Range and geophysical corrections in coastal regions: And implications for mean sea surface determination

Abstract

Satellite altimetry works conceptually by the satellite transmitting a short pulse of microwave radiation with known power towards the sea surface, where it interacts with the sea surface and part of the signal is returned to the altimeter where the travel time is measured accurately. The determination of sea surface height from the altimeter range measurement involves a number of corrections: those expressing the behavior of the radar pulse through the atmosphere, and those correcting for sea state and other geophysical signals. A number of these corrections need special attention close to the coast and in shallow water regions. © 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.