Observation of eddy structures in the Baltic Sea with the use of radiolocation and radiometric satellite data

The manifestations of mesoscale and submesoscale eddy elements in surface currents of the Baltic Sea in satellite images differing in physical nature and spatial resolution are considered. The investigation is based on the Envisat ASAR and ERS-2 SAR high-resolution radiolocation images (RLIs) obtained in 2008–2009 for different sites of the Baltic Sea water area and the use of the Envisat MERIS and Landsat ETM+ radiometric images of the visible spectrum. Possible mechanisms of the appearance of eddy structures in RLIs of the Baltic Sea water area are considered. Joint analysis of the mentioned data revealed specific features of the appearance of eddy structures in satellite images, taking into account the variability of optical characteristics of Baltic Sea surface waters during the summer blooming of cyanobacteria and the spring blooming of diatomic algae.