Investigation of Antarctic Sea Ice Concentration by Means of Selected Algorithms

• Main Author: Lomax, Andrew S.
• Other Authors: NAVAL ACADEMY ANNAPOLIS MD
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1992
• Subjects: Snow; Ice and Permafrost; Computer Programming and Software; *SEA ICE; *MARGINAL ICE ZONES; ALGORITHMS; INPUT; OUTPUT; GLOBAL; MODELS; COMPARISON; RESOLUTION; MICROWAVES; ICE FORMATION; REGIONS; TIME; ICE; PATTERNS; FRAMES; OCEANS; HEAT; INDICATORS; PACK ICE; FINES; ANTARCTIC REGIONS; ROSS SEA; GLOBAL WARMING; FRAZIL ICE; Antarctic; Antarctic Ocean; Ross Sea; Weddell; Antarc*; Antarctica; Ice; ice pack; permafrost; Sea ice
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA257132; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA257132

Changes in areal extent and concentration of sea ice around Antarctica may serve as sensitive indicators of global warming. A comparison study was conducted between the outputs of the three main algorithms currently in use (NASA Team, Comisco, and NORSEX) and a sea-ice model (Fine Resolution Antarctic Model). Data from the DMSP Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I) were used as input algorithms for the time frame July, 1987 to June, 1990. Large disparities are apparent when comparing the NASA algorithm with the Comisco and NORSEX algorithms. Very large differences, some higher than 30 per cent, exist in the marginal ice zones, along the coast, and in the Weddell and Ross Seas Heat fluxes through recurring polynyas were calculated to quantify further differences in the algorithms; however, no conclusive patterns were apparent. No significant change in the extent or area of the ice pack occurred from July, 1987 through June, 1990. Antarctic Ocean, Antarctic regions, Global warming, Sea ice-Antarctic regions.