| General info | |
| Project title | Organization and implementation of field measurements concurrent to satellite SAR imagery (lee waves and vortices, 2002) |
| Project acronym | SubSatExpBS2002 |
| Project reference | RFBR 02-05-79093 |
| Begin date | 2002-07-01 |
| End date | 2002-08-31 |
| Location | |
| Geographic coverage | area of the Novorossisk and Gelendzhik, northeeastern part of the Black Sea |
| Description | |
| Abstract | In compliance with the science plan under RFBR grant 01-05-64464-a, in July-August 2002 experimental studies were conducted on the site of the South Division of the Institute of Oceanology RAS near Gelendjik. For the period of the expedition ERS-2 SAR images of the studied area were ordered and obtained.
During the expedition, measurements of the main hydrometeorological and oceanographic parameters were conducted concurrently with ERS-2 SAR imaging. These data are necessary for adequate interpretation of satellite radar images aimed at the retrieval of geophysical information related to experimental investigation of spatial and temporal structure and dynamics of waves, vortices and vortex streets emerging in the atmosphere due to air flows around coastal mountains and leaving their imprints on the sea surface.
Systematic data were gathered concerning the impact of boundary atmospheric layer stratification on the formation of lee structures in the atmosphere downwind from the coastal ridge.
Optical imaging of the sea surface near the narrow canyons opening to the sea was performed from the coast at different heights and under strengthening wind. This enabled us to observe the stages of lee structures formation and infer the dependencies of their growth rate and spatial characteristics on wind speed and direction, medium stratification and surface wave strength.
Vortex structures visible from the coast because of numerous slicks on the surface were investigated. They were compared with their signatures in satellite radar images. Such vortices range in size from hundreds meters to several kilometers.
Considerable oil pollution of the coast was registered in the end of July. ERS-2 SAR images of July 31 bear signatures typical for oil spills. Therefore, we can with high degree of reliability attribute similar spots seen in other radar images of the same region to oil spills as well. This opens the way to ecological monitoring of the coastal zone from space.
The term of the expedition happened to embrace the whole period of the well-known extraordinary weather conditions in the Black Sea coastal zone in August 2002. From the beginning of the month the area was struck by heavy rains and thunderstorms accompanied by multiple tornadoes over the sea, river floods and inundations. Near the site of the expedition dramatic overflow of river Ashamba was registered as well. The water of the river accumulated in great quantities mud flows and so acquired a sharp color contrast with the sea water. This enabled us to observe and register in optical images the interaction of Ashamba waters with sea waves and investigate water circulation in the bay. |
| Coordinator | |
| Coordinating organisation | Space Research Institute of RAS
|
| Country of Coordinator | Russian Federation |
| Contact name | Dr. Olga Lavrova |
| Title | Head of Laboratory |
| Contact organisation | Space Research Institute of RAS
|
| Phone | +7(495) 333-43-52 |
| Fax | +7(495) 333-10-56 |
| Email | olavrova@iki.rssi.ru |
| Edmerp metadata | |
| Edmerp id | 10237 |
| Collating centre | All-Russia Research Institute of Hydrometeorological Information, World Data Centre, National Oceanographic Data Centre (NODC)
|
| Latest update | 2009-04-21 |
