Fine-scale features on the sea surface in SAR satellite imagery part II: Numerical modeling

We combine a three dimensional non hydrostatic computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model with a radar imaging algorithm to study the sea surface signatures in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) of fine scale oceanic features. A numerical model of centerline wakes of ships was developed to investigate the impact of wind stress on the wake hydrodynamics. We also simulate the dynamics of low density plumes and their interaction with ambient near-surface stratification, as well as an internal wave soliton. The surface velocity fields from the hydrodynamic model are used as input to a radar imaging algorithm to simulate sea surface. signatures in SAR. We also explore the use of CFD to study the magnetic signatures of oceanic fine scale processes as additional maritime sensing method.