed

Ran, Qin; Matsiev, Daniel; Wodtke, Alec M; Auerbach, Daniel J

2007-10-01

We describe an advanced and highly sensitive instrument for quantum state-resolved molecule-surface energy transfer studies under ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) conditions. The apparatus includes a beam source chamber, two differential pumping chambers, and a UHV chamber for surface preparation, surface characterization, and molecular beam scattering. Pulsed and collimated supersonic molecular beams are generated by expanding target molecule mixtures through a home-built pulsed nozzle, and excited quantum state-selected molecules were prepared via tunable, narrow-band laser overtone pumping. Detection systems have been designed to measure specific vibrational-rotational state, time-of-flight, angular and velocity distributions of molecular beams coming to and scattered off the surface. Facilities are provided to clean and characterize the surface under UHV conditions. Initial experiments on the scattering of HCl(v = 0) from Au(111) show many advantages of this new instrument for fundamental studies of the energy transfer at the gas-surface interface.

In situ measurement of inelastic light scattering in natural waters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Chuanmin

Variation in the shape of solar absorption (Fraunhofer) lines are used to study the inelastic scattering in natural waters. In addition, oxygen absorption lines near 689nm are used to study the solar stimulated chlorophyll fluorescence. The prototype Oceanic Fraunhofer Line Discriminator (OFLD) has been further developed and improved by using a well protected fiber optic - wire conductor cable and underwater electronic housing. A Monte-Carlo code and a simple code have been modified to simulate the Raman scattering, DOM fluorescence and chlorophyll fluorescence. A series of in situ measurements have been conducted in clear ocean waters in the Florida Straits, in the turbid waters of Florida Bay, and in the vicinity of a coral reef in the Dry Tortugas. By comparing the reduced data with the model simulation results, the Raman scattering coefficient, b r with an excitation wavelength at 488nm, has been verified to be 2.6 × 10-4m-1 (Marshall and Smith, 1990), as opposed to 14.4 × 10- 4m-1 (Slusher and Derr, 1975). The wavelength dependence of b r cannot be accurately determined from the data set as the reported values (λ m-4 to λ m- 5) have an insignificant effect in the natural underwater light field. Generally, in clear water, the percentage of inelastic scattered light in the total light field at /lambda < 510nm is negligible for the whole water column, and this percentage increases with depth at /lambda > 510nm. At low concentrations (a y(/lambda = 380nm) less than 0.1m-1), DOM fluorescence plays a small role in the inelastic light field. However, chlorophyll fluorescence is much stronger than Raman scattering at 685nm. In shallow waters where a sea bottom affects the ambient light field, inelastic light is negligible for the whole visible band. Since Raman scattering is now well characterized, the new OFLD can be used to measure the solar stimulated in situ fluorescence. As a result, the fluorescence signals of various bottom surfaces, from coral to macrophytes, have been measured and have been found to vary with time possibly due to nonphotochemical quenching and photoinhibition.

Polarized Light Scattering from Perfect and Perturbed Surfaces and Fundamental Scattering Systems

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-02-29

ob- one frequency, an extension of it to multiple-field interac- served in the elastically scattered light emitted from glass tions would follow the...that 8. V CeIll . A. A. Maradudin, A. M. Marvin, and A. R. McGurn, can explain only gross scattering features. It is inde "Some aspects of light...and a surface of index n a 10.0 - 0.01. Such a surface could be made with a series of 1/4-wave dielectric layers on a glass substrate. It Is more

The role of surface and subsurface processes in keeping pace with sea level rise in intertidal wetlands of Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lovelock, Catherine E.; Bennion, Vicki; Grinham, Alistair; Cahoon, Donald R.

2011-01-01

Increases in the elevation of the soil surfaces of mangroves and salt marshes are key to the maintenance of these habitats with accelerating sea level rise. Understanding the processes that give rise to increases in soil surface elevation provides science for management of landscapes for sustainable coastal wetlands. Here, we tested whether the soil surface elevation of mangroves and salt marshes in Moreton Bay is keeping up with local rates of sea level rise (2.358 mm y-1) and whether accretion on the soil surface was the most important process for keeping up with sea level rise. We found variability in surface elevation gains, with sandy areas in the eastern bay having the highest surface elevation gains in both mangrove and salt marsh (5.9 and 1.9 mm y-1) whereas in the muddier western bay rates of surface elevation gain were lower (1.4 and -0.3 mm y-1 in mangrove and salt marsh, respectively). Both sides of the bay had similar rates of surface accretion (~7–9 mm y-1 in the mangrove and 1–3 mm y-1 in the salt marsh), but mangrove soils in the western bay were subsiding at a rate of approximately 8 mm y-1, possibly due to compaction of organic sediments. Over the study surface elevation increments were sensitive to position in the intertidal zone (higher when lower in the intertidal) and also to variation in mean sea level (higher at high sea level). Although surface accretion was the most important process for keeping up with sea level rise in the eastern bay, subsidence largely negated gains made through surface accretion in the western bay indicating a high vulnerability to sea level rise in these forests.

