Sea surface salinity retrieval demonstration using datasets of synthetic aperture radiometer HUT-2D

Interferometric aperture synthesis is a new technology proposed for space-borne remote sensing of sea surface salinity. In the lack of availability of a complete instrument of this kind, validation of the technology for salinity retrieval purposes is desired. In this paper we describe an intense measurement campaign carried out with a complete interferometric aperture synthesis radiometer system HUT-2D. The campaign aimed for the detection of a changing salinity level in the Baltic Sea. We have a special emphasis on the assessment of the impact of sea state on the radiometric measurements, which is considered one of the major obstacles for sea surface salinity retrieval at L-band. For this purpose we study sea roughness information collected with Global Navigation Satellite System Reflectometer.