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www.the-cryosphere-discuss.net/4/183/2010/
doi:10.5194/tcd-4-183-2010
© Author(s) 2010. This work is distributed
under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
An algorithm to detect sea ice leads using AMSR-E passive microwave imagery
Institute of Oceanography, University of Hamburg, Bundesstraße 53, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
Abstract. Leads are major sites of energy fluxes and brine releases at the air-ocean interface of sea ice covered oceans. This study presents an algorithm to detect leads that are broader than 3 km in the entire Arctic Ocean. The algorithm detected 50% of the lead area that is visible in optical satellite images. Passive microwave imagery from the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer – Earth Observation System (AMSR-E) is used, allowing daily observations that are independent of daylight or cloud conditions. Using unique signatures of thin ice in the brightness temperature ratio between the 89 GHz and 19 GHz channels, the algorithm allowed to detect thin ice features in the ice cover and is optimized to detect leads. Leads were mapped for the period from 2002–2009 excluding the summer months. Several frequently reoccurring large scale lead patterns were found, especially in regions where sea ice is known to drift out of the Arctic Ocean. The maximum lead occurrence in the Arctic is located in the Beaufort Sea, low lead occurrence was found in the inner Arctic Ocean close to the North Pole.
Discussion Paper (PDF, 4796 KB) Interactive Discussion (Final Response, 5 Comments) Manuscript under review for TC
Citation: Röhrs, J. and Kaleschke, L.: An algorithm to detect sea ice leads using AMSR-E passive microwave imagery, The Cryosphere Discuss., 4, 183-206, doi:10.5194/tcd-4-183-2010, 2010. Bibtex EndNote Reference Manager XML
