Sea Ice Deformation Mapping by Means of Synthetic Aperture Radar

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

A concept that utilizes parameters retrieved from synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery will be devised in order to evaluate the atmospheric drag coefficient of sea ice. Methods will be developed for mapping and quantifying sea ice surface structure and deformation (e. g. floe size distribution, ridge spacing) from radar data. Considering that different SAR systems will be launched into space in the near future, the proposed investigations consider the effect of radar frequency, polarization, and spatial resolutions on the parameter retrieval. Retrieval methods and their accuracy will be assessed. Potential correlations between SAR backscatter variations, retrieved parameters related to sea ice deformation and surface structure, and the atmospheric drag coefficient will be analysed. The utilization of the retrieved parameters will be tested in numerical simulations of atmospheric boundary layer processes. Quantitative information about the sea ice surface structure and deformation is also of use for modelling sea ice dynamics, estimating sea ice mass balance, classifying ice types, and for safety and efficiency of marine transport and offshore operations.