Chapter 19
Retrieval of Sea Ice and Snow
Parameters from Microwave
Radiometer and Radar Data
Martti Hallikainen
Laboratory of Space Technology
Helsinki University of Technology
Otakaari 5 A, 02150 Espoo
Finland
19.1 Available Data Sets
In microwave radiometry the U.S. Nimbus-7 SMMR instrument (frequency range 6.6 to 37
GHz) provided data in 1978-1986 and these data have been used for developing snow and sea
ice algorithms. Presently microwave radiometer data are available from the U.S. DMSP SSMjI
sensors (frequency range 19 to 85 GHz). Airborne microwave radiometers include the recently
constructed Helsinki University of Technology system that operates in the 6.6 to 94 GHz range.
Ground-based sensors are an important tool in algorithm development.
In radar remote sensing of sea ice and snow, ERS-1 SAR (5.3 GHz, VV polarization) data
are widely used. Additional data sets include NASAjJPL airborne SAR system (0.4 , 1.2,
5.3 GHz, fully polarimetric) data and Japanese JERS-1 SAR data. The recently completed
EMISAR airborne sensor (5.3 and 1.2 GHz, fully polarimetric) has produced its first sea ice
and snow data sets in the ESA EMAC campaign in Finland. Ground-based sensors provide
useful data.
19.2 Sea Ice
19.2.1 Retrieval of ice concentration and ice type
19.2.1.1 Radiometer
19.2.1.1.1 Single-channel radiometry Retrieval of ice concentration by microwave radiometry is based on the contrast between the brightness temperatures of sea ice and open
water. Single-channel radiometry can be used to determine ice concentration in areas, where
NATO AS! Series. Vol. ! 45
Radiation and Water in the Climate System:
Remote Measurements
Edited by Ehrhard Raschke
© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 1996
Retrieval of Sea Ice and Snow
Parameters from Microwave
Radiometer and Radar Data
Martti Hallikainen
Laboratory of Space Technology
Helsinki University of Technology
Otakaari 5 A, 02150 Espoo
Finland
19.1 Available Data Sets
In microwave radiometry the U.S. Nimbus-7 SMMR instrument (frequency range 6.6 to 37
GHz) provided data in 1978-1986 and these data have been used for developing snow and sea
ice algorithms. Presently microwave radiometer data are available from the U.S. DMSP SSMjI
sensors (frequency range 19 to 85 GHz). Airborne microwave radiometers include the recently
constructed Helsinki University of Technology system that operates in the 6.6 to 94 GHz range.
Ground-based sensors are an important tool in algorithm development.
In radar remote sensing of sea ice and snow, ERS-1 SAR (5.3 GHz, VV polarization) data
are widely used. Additional data sets include NASAjJPL airborne SAR system (0.4 , 1.2,
5.3 GHz, fully polarimetric) data and Japanese JERS-1 SAR data. The recently completed
EMISAR airborne sensor (5.3 and 1.2 GHz, fully polarimetric) has produced its first sea ice
and snow data sets in the ESA EMAC campaign in Finland. Ground-based sensors provide
useful data.
19.2 Sea Ice
19.2.1 Retrieval of ice concentration and ice type
19.2.1.1 Radiometer
19.2.1.1.1 Single-channel radiometry Retrieval of ice concentration by microwave radiometry is based on the contrast between the brightness temperatures of sea ice and open
water. Single-channel radiometry can be used to determine ice concentration in areas, where
NATO AS! Series. Vol. ! 45
Radiation and Water in the Climate System:
Remote Measurements
Edited by Ehrhard Raschke
© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 1996