Proyectos vigentes

Advances in monitoring sea ice thickness and snow depth, ocean dynamics, and freshwater content in the Arctic using remote sensing data

Equipo

Physical and Technological Oceanography Department (ICM-CSIC)

Acrónimo

ARTIC-MON

IP

Carolina Gabarró y Pedro Elosegui

Resumen

ARCTIC-MON research focuses on demonstrating that the use of L-band radiometer satellite data (SMOS, SMAP, and the future CIMR), in combination with other satellites and models, allows an enhanced measurement of sea ice decline, the monitoring of river discharge impact, and study the water influx through assessing surface current which are key elements to measure and understand the changes of the freshwater cycle of the Arctic. L-band radiometry provides information on the thickness of the thin sea ice (SIT) and the sea surface salinity (SSS) of the Arctic Ocean. SIT has traditionally been measured using altimetry systems. However, this technology can only detect thick ice (more than 1 m), while SMOS can measure thinner sea ice. We propose to do a field campaign in Canadá (Cambridge Bay station) to measure the ice with an L-band radiometer in fall. In addition to the radiometer, we will put a GNSS system (to measure the snow thickness), an L-band radar, IR and VIS cameras, and several instruments to measure the sea ice characteristics. From the data, we will be able to characterize the sensitivity of TBs to different ice/snow variables and derive a new improved emissivity model. This model will help us to retrieve the SIT from SMOS, SMAP satellites.
Using new SSS data set, together with data of organic and inorganic dissolved matter (CDM) obtained with optical sensors, we will quantify the different types of water (melt, sea and rivers) and then compute the river discharges, as well as studying its temporal evolution. We will also monitor the dynamics of the upper ocean to estimate Arctic currents in the region by combining SSS data, sea surface temperature, and altimeter data.
Finally, we will use all this information to infer the freshwater content (FWC) in Beaufort, understand its distribution and evolution. Moreover, the freshwater fluxes through major freshwater gateways in the Arctic will be calculated. Temporal variations and trends analysis of the cited parameters will be performed in the regions.

Actividades del proyecto

- field campaign in Cambridge Bay Canada, with an L-band radiometers, among other instruments
- compute SIT from SMOS and SMAP
- quantify the different types of water (melt, sea and rivers) and then compute the river discharges, as well as studying its temporal evolution.
- monitor the dynamics of the upper ocean to estimate Arctic currents in the region by combining SSS data, sea surface temperature, and altimeter data
- infer the freshwater content (FWC) in Beaufort

Fecha inicio

01/09/2022

Fecha finalización

31/08/2025

Organismo financiador

AEI (PID2021-125324OB-I00)

Cuantía