SAR polarimetry for permafrost active layer freeze/thaw processes

In this paper, a feasibility study is conducted in regard to using SAR for the freeze/thaw processes monitoring. The backscatter polarimetry parameter defined as a proportion of the statistically averaged HH backscatter to the VV one is calculated through solving the Maxwell equations in the small perturbation method approximation. In order to provide for the soil complex dielectric constant dependencies on moisture, texture, frequency, and temperature the generalized refractive mixing dielectric model is used. The polarimetry parameter size of changing, due to seasonal soil temperature profile deviations, soil moisture variations, and the radar look angle alterations have been analyzed in detail. The outcomes of the performed analysis intend for planning SAR observations and data processing in the experiments on active permafrost layer monitoring.