Optical contrast inversion at slick–ripple interfaces

Abstract

The inversion of the optical contrasts between the ripple and slick areas on the sea surface produced by natural processes is analyzed. It is shown that, depending on the solar zenith angle and the angle at which a spacecraft-mounted optical scanner observes the slick–ripple interface, the intensity of light reflected from the slick area may be either greater or less than the intensity of light reflected from the ripple area. The sea surface slopes are assessed, at which the inversion of the slick–ripple optical contrast occurs.