Microwave measurements of sea ice in the Kara and Laptev Sea

Radiometric measurements made during the Arctic-expedition ARK 12 of R.V. Polarstern in the Kara and Laptev Sea which took place from 12th July to 23th September 1996 were obtained using three Dicke Radiometers from the University of Bern (Switzerland) mounted on a sledge operating at 11, 21 and 35 GHz and measuring in horizontal and vertical polarization with incidence angles between 20 and 70 degrees. The observed brightness temperatures show a strong correlation with the snow thickness. The size of the snow grains is also important. Some examples of the data set are compared to a combined radiative transfer-strong fluctuation theory approach using a layer model describing the sea ice and calculating the emissivities of both polarizations.