Multitemporal Backscattering Logistic Analysis for Intertidal Bathymetry

A new methodology for the mapping of intertidal terrain morphology is presented. It is based on the use of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images and the temporal correlation between the SAR backscatter intensity and the water level on the intertidal zone. The proposed methodology does not require manual editing, providing a set of geolocated pixels that can be used to generate a digital elevation model of the intertidal zone. The methodology is validated using TerraSAR-X SAR images acquired over Tagus estuary. This methodology can be useful for the regular updating of intertidal bathymetric models useful for both flood hazard mitigation and morphodynamics modeling.