Determination of Bathymetric and Current Maps by the Method DiSC Based on the Analysis of Nautical X-Band Radar Image Sequences of the Sea Surface (November 2007)

Morphodynamic processes in coastal areas are affected by tidal currents and sea state. The continuous observation of near coastal areas is important in order to monitor dangerous current-regime and bathymetry changes. Therefore, there is an urgent need for remote sensing techniques delivering the important hydrographic parameters with a high spatial resolution. Dispersive surface classificator (DiSC) is a newly developed method based on the analysis of nautical X-band radar image sequences of sea surface waves to determine spatial maps of hydrographic parameters, e.g., spatial maps of the bathymetry and the ocean current field. The method DiSC is described and is illustrated by the presentation of results based on a dataset acquired with a ground-based X-band radar installation mounted on the Island of Sylt in the German Bight. The calculated bathymetric maps are verified by multibeam echo sounder observations.