Self-referenced directional enhanced Raman scattering using plasmon waveguide resonance for surface and bulk sensing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wan, Xiu-mei; Gao, Ran; Lu, Dan-feng; Qi, Zhi-mei

2018-01-01

Surface plasmon-coupled emission has been widely used in fluorescence imaging, biochemical sensing, and enhanced Raman spectroscopy. A self-referenced directional enhanced Raman scattering for simultaneous detection of surface and bulk effects by using plasmon waveguide resonance (PWR) based surface plasmon-coupled emission has been proposed and experimentally demonstrated. Raman scattering was captured on the prism side in Kretschmann-surface plasmon-coupled emission. The distinct penetration depths (δ) of the evanescent field for the transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) modes result in different detected distances of the Raman signal. The experimental results demonstrate that the self-referenced directional enhanced Raman scattering of the TE and TM modes based on the PWR can detect and distinguish the surface and bulk effects simultaneously, which appears to have potential applications in researches of chemistry, medicine, and biology.

The impact of land and sea surface variations on the Delaware sea breeze at local scales

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hughes, Christopher P.

The summertime climate of coastal Delaware is greatly influenced by the intensity, frequency, and location of the local sea breeze circulation. Sea breeze induced changes in temperature, humidity, wind speed, and precipitation influence many aspects of Delaware's economy by affecting tourism, farming, air pollution density, energy usage, and the strength, and persistence of Delaware's wind resource. The sea breeze front can develop offshore or along the coastline and often creates a near surface thermal gradient in excess of 5°C. The purpose of this dissertation is to investigate the dynamics of the Delaware sea breeze with a focus on the immediate coastline using observed and modeled components, both at high resolutions (~200m). The Weather Research and Forecasting model (version 3.5) was employed over southern Delaware with 5 domains (4 levels of nesting), with resolutions ranging from 18km to 222m, for June 2013 to investigate the sensitivity of the sea breeze to land and sea surface variations. The land surface was modified in the model to improve the resolution, which led to the addition of land surface along the coastline and accounted for recent urban development. Nine-day composites of satellite sea surface temperatures were ingested into the model and an in-house SST forcing dataset was developed to account for spatial SST variation within the inland bays. Simulations, which include the modified land surface, introduce a distinct secondary atmospheric circulation across the coastline of Rehoboth Bay when synoptic offshore wind flow is weak. Model runs using high spatial- and temporal-resolution satellite sea surface temperatures over the ocean indicate that the sea breeze landfall time is sensitive to the SST when the circulation develops offshore. During the summer of 2013 a field campaign was conducted in the coastal locations of Rehoboth Beach, DE and Cape Henlopen, DE. At each location, a series of eleven small, autonomous thermo-sensors (i-buttons) were placed along 1-km transects oriented perpendicular to the coastline where each sensor recorded temperatures at five-minute intervals. This novel approach allows for detailed characterization of the sea breeze front development over the immediate coastline not seen in previous studies. These observations provide evidence of significant variability in frontal propagation (advancing, stalling, and retrograding) within the first kilometer of the coast. Results from this observational study indicate that the land surface has the largest effect on the frontal location when the synoptic winds have a strong offshore component, which forces the sea breeze front to move slowly through the region. When this happens, the frequency of occurrence and sea breeze frontal speed decreases consistently across the first 500 m of Rehoboth Beach, after which, the differences become insignificant. At Cape Henlopen the decrease in intensity across the transect is much less evident and the reduction in frequency does not occur until after the front is 500 m from the coast. Under these conditions at Rehoboth Beach, the near surface air behind the front warms due to the land surface which, along with the large surface friction component of the urbanized land surface, causes the front to slow as it traverses the region. Observation and modeling results suggest that the influence of variations in the land and sea surface on the sea breeze circulation is complex and highly dependent on the regional synoptic wind regime. This result inspired the development of a sea breeze prediction algorithm using a generalized linear regression model which, incorporated real-time synoptic conditions to forecast the likelihood of a sea breeze front passing through a coastal station. The forecast skill increases through the morning hours after sunrise. The inland synoptic wind direction is the most influential variable utilized by the algorithm. Such a model could be enhanced to forecast local temperature with coonfidence, which could be useful in an economic or energy usage model.

