Snow melting bias in microwave mapping of Antarctic snow accumulation

Satellite records of microwave surface emission have been used to interpolate in-situ observations of Antarctic surface mass balance (SMB) and build continental-scale maps of accumulation. Using a carefully screened subset of SMB measurements in the 90°–180° E sector, we show a reasonable agreement...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: O. Magand, G. Picard, L. Brucker, M. Fily, C. Genthon
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2008
Subjects:
geo
Online Access:http://www.the-cryosphere.net/2/109/2008/tc-2-109-2008.pdf
https://doaj.org/article/941623c2d9784bc1a68d2855008212e8
Description
Summary:Satellite records of microwave surface emission have been used to interpolate in-situ observations of Antarctic surface mass balance (SMB) and build continental-scale maps of accumulation. Using a carefully screened subset of SMB measurements in the 90°–180° E sector, we show a reasonable agreement with microwave-based accumulation map in the dry-snow regions, but large discrepancies in the coastal regions where melt occurs during summer. Using an emission microwave model, we explain the failure of microwave sensors to retrieve SMB by the presence of layers created by melt/refreeze cycles. We conclude that regions potentially affected by melting should be masked-out in microwave-based interpolation schemes.