Freeze-thaw processes radar remote sensing modeling and image processing

In this paper, a theoretical model for radar backscatter in the permafrost area was developed and validated with the use of backscatter values derived from the radar images taken with the ERS-2 and JERS-1 in C and L bands, respectively. The employed backscatter model incorporates a spectroscopic dielectric model, which account for the unfrozen water dielectric properties at the temperatures below 0° C, and the measured temperature profiles and moisture values, regarding the active layer. The period from August 1997 to January 1998 was covered to include freeze/thaw processes in the active layer. The radar imaging of tundra in the Franklin Bluffs area, Alaska was used for analysis. A justification for that was the existence of a permafrost observatory in this area, which provides for measured soil temperature and moisture through year cycles. Reasonable correlation between modeled and observed backscatter seasonal trends has been found. This proves possibility for the theoretical model suggested to be used as a foundation for developing physically based algorithms, which are applicable to radar remote sensing technique in terms of freeze/thaw processes studies and radar images classification.