Method | Sensor | Type | Accuracy | Controlling Factors | Advantages | Drawbacks | Scope of Application |
Imaging | Microwave or SAR sensor | Active | Relatively low | Image resolution, slicks, waves, fronts, weather condition | - Applicable over large areas - Unaffected by cloud cover | - Relative low accuracy | Bathymetry derivation from open oceanic waters |
Non- imaging | Radar Altimetry | Active | Very low accuracy | Elastic thickness of the lithosphere and/or crustal thickness, sediments | Global coverage, needs only simple altimetry with no iono/tropo-sphere measurement | Possible over a limited wavelength band | Coarse bathymetry derivation for oceans |
Non- imaging | LIDAR | Active | ≈15 cm | Water clarity or turbidity, bed material, surface state | Wide depth range; concurrent measurement not essential | - Expensive - Limited swath width | Varied aquatic environments of narrow range |
Imaging | Optical (analytical) | Passive | Relatively high | Water quality (clarity or turbidity), cloud cover, atmospheric conditions | - Based on physical process - Relatively higher accuracy | - Complex execution as input parameters are required - Real-time in-situ data essential | Turbid and shallow inland waters, estuaries, river channels |
Imaging | Optical (empirical) | Passive | Varying accuracy | Atmospheric calibration, water turbidity, bottom reflectance | - Simple to execute - Accurate at definite depth | - Limited depth - Accuracy lower at a larger depth - Real-time ground truth essential | Near shore and coastal waters, open waters |
Imaging | Video | Passive | Relatively high | Image resolution | - Capable to produce minor bathymetric change | Restricted area Bathymetry along profiles | Intertidal zone and estuaries |