Spectral scattering characteristics of space target in near-UV to visible bands.

PubMed

Bai, Lu; Wu, Zhensen; Cao, Yunhua; Huang, Xun

2014-04-07

In this study, the spectral scattering characteristics of a space target are calculated in the near-UV to visible bands on the basis of measured data of spectral hemispheric reflectivity in the upper half space. Further, the bidirectional reflection distribution function (BRDF) model proposed by Davies is modified to describe the light scattering properties of a target surface. This modification aims to improve the characteristics identifying ability for different space targets. By using this modified Davies spectrum BRDF model, the spectral scattering characteristics of each subsurface can be obtained. A mathematical model of spectral scattering properties of the space target is built by summing all the contributing surface grid reflection scattering components, considering the impact of surface shadow effect.Moreover, the spectral scattering characteristics of the space target calculated with both the traditional and modified Davies BRDF models are compared. The results show that in the fixed and modified cases, the hemispheric reflectivity significantly affects the spectral scattering irradiance of the target.

Advances in Statistical and Deterministic Modeling of Wind-Driven Seas

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-09-30

Zakharov. Scales of nonlinear relaxation and balance of wind- driven seas. Geophysical Research Abstracts Vol. 13, EGU2011-2042, 2011. EGU General ...Dyachenko A. “On canonical equation for water waves” at General Assembly 2011 of the European Geosciences Union in Vienna, Austria, 03 – 08 April...scattering and equilibrium ranges in wind- generated waves with application to spectrometry, J. Geoph. Res., 92, 49715029, 1987. [3] Hsiao S.V. and

Simulation of laser beam reflection at the sea surface modeling and validation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schwenger, Frédéric; Repasi, Endre

2013-06-01

A 3D simulation of the reflection of a Gaussian shaped laser beam on the dynamic sea surface is presented. The simulation is suitable for the pre-calculation of images for cameras operating in different spectral wavebands (visible, short wave infrared) for a bistatic configuration of laser source and receiver for different atmospheric conditions. In the visible waveband the calculated detected total power of reflected laser light from a 660nm laser source is compared with data collected in a field trial. Our computer simulation comprises the 3D simulation of a maritime scene (open sea/clear sky) and the simulation of laser beam reflected at the sea surface. The basic sea surface geometry is modeled by a composition of smooth wind driven gravity waves. To predict the view of a camera the sea surface radiance must be calculated for the specific waveband. Additionally, the radiances of laser light specularly reflected at the wind-roughened sea surface are modeled considering an analytical statistical sea surface BRDF (bidirectional reflectance distribution function). Validation of simulation results is prerequisite before applying the computer simulation to maritime laser applications. For validation purposes data (images and meteorological data) were selected from field measurements, using a 660nm cw-laser diode to produce laser beam reflection at the water surface and recording images by a TV camera. The validation is done by numerical comparison of measured total laser power extracted from recorded images with the corresponding simulation results. The results of the comparison are presented for different incident (zenith/azimuth) angles of the laser beam.

MMAB Operational Products

Science.gov Websites

Atlantic Real-Time Ocean Forecast System NOAA Wavewatch III® Ocean Wave Model Sea Ice Concentration Analysis Satellite Derived Ocean Surface Winds Daily Sea Surface Temperature Analysis Sea Ice Drift Model

A Backscattering Enhanced Microwave Canopy Scattering Model Based On MIMICS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shen, X.; Hong, Y.; Qin, Q.; Chen, S.; Grout, T.

2010-12-01

For modeling microwave scattering of vegetated areas, several microwave canopy scattering models, based on the vectorized radiative transfer equation (VRT) that use different solving techniques, have been proposed in the past three decades. As an iterative solution of VRT at low orders, the Michigan Microwave Canopy Scattering Model (MIMICS) gives an analytical expression for calculating scattering as long as the volume scattering is not too strong. The most important usage of such models is to predict scattering in the backscattering direction. Unfortunately, the simplified assumption of MIMICS is that the scattering between the ground and trunk layers only includes the specular reflection. As a result, MIMICS includes a dominant coherent term which vanishes in the backscattering direction because this term contains a delta function factor of zero in this direction. This assumption needs reconsideration for accurately calculating the backscattering. In the framework of MIMICS, any incoherent terms that involve surface scattering factors must at least undergo surface scattering twice and volume scattering once. Therefore, these incoherent terms are usually very weak. On the other hand, due to the phenomenon of backscattering enhancement, the surface scattering in the backscattering direction is very strong compared to most other directions. Considering the facts discussed above, it is reasonable to add a surface backscattering term to the last equation of the boundary conditions of MIMICS. More terms appear in the final result including a backscattering coherent term which enhances the backscattering. The modified model is compared with the original MIMICS (version 1.0) using JPL/AIRSAR data from NASA Campaign Soil Moisture Experimental 2003 (SMEX03) and Washita92. Significant improvement is observed.

