Multi-Sensor Observations of Meso-Scale Features in European Coastal Waters

Results of long-term multi-sensor observations of coastal zones in the Baltic and Black Seas are discussed. The study is based on remote sensing data acquired over these regions by the ERS-2 SAR, Envisat ASAR, Terra and Aqua MODIS and NOAA AVHRR. The data were analysed to investigate coastal water circulations, in particular the occurrence, evolution and drift of small- and meso-scale vortex structures, because their understanding is crucial for the knowledge of the mechanisms that determine mixing and circulation processes in the coastal zone. To a large extent, these mechanisms determine the coastal zone’s ecological, hydrodynamic and meteorological state, whose constant monitoring is vital for these densely populated regions with their well-developed industry and agriculture and a rapidly growing tourist sector. SST fields derived from AVHRR data were used to observe meso-scale water dynamics. Using MODIS SST and ocean colour data we were able to highlight various meso- and small-scale water dynamics features, such as currents, eddies, dipoles, jets, filaments, and river plumes. Surfactants of natural and artificial origin are often encountered in coastal waters, and their signatures on SAR images help the detection of small- and meso-scale surface currents and vortex structures.