Model-based analysis of X-band scattering from oil-covered sea surface using SAR imagery

In this paper, the normalized radar cross section of sea surfaces as well as the damping ratio of surfactants of known origin are predicted using the Advanced Integral Equation Model (AIEM), which is augmented using the Model of Local Balance. Theoretical predictions are contrasted with actual measurements acquired-over the same oil-covered area and under the same met-ocean conditions-by the X-band TerraSAR-X (TSX) and Cosmo-SkyMed (CSK) Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) missions. Experimental results show that the AIEM provides a fairly good agreement with both TSX and CSK actual measurements for both oil-free and oil-covered sea surfaces.