Lagrangian Structures in Very High-Frequency
Radar Data and Optimal Pollution Timing
Lekien, F., C. Coulliette, and J. E. Marsden
Abstract:
Very High-frequency (VHF) radar technology produces detailed surface
velocity maps near the surface of coastal waters. The use of measured
velocity data in environmental prediction, however, has remained
unexplored. In this paper, we uncover a striking flow structure in
coastal radar observations along the coast of Florida. This structure
governs the spread of organic contaminants or passive drifters released
in the area. We compute the Lyapunov exponents of the VHF radar data to
determine optimal release windows in which contaminants are advected
efficiently away from the coast and we show that a VHF radar-based
pollution release scheme using the hidden flow structure reduces the
effect of industrial pollution in the coastal environment.