Assessment of Polarimetric SAR Interferometry for Improving Ship Classification based on Simulated Data

PubMed Central

Margarit, Gerard; Mallorqui, Jordi J.

2008-01-01

This paper uses a complete and realistic SAR simulation processing chain, GRECOSAR, to study the potentialities of Polarimetric SAR Interferometry (POLInSAR) in the development of new classification methods for ships. Its high processing efficiency and scenario flexibility have allowed to develop exhaustive scattering studies. The results have revealed, first, vessels' geometries can be described by specific combinations of Permanent Polarimetric Scatterers (PePS) and, second, each type of vessel could be characterized by a particular spatial and polarimetric distribution of PePS. Such properties have been recently exploited to propose a new Vessel Classification Algorithm (VCA) working with POLInSAR data, which, according to several simulation tests, may provide promising performance in real scenarios. Along the paper, explanation of the main steps summarizing the whole research activity carried out with ships and GRECOSAR are provided as well as examples of the main results and VCA validation tests. Special attention will be devoted to the new improvements achieved, which are related to simulations processing a new and highly realistic sea surface model. The paper will show that, for POLInSAR data with fine resolution, VCA can help to classify ships with notable robustness under diverse and adverse observation conditions. PMID:27873954

Frequency shift of the Bragg and Non-Bragg backscattering from periodic water wave

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wen, Biyang; Li, Ke

2016-08-01

Doppler effect is used to measure the relative speed of a moving target with respect to the radar, and is also used to interpret the frequency shift of the backscattering from the ocean wave according to the water-wave phase velocity. The widely known relationship between the Doppler shift and the water-wave phase velocity was deduced from the scattering measurements data collected from actual sea surface, and has not been verified under man-made conditions. Here we show that this ob- served frequency shift of the scattering data from the Bragg and Non-Bragg water wave is not the Doppler shift corresponding to the water-wave phase velocity as commonly believed, but is the water-wave frequency and its integral multiple frequency. The power spectrum of the backscatter from the periodic water wave consists of serials discrete peaks, which is equally spaced by water wave frequency. Only when the water-wave length is the integer multiples of the Bragg wave, and the radar range resolution is infinite, does the frequency shift of the backscattering mathematically equal the Doppler shift according to the water-wave phase velocity.

Surface Plasmon-Coupled Directional Enhanced Raman Scattering by Means of the Reverse Kretschmann Configuration.

PubMed

Huo, Si-Xin; Liu, Qian; Cao, Shuo-Hui; Cai, Wei-Peng; Meng, Ling-Yan; Xie, Kai-Xin; Zhai, Yan-Yun; Zong, Cheng; Yang, Zhi-Lin; Ren, Bin; Li, Yao-Qun

2015-06-04

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a unique analytical technique that provides fingerprint spectra, yet facing the obstacle of low collection efficiency. In this study, we demonstrated a simple approach to measure surface plasmon-coupled directional enhanced Raman scattering by means of the reverse Kretschmann configuration (RK-SPCR). Highly directional and p-polarized Raman scattering of 4-aminothiophenol (4-ATP) was observed on a nanoparticle-on-film substrate at 46° through the prism coupler with a sharp angle distribution (full width at half-maximum of ∼3.3°). Because of the improved collection efficiency, the Raman scattering signal was enhanced 30-fold over the conventional SERS mode; this was consistent with finite-difference time-domain simulations. The effect of nanoparticles on the coupling efficiency of propagated surface plasmons was investigated. Possessing straightforward implementation and directional enhancement of Raman scattering, RK-SPCR is anticipated to simplify SERS instruments and to be broadly applicable to biochemical assays.

