Observations of Thin First Year Sea Ice Using a Suite of Surface Radar, LiDAR, and Drone Sensors

Isleifson, Dustin; Harasyn, Madison L.; Landry, David; Babb, David G.; Asihene, Elvis

doi:10.1080/07038992.2023.2226220

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…These behaviors were unchanged until the presence of wind in Stage 2 made two copolarized signals back to their typical places for open water conditions, with VV > HH. A multilayer scattering model indicates that this polarization reversal is plausible for the given conditions [43,44]; however, we plan to address further modeling studies in future work. Earlier studies revealed that the multipolarization NRCS responses remained steadily stable throughout the experiment under calm conditions (see [24,25]).…”

Section: Nrcs Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Monitoring Diesel Spills in Freezing Seawater under Windy Conditions Using C-Band Polarimetric Radar

Zabihi Mayvan,

Asihene,

Desmond

et al. 2024

Remote Sensing

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The risk of oil spills in the Arctic is growing rapidly as anthropogenic activities increase due to climate-driven sea ice loss. Detecting and monitoring fuel spills in the marine environment is imperative for enacting an efficient response to mitigate the risk. Microwave radar systems can be used to address this issue; therefore, we examined the potential of C-band polarimetric radar for detecting diesel fuel in freezing seawater under windy environmental conditions. We present results from a mesocosm experiment, where we introduced diesel fuel to a seawater-filled cylindrical tub at the Sea-ice Environmental Research Facility (SERF), University of Manitoba. We characterized the temporal evolution of the diesel-contaminated seawater and sea ice by monitoring the normalized radar cross section (NRCS) and polarimetric parameters (i.e., copolarization ratio (Rco), cross-polarization ratio (Rxo), entropy (H), mean-alpha (α), conformity coefficient (μ), and copolarization correlation coefficient (ρco)) at 20° and 25° incidence angles. Three stages were identified, with notably different NRCS and polarimetric results, related to the thermophysical conditions. The transition from calm conditions to windy conditions was detected by the 25° incidence angle, whereas the transition from open water to sea ice was more apparent at 20°. The polarimetric analysis demonstrated that the conformity coefficient can have distinctive sensitivities to the presence of wind and sea ice at different incidence angles. The H versus α scatterplot showed that the range of distribution is dependent upon wind speed, incidence angle, and oil product. The findings of this study can be used to further improve the capability of existing and future C-band dual-polarization radar satellites or drone systems to detect and monitor potential diesel spills in the Arctic, particularly during the freeze-up season.

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Section: Nrcs Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Monitoring Diesel Spills in Freezing Seawater under Windy Conditions Using C-Band Polarimetric Radar

Zabihi Mayvan,

Asihene,

Desmond

et al. 2024

Remote Sensing

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“…NI is a complex multiphase material consisting mostly of ice crystals and brine inclusions. This type of sea ice is prevalent during freeze-up seasons, exists in various formations (such as frazil, grease ice, nilas, and pancake ice [8]), and its surfaces can be bare, covered with frost flowers, or covered with snow [9]. Under relatively calm ocean condition, NI usually grows into two distinct ice types: dark nilas (<5 cm thick) and light nilas (5-10 cm thick) [10].…”

Section: A Oil-covered Newly Formed Sea Ice (Ni)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Toward the Estimation of Oil Slick Thickness on Newly Formed Sea Ice Using C-Band Radar Backscatter

Asihene,

Komarov,

Stern

et al. 2024

IEEE Trans. Geosci. Remote Sensing

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Oil thickness in oil spills involving sea ice is a key parameter required for an effective oil spill response; however, quantifying it from radar backscatter data remains a difficult task. We investigated a possible solution for estimating oil slick thickness by using electromagnetic forward and inverse scattering models of oil-covered newly formed sea ice (NI). Our forward model employs a first-order approximation of a multilayered small perturbation method to predict two copolarization C-band radar backscatters of NI covered by an oil slick with thicknesses ranging from 0-7 mm. The results showed that the backscatter decreases as slick thickness increases, which we attributed to signal attenuation within the saline-oil layer. Our inverse model relies on the particle swarm optimization algorithm to determine the slick thickness on NI using synthetic backscatter data, and it requires the input of several important ice and oil physical parameters (thickness, dielectrics, and roughness). Moreover, the estimated slick thickness was validated using scatterometer data from an oilon-ice experiment at the University of Manitoba's Sea-ice Environmental Research Facility. With synthetic data, the 5 mm oil slick thickness was overestimated by 25%, while with experimental data, it was overestimated by 8%. Overall, our findings have laid the groundwork for future inversion studies to identify the thickest oil spill zone from current and future C-band radar satellites for immediate response.

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“…The behavior of oil products within sea ice contributes to the detection abilities of microwave scatterometer systems. Changes in sea ice salinity strongly impact microwave backscatter results from scatterometer systems as salinity is a critical factor in determining how far microwaves can penetrate the sea ice [32]. Studies that focused on detecting oil underneath and within sea ice at C-band noted that the oil was only detectable underneath thin ice or once it moved up through the ice to the surface [25].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of C-Band Polarimetric Radar for the Detection of Diesel Fuel in Newly Formed Sea Ice

Hicks,

Zabihi Mayvan,

Asihene

et al. 2024

Remote Sensing

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There is a heightened risk of an oil spill occurring in the Arctic, as climate change driven sea ice loss permits an increase in Arctic marine transportation. The ability to detect an oil spill and monitor its progression is key to enacting an effective response. Microwave scatterometer systems may be used detect changes in sea ice thermodynamic and physical properties, so we examined the potential of C-band polarimetric radar for detecting diesel fuel beneath a thin sea ice layer. Sea ice physical properties, including thickness, temperature, and salinity, were measured before and after diesel addition beneath the ice. Time-series polarimetric C-band scatterometer measurements monitored the sea ice evolution and diesel migration to the sea ice surface. We characterized the temporal evolution of the diesel-contaminated seawater and sea ice by monitoring the normalized radar cross section (NRCS) and polarimetric parameters (conformity coefficient (μ), copolarization correlation coefficient (ρco)) at 20° and 25° incidence angles. We delineated three stages, with distinct NRCS and polarimetric results, which could be connected to the thermophysical state and the presence of diesel on the surface. Stage 1 described the initial formation of sea ice, while in Stage 2, we injected 20L of diesel beneath the sea ice. No immediate response was noted in the radar measurements. With the emergence of diesel on the sea ice surface, denoted by Stage 3, the NRCS dropped substantially. The largest response was for VV and HH polarizations at 20° incidence angle. Physical sampling indicated that diesel emerged to the surface of the sea ice and trended towards the tub edge and the polarimetric scatterometer was sensitive to these physical changes. This study contributes to a greater understanding of how C-band frequencies can be used to monitor oil products in the Arctic and act as a baseline for the interpretation of satellite data. Additionally, these findings will assist in the development of standards for oil and diesel fuel detection in the Canadian Arctic in association with the Canadian Standards Association Group.

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Observations of Thin First Year Sea Ice Using a Suite of Surface Radar, LiDAR, and Drone Sensors

Cited by 4 publications

References 48 publications

Monitoring Diesel Spills in Freezing Seawater under Windy Conditions Using C-Band Polarimetric Radar

Monitoring Diesel Spills in Freezing Seawater under Windy Conditions Using C-Band Polarimetric Radar

Toward the Estimation of Oil Slick Thickness on Newly Formed Sea Ice Using C-Band Radar Backscatter

Assessment of C-Band Polarimetric Radar for the Detection of Diesel Fuel in Newly Formed Sea Ice

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