Quasi-Vertical Radar Sensing of Finitely Thick Surfactant Films on the Sea Surface

Abstract

The possibilities to detect and diagnose sea surface oil pollution using a two-frequency radar method of quasi-vertical sensing at the X-band range are studied. Theoretical relations of sea roughness radar contrast at the 3 and 5.66 cm wavelengths under the finitely thick oil film are obtained vs. the sea surface wind speed and the incidence angle. Promising features of the technique for diagnosing freshly spilt oil are shown. The film parameters of different oil types are evaluated from the experimental radar contrasts.