Ocean sand ridge signatures in the Bohai Sea observed by satellite ocean color and synthetic aperture radar measurements

Satellite measurements from Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) onboard the Aqua platform are used to study the ocean sand ridges in the eastern Bohai Sea in China. Even though the imaging mechanisms for SAR and MODIS-Aqua remote sensing are different, the sand ridges are shown to have exactly the same patterns in images from both sensors. Therefore, the location, extension and coverage of the ocean sand ridges can be detected and cross-examined by both SAR and MODIS-Aqua observations. Satellite images show quite different sand ridge distribution pattern from the published bathymetry map (based on in situ data) that shows six sand ridges in the area. 10 finger-shaped sand ridges are identified from satellite observations. The tidal-current/sand-ridge interaction driven physical and optical changes are assessed and evaluated. The existence of sand ridges causes enhanced water diffuse attenuation coefficient Kd(490) and elevated normalized water-leaving radiance at the red and near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths. The sea surface over the sand ridges experiences significant seasonal variability of water turbidity and shows remarkable differences from nearby ocean regions. During winter, Kd(490) values are about 2–3 m− 1 over the ridges, while the maximum Kd(490) in the neighboring oceans is approximately 1.5 m− 1. In summer, the enhancement of the sea surface turbidity is less significant than that which occurs in winter.

Research highlights
► Remote sensing of ocean sand ridges using SAR and ocean color measurements.
► Improved ocean sand-ridge identification in the Bohai Sea using satellite data.
► Improved satellite-derived products over sand ridge region using the SWIR algorithm.
► Quantitative study of water properties over the sand ridge region in the Bohai Sea.