Estimation of coastal bathymetry from wave parameters retrieved with Synthetic Aperture Radar Data

Small-scale topographic features can change relatively fast due to storms. These rapid changes are not easily measured by traditional methodologies and, therefore, methods that rely on Earth Observation are valuable for the monitoring of the coastal bathymetry.
In this study, coastal bathymetry is derived with a wave-tracking algorithm using wave parameters retrieved from Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data. The algorithm tracks down the shoaling waves from the intermediate waters until the wave breaking zone and, through the linear wave dispersion relationship, estimates the water depth using the wavelength and direction. The output of the algorithm is a 2D bathymetry field that results from the interpolation of the estimated depth at each tracking point.
Two case studies at different locations off the Portuguese Coast will be presented. The operational capabilities of the algorithm and the synergy between SAR and Optical data to retrieve high-resolution bathymetry in shallower waters will be discussed.