Monitoring of the tidal dynamics of the Dutch Waddensea by SIR-B

The potential of LANDSAT data, covering the entire tidal flats at a certain, known, tidal situation, was assessed. It was discovered that the data cannot be used for systematic survey because of the long interval between subsequent passes, weather conditions often interfere with recording, and of the lack of correlation between passes and the tidal situation. The objective is to overcome the problems by using: (1) the synoptic view obtained by SIR-B, which has the potential of surveying large areas of the flats simultaneously; (2) the all-weather capability of the microwave system; (3) the recording during consecutive days, which results in a straightforeward correlation with the tidal cycle and the picturing of different tidal stages; and (4) the multiangle incidence of SIR-B to analyze the bottom configuration of submerged parts of the flats. The use of a weather independent monitoring device, such as radar, an improvement in the monitoring technique of tidal coastal areas.