An examination of the radar backscatter of sea ice in the East Siberian and Chukchi Seas

Many examinations of the radar backscatter of sea ice using data from the European Space Agency´s ERS-1 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) have been performed in the Beaufort Sea. This analysis extends the region of study to the East Siberian and Chukchi Seas for the winter season. Development of a characterization of sea ice in this region is important from both a research and operational standpoint. From a research point of view, regional characterization of sea ice is important to global heat exchange applications. Operationally, characterization of the sea ice will lead to the improved application of ice classification algorithms in this region. Eighty-six ERS-1 low resolution SAR images were sampled in the region north of 70°N and between 170°W and 130°E during two winter seasons (1991/1992 and 1992/1993). Backscatter statistics from these samples were generated for the major ice types in the area. These statistics are compared with statistics generated from a like data set of sea ice samples in the Beaufort Sea region. Similarities and differences are noted. Explanations for the possible causes of these similarities and differences are presented in terms of the sea ice climatology of the region