Cloud Effects in Hyperspectral Imagery from First-Principles Scene Simulations

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-01-01

SPIE. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic or multiple reproduction, or distribution to multiple locations...scattering and absorption, scattering events, surface scattering with material-dependent bidirectional reflectances, multiple surface adjacency...aerosols or clouds, they may be absorbed, or they may reflect off the ground or an object. A given photon may undergo multiple scattering events

Southern Ocean Climate and Sea Ice Anomalies Associated with the Southern Oscillation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kwok, R.; Comiso, J. C.

2001-01-01

The anomalies in the climate and sea ice cover of the Southern Ocean and their relationships with the Southern Oscillation (SO) are investigated using a 17-year of data set from 1982 through 1998. We correlate the polar climate anomalies with the Southern Oscillation index (SOI) and examine the composites of these anomalies under the positive (SOI > 0), neutral (0 > SOI > -1), and negative (SOI < -1) phases of SOL The climate data set consists of sea-level pressure, wind, surface air temperature, and sea surface temperature fields, while the sea ice data set describes its extent, concentration, motion, and surface temperature. The analysis depicts, for the first time, the spatial variability in the relationship of the above variables and the SOL The strongest correlation between the SOI and the polar climate anomalies are found in the Bellingshausen, Amundsen and Ross sea sectors. The composite fields reveal anomalies that are organized in distinct large-scale spatial patterns with opposing polarities at the two extremes of SOI, and suggest oscillating climate anomalies that are closely linked to the SO. Within these sectors, positive (negative) phases of the SOI are generally associated with lower (higher) sea-level pressure, cooler (warmer) surface air temperature, and cooler (warmer) sea surface temperature in these sectors. Associations between these climate anomalies and the behavior of the Antarctic sea ice cover are clearly evident. Recent anomalies in the sea ice cover that are apparently associated with the SOI include: the record decrease in the sea ice extent in the Bellingshausen Sea from mid- 1988 through early 199 1; the relationship between Ross Sea SST and ENSO signal, and reduced sea ice concentration in the Ross Sea; and, the shortening of the ice season in the eastern Ross Sea, Amundsen Sea, far western Weddell Sea, and the lengthening of the ice season in the western Ross Sea, Bellingshausen Sea and central Weddell Sea gyre over the period 1988-1994. Four ENSO episodes over the last 17 years contributed to a negative mean in the SOI (-0.5). In each of these episodes, significant retreats in the Bellingshausen/Amundsen Sea were observed providing direct confirmation of the impact of SO on the Antarctic sea ice cover.

Surface roughness scattering of electrons in bulk mosfets

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zuverink, Amanda Renee

2015-11-01

Surface-roughness scattering of electrons at the Si-SiO 2 interface is a very important consideration when analyzing Si metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs). Scattering reduces the mobility of the electrons and degrades the device performance. 250-nm and 50-nm bulk MOSFETs were simulated with varying device parameters and mesh sizes in order to compare the effects of surface-roughness scattering in multiple devices. The simulation framework includes the ensemble Monte Carlo method used to solve the Boltzmann transport equation coupled with a successive over-relaxation method used to solve the two-dimensional Poisson's equation. Four methods for simulating the surface-roughness scattering of electrons were implemented onmore » both devices and compared: the constant specularity parameter, the momentum-dependent specularity parameter, and the real-space-roughness method with both uniform and varying electric fields. The specularity parameter is the probability of an electron scattering speculariy from a rough surface. It can be chosen as a constant, characterizing partially diffuse scattering of all electrons from the surface the same way, or it can be momentum dependent, where the size of rms roughness and the normal component of the electron wave number determine the probability of electron-momentum randomization. The real-space rough surface method uses the rms roughness height and correlation length of an actual MOSFET to simulate a rough interface. Due to their charge, electrons scatter from the electric field and not directly from the surface. If the electric field is kept uniform, the electrons do not perceive the roughness and scatter as if from a at surface. However, if the field is allowed to vary, the electrons scatter from the varying electric field as they would in a MOSFET. These methods were implemented for both the 50-nm and 250-nm MOSFETs, and using the rms roughness heights and correlation lengths for real devices. The current-voltage and mobility-electric field curves were plotted for each method on the two devices and compared. The conclusion is that the specularity-parameter methods are valuable as simple models for relatively smooth interfaces. However, they have limitations, as they cannot accurately describe the drastic reduction in the current and the electron mobility that occur in MOSFETs with very rough Si-SiO 2 interfaces.« less

The impact of sea surface currents in wave power potential modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zodiatis, George; Galanis, George; Kallos, George; Nikolaidis, Andreas; Kalogeri, Christina; Liakatas, Aristotelis; Stylianou, Stavros

