Compilation of a radar backscatter database of sea ice types and open water using operational analysis of heterogeneous ice regimes

A new algorithm has been developed to compile a database of radiometric measurements acquired by remote sensors from different surfaces that coexist in heterogeneous areas. An application is presented to compile a backscatter database of ice types during the freeze-up season in the Canadian Eastern Arctic using the operational visual analysis of RADARSAT-1 images from the Canadian Ice Service. The analysis identifies mostly heterogeneous areas composed of ice types and seawater. The estimated backscatter of each type is presented as a function of radar incidence angle. Backscatter from open seawater and seawater confined between ice floes is also presented as a function of radar incidence angle and surface wind speed. In general, backscatter obtained from heterogeneous areas using the present algorithm differs to some extent from backscatter obtained from homogeneous “training” areas for each type yet still fulfils the expectations according to the underlying physics of radar interaction with sea ice. The algorithm also identifies anomalies in the visual analysis of RADARSAT images (i.e., areas in which the analysis results are not consistent with the general analysis of the entire RADARSAT record). Therefore, the algorithm presents the first quantitative assessment of the robustness of the operational visual analysis of RADARSAT-1 images.

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