4. Regional variability of sea ice properties and thickness in the northwestern Weddell Sea obtained by in-situ and satellite measurements
The western Weddell Sea is one of only a few regions of the southern Ocean covered by perennial sea ice. As such, it is of particular importance for atmosphere-ice-ocean processes and in particular for the oceanic freshwater balance. Therefore, the main objectives of the sea ice geophysical program...
Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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Format: | Text |
Language: | English |
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Online Access: | http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.550.4448 http://www.awi.de/fileadmin/user_upload/Research/Research_Divisions/Climate_Sciences/Sea_Ice_Physics/pdf_poster/WWOSCruiseReport.pdf |
Summary: | The western Weddell Sea is one of only a few regions of the southern Ocean covered by perennial sea ice. As such, it is of particular importance for atmosphere-ice-ocean processes and in particular for the oceanic freshwater balance. Therefore, the main objectives of the sea ice geophysical program were: 1. Quantification of the regional variability of first- and second year sea ice and snow thickness in the north-western Weddell Sea, and observations of their interannual variability in comparison with earlier measurements of other researchers, obtained by drilling and upward-looking-sonar. In particular, we aimed at continuing observations performed during ISPOL (Ant 22/2) in December 2005. 2. Validation of satellite measurements of radar backscatter and surface temperature of different ice types and polynya processes by means of coincident real-time Envisat-SAR and NOAA-AVHRR imagery received on board, and in-situ measurements of ice and snow thickness and other physical properties. With an improved understanding of satellite signatures, the results of our in-situ measurements can be spatially extrapolated and extended to longer time periods. |
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