Applicability of ocean wave measurements based on high-frequency radar systems in an estuary region

Abstract

The applicability of high-frequency (HF) radar systems for wave measurement in an estuary was explored by extracting the significant wave height (Hsr) using a traditional Barrick equation from the Doppler spectra observed by three radar systems installed in Ise Bay, Japan. The minimum value of Hsr estimated around each grid point was relatively consistent with the wave height observed with a wave gauge/buoy, except for a deterioration of wave measurement accuracy caused by a decrease in seawater conductivity from the freshwater inflow after flooding. Furthermore, the relationship between the accuracy and the signal-to-noise ratios for the first- and second-order peaks (SNR1 and SNR2, respectively) highlighted the difficulty in determining the threshold values of SNRs in the bay. Thus, we suggest the use of Hsr as a criterion for quality control when applying a nonlinear inversion method for estimating ocean wave spectra based on the Bayesian possibility theorem (BIM). Our suggestion is to select the appropriate Doppler spectra and increase the acquisition rates of wave data with low relative error compared to BIMs using SNR1 and SNR2. These results can promote the applicability of the nonlinear inversion in estuary regions.