Numerical simulation of radar backscattering from oil spills on sea surfaces

In this paper, a numerical simulation of radar backscattering from oil spills on sea surfaces was performed using the integral equations for a layered medium, the method of moments and Monte Carlo method. The reduction of the radar backscattering coefficient by an oil spill on the sea surface is examined quantitatively for various depths of oil spill and roughness parameters of the sea surface. It was found that the reduction increases as the depth of the oil spill increases. The reduction is higher at VV-polarization than HH-polarization for larger incidence angles and the angular trend of the reduction is quite flat at VV-polarization, and it is reducing at HH-polarization. It was also found that the reduction decreases as the rms height increases (i.e., the surface becomes rougher).