Polarimetric and interferometric features of oyster farming structures in coastal area

Oyster farms are well detected by SAR. Characteristics of polarimetric features of the oyster farming structures are presented in this paper. The results of AIRSAR L-band POLSAR data and experiments in laboratory are discussed. HH- and VV-polarized signals showed strongly returns from the target area in the AIRSAR image. The ratio of single bounce to double bounce scattering depends of vertical pole height, direction of horizontal pole to azimuth pass, and incidence angle as well as sea surface conditions. Radar returns from vertical poles are stronger than those from horizontal poles by 10.5 dB. Single bounce components are as strong as double bounce components and more sensitive to antenna look direction. Double bounce shows linear relation with height of vertical poles, which implies double bounced components are more useful to determine water level than total power. L-band HH-polarization generally produces strong radar returns among the three polarizations. Double bounce is main scattering mechanism in oyster farms standing above seawater, while single bounce is stronger than double bounce when bottom surface is exposed to air.