DocumentCode :
1127419
Title :
Use of Enhanced-Resolution QuikSCAT/SeaWinds Data for Operational Ice Services and Climate Research: Sea Ice Edge, Type, Concentration, and Drift
Author :
Haarpaintner, Jörg ; Spreen, Gunnar
Author_Institution :
Norut IT, Tromso
Volume :
45
Issue :
10
fYear :
2007
Firstpage :
3131
Lastpage :
3137
Abstract :
Enhanced-resolution QuikSCAT/SeaWinds (QSer) data recently entered the daily ice chart operation of the national ice services. Algorithms have been developed to extract four important sea ice parameters from this data over the whole Arctic: sea ice edge, type, concentration, and drift. This paper will summarize the different algorithms with a more detailed presentation of the sea ice concentration (IC) algorithm that has not been previously published. The sea ice edge can be detected to IC as low as 10%. Sea ice types can be roughly separated by a single threshold of 12 dB in the horizontal polarization. The IC algorithm gives reasonable qualitative results, separating into three classes: high, medium, and low ICs. It resolves even some characteristic ice features in the marginal ice zone and dynamic areas like the Fram Strait. However, it is very empirical and quantitatively not reliable. Sea ice drift can be determined with an accuracy of about 2.6 cm/s for a 48-h drift. Operating since 1999, QS is an important global data set for climate research, and two crucial applications how these sea ice products can be used for climate research are presented: the seasonal evolution of the sea ice cover and the export of sea ice volume through Fram Strait.
Keywords :
backscatter; climatology; oceanographic regions; oceanographic techniques; radar polarimetry; remote sensing by radar; sea ice; Arctic Ocean; Fram Strait; climate research; enhanced-resolution QuikSCAT-SeaWinds data; frequency 13.4 GHz; horizontal polarization; ice chart; ice features; operational ice service; radar backscatter; remote sensing; scatterometry; sea ice concentration; sea ice cover; sea ice drift; sea ice edge; sea ice parameters; sea ice type; sea ice volume export; Arctic; Ferroelectric films; Image edge detection; Nonvolatile memory; Polarization; Radar measurements; Random access memory; Remote sensing; Sea ice; Spaceborne radar; Arctic; remote sensing; scatterometry; sea ice;
fLanguage :
English
Journal_Title :
Geoscience and Remote Sensing, IEEE Transactions on
Publisher :
ieee
ISSN :
0196-2892
Type :
jour
DOI :
10.1109/TGRS.2007.895419
Filename :
4305365
Link To Document :
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