AI in Satellite Remote Sensing of the Ocean

Abstract

Satellite remote sensing plays a fundamental role in observing oceanic processes by providing large-scale, long-term, and continuous measurements. With the increasing availability of multisource satellite data, challenges such as data gaps, complex environmental conditions, and the limitations of conventional retrieval methods have become more evident. In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a practical and effective approach to address these issues. This article reviews the development of AI techniques in satellite ocean remote sensing, focusing on three main application areas: parameter retrieval, data reconstruction, and image-based ocean phenomenon detection. For geophysical variable retrieval, AI models such as convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and Transformer architectures have improved the accuracy of ocean waves, sea surface, salinity, wind, and ocean color estimates, especially under extreme or noisy conditions. In the field of data reconstruction, AI methods enable the completion of missing data in both surface and subsurface ocean layers, offering finer spatial–temporal resolution and better consistency than traditional interpolation approaches. For image interpretation, deep learning (DL) models have been applied to detect and segment dynamic ocean features such as mesoscale eddies, internal waves, sea ice, and tropical cyclones (TCs), achieving high efficiency and precision. This article also highlights the integration of AI with physical knowledge, the use of multisource fusion, and the trend toward near real-time (NRT) applications. These developments indicate that AI will play an increasingly important role in future satellite-based ocean observation and environmental monitoring.