Sea-surface temperature and sea-surface wind-speed retrievals from spaceborne radiometer measurements

This dissertation presents the development of a prelaunch sea-surface temperature (SST) retrieval algorithm for the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer (AMSR), and validation of the GSW and GSWP wind-speed algorithms for the Special Sensor Microwave Imager/Sounder (SSMIS). Prelaunch SST retrieval algorithm work includes the selection of buoys, the simulation of the AMSR measured brightness temperatures, the D-Matrix approach to the prelaunch SST algorithm, and the validation of D-matrix approach with SSM/I, TMI, AVHRR measurements. The validation of the wind speed algorithms (GSW and GSWP) for SSMIS includes building matchup sets and residual analysis. In addition, a nonlinear wind-speed algorithm based on Artificial Neural Network (ANN) improves wind-speed retrieval at normal wind speeds, as well as in high winds. The effect of wind direction on the wind-speed retrieval is also studied