Study of sea ice in North Water Polynya using multi-sensor spaceborne data

The North Water Polynya (NOW) is the largest and perhaps most active polynya in the Arctic region. A study of sea ice distribution and surface properties was conducted using multi sensor satellite remote sensing data in conjunction with surface measurements during an expedition in April/May 1998. The study utilized a data fusion technique which co-locates observations from three sensors: SSM/I, AVHRRA and Radarsat SAR to explore spatial and temporal statistics of sea ice in the polynya. Results show that thin ice (less than 15 cm thickness) occupied 35% of the polynya (during the study period). Ice surface temperature and surface albedo varied significantly in the middle of the polynya and were related to ice types (identified in the fine-resolution Radarsat images). Ice concentration calculation from SSM/I brightness temperature was verified against Radarsat visual observations. The mean concentration was 0.65 and it constituted mostly thin ice types.