Deep learning for ocean remote sensing: an application of convolutional neural networks for super-resolution on satellite-derived SST data

In this paper, we propose to address the downscaling of ocean remote sensing data using image super-resolution models based on deep learning, and more particularly Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs). The goal of this study, for which we focus on satellite-derived Sea Surface Temperature (SST) data, is to evaluate the efficiency and the relevance of deep learning architectures applied to oceanographic remote sensing data. By using a CNN architecture, namely SRCNN (Super Resolution CNN), on a large-scale dataset of SST fields, we show that it allows a considerable gain in terms of PSNR compared to classical downscaling techniques. These results point out the relevance of deep learning models specifically trained for ocean remote sensing data and advocate for other applications to the reconstruction of high-resolution sea surface geophysical fields from multi-sensor satellite observations.