An ocean front detection and tracking algorithm

Ocean front is defined as the interface between different water masses and plays a vital role in the evolution of many physical phenomena. Previous detection methods are based on histogram, Lyapunov exponent, gradient and machine learning. These algorithms, however, introduce discontinuity, inaccuracy, use less information or just approaching traditional results. Moreover, automatic front tracking algrorithm is not open source in preceding studies. This paper foucuses on large-scale ocean fronts and proposes an automatic front detection and tracking algorithm based on Bayesian decision and metric space. In this, front merging, filling and ring deletion are put forward to enhance continuity. The distance between fronts in different days is firstly defined and is well-defined in metric space for functional analysis. These technologies can be migrated to other areas of computer vision such as edge detection and tracking.