Li, Z, Muller, JP, Cross, P, Albert, P, Fischer, J, Bennartz, R (2006). Assessment of the potential of MERIS near-infrared water vapour products to correct ASAR interferometric measurements. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF REMOTE SENSING, 27(2), 349-365.

Abstract
Atmospheric water vapour is a major limitation for high precision Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) applications due to its significant impact on microwave signals. We propose a statistical criterion to test whether an independent water vapour product can reduce water vapour effects on InSAR interferograms, and assess the potential of the Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) near-infrared water vapour products for correcting Advanced SAR ( ASAR) data. Spatio-temporal comparisons show c. 1.1mm agreement between MERIS and GPS/ radiosonde water vapour products in terms of standard deviations. One major limitation with the use of MERIS water vapour products is the frequency of cloud free conditions. Our analysis indicates that in spite of the low global cloud free conditions (similar to 25%), the frequency can be much higher for certain areas such as Eastern Tibet (similar to 38%) and Southern California (similar to 48%). This suggests that MERIS water vapour products show potential for correcting ASAR interferometric measurements in certain regions.

DOI:
10.1080/01431160500307342

ISSN:
0143-1161