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Tracking of fresh-water plumes in Dutch coastal waters by means of HF radar
K.-W. GURGEL, H.-H. ESSEN and T. SCHLICK
IGARSS'99 Conference, Proceedings Vol V, pp. 2548...2550, 1999.
Abstract - -
Progress in electronics and computer techniques allowed the design of a
new high-frequency (HF) radar system at the University of Hamburg (Germany).
WERA (Wellen Radar) is a frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) radar
which, when linked to a linear array of receice antennas, simultanously
measures surface currents and ocean waves. Operating at 27 MHz, the highest
spatial resolution is 0.3 km. The area covered in this mode is about
40 km * 40 km.
Results from an experiment at the Dutch coast in fall 1996 are presented.
Occasionally, a high-velocity jet has been observed which travels
northwards along the coast. At the edge of the jet, some 15 km to 30 km
off the coast, the high-resolution mode of WERA revealed current shears
of up to 0.002 s-1.
It is assumed that the jet carries fresh water plumes
which originate from the Rhine and Ijssel outflow into the North Sea.
In addition to the surface currents, the spatial distribution of backscatter
strength is investigated. Some evidence is found that, during phases of low
wind, fresh water plumes become visible as areas of reduced backscatter.
This finding is in accordance with the dependence of HF ground-wave
attenuation on sea-water conductivity.
klaus-werner.gurgel@uni-hamburg.de
last update: Wednesday, 25-Nov-2015 15:30:56 CET
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