Modeling the backscatter response due to salt crust development

The ERS-1 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is shown to be highly sensitive to temporal variations in the mineral surface of the Chott el Djerid playa, Tunisia. Field measurements and modeling results confirm that the primary control on the backscatter response is due to salt crust development. Brine-rich moisture exerts a secondary control. The effect of temperature, salinity, and mineralogy are negligible. An integral equation model (IEM) solution with mean parameters accurately represents the observed behavior.