2015-11-01

The impact of sea surface currents to the estimation and modeling of wave energy potential over an area of increased economic interest, the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, is investigated in this work. High-resolution atmospheric, wave, and circulation models, the latter downscaled from the regional Mediterranean Forecasting System (MFS) of the Copernicus marine service (former MyOcean regional MFS system), are utilized towards this goal. The modeled data are analyzed by means of a variety of statistical tools measuring the potential changes not only in the main wave characteristics, but also in the general distribution of the wave energy and the wave parameters that mainly affect it, when using sea surface currents as a forcing to the wave models. The obtained results prove that the impact of the sea surface currents is quite significant in wave energy-related modeling, as well as temporally and spatially dependent. These facts are revealing the necessity of the utilization of the sea surface currents characteristics in renewable energy studies in conjunction with their meteo-ocean forecasting counterparts.

Sea Surface Salinity : Research Challenges and Opportunities

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Halpern, David; Lagerloef, Gary; Font, Jordi

2012-01-01

Sea surface salinity (SSS) can be important in regulating sea surface temperature (SST). Two technological breakthrough satellite SSS missions, Aquarius and Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS), are currently producing high-quality SSS data. This paper provides an overview of the importance of SSS for weather and climate applications and describes the Aquarius and SMOS missions. The newness of adequately sampled SSS data prompted a first-time at-sea field campaign devoted to improved understanding of SSS variations.

Discriminating Sea Spikes in Incoherent Radar Measurements of Sea Clutter

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-03-01

het detecteren echter niet te verwachten dat bet gebruik van sea spikes te onderzoeken. Een van deze modellen zal leiden tot een Auteur (s) dergelijk...report I TNO-DV 2008 A067 6/33 Abbreviations CFAR Constant False-Alarm Rate CST Composite Surface Theory FFT Fast Fourier Transform PDF Probability Density...described by the composite surface theory (CST). This theory describes the sea surface as small Bragg-resonant capillary waves riding on top of

Using ship-borne GNSS data for geoid model validation at the Baltic Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nordman, Maaria; Kuokkanen, Jaakko; Bilker-Koivula, Mirjam; Koivula, Hannu; Häkli, Pasi; Lahtinen, Sonja

2017-04-01

We present a study of geoid model validation using ship-borne GNSS data on the Bothnian Bay of the Baltic Sea. In autumn 2015 a dedicated gravity survey took place in the Bothnian Bay on board of the surveying vessel Airisto as a part of the FAMOS (Finalising surveys for the Baltic motorways of the sea) Freja project, which is supported by the European Commission with the Connecting Europe Facility. The gravity data was collected to test older existing gravity data in the area and to contribute to a new improved geoid model for the Baltic Sea. The raw GNSS and IMU data of the vessel were recorded in order to study the possibilities for validating geoid models at sea. In order to derive geoid heights from GNSS-measurements at sea, the GNSS measurements must first be reduced to sea level. The instant sea level, also called sea surface height, must then be modelled and removed in order to get the GNSS positions at the zero height. In theory, the resulting GNSS heights are the geoid heights, giving the distance between the ellipsoid and the geoid surface. There were altogether 46 lines measured during the campaign on the area. The 1 Hz GNSS-IMU observations were post-processed using the Applanix POSPac MMS 7.1 software. Different processing options were tested and the Single Base -solution was found to be the best strategy. There were some issues with the quality of the data and cycle slips and thus, 37 of the lines were of adequate quality for the geoid validation. The final coordinates were transferred to the coordinate systems related to the geoid models used. Translation of the processed heights to sea level was performed taking the pitch and roll effects of the vessel into account. Also the effects of static and dynamic draft (squat) were applied. For the reduction from sea surface to geoid surface, the sea surface heights were derived from tide gauge data and also from a physical model for the Baltic Sea. The residual errors between the GNSS-derived geoid heights and geoid heights from geoid models were as low as 2 mm on some lines. When the overall mean is taken from the mean of all lines, the lowest value of 2.1 cm, was achieved using a physical model for the sea surface and comparing with the NKG2015 geoid model. The NKG2015 model together with the tide gauge sea surface yield 3.1 cm. Comparing with Finnish geoid model gave 3.7 and 4.7 cm for the physical model and tide gauge surfaces, respectively. The mean standard deviations were below 5 cm, when the data was filtered with a 10 min. moving average. Thus, it can be said that with high quality GNSS solution and enough information on the coordinate systems, vessel movements and the sea surface heights, geoid heights can be recovered from GNSS observations at sea.