Classification of Ice in Lützow-Holm Bay, East Antarctica, Using Data from ASCAT and AMSR2

Abstract

This paper presents an ice classification algorithm based on combined active and passive microwave radiometer data in Lützow-Holm Bay (LHB), East Antarctica. The ice classification algorithm is developed based on the threshold values of an advanced scatterometer (ASCAT) and advanced microwave scanning radiometer 2 (here, AMSR2). These values are calculated via the features of various ice types, including open ice, first-year (FY) ice, multi-year (MY) ice, MY ice including icebergs (MY IB), ice shelves, coastal ice sheets, and inland ice sheets. To verify the validity of the ice classification algorithm, the algorithm results are compared with visual observation data and satellite imagery. Except for the flaw polynya and area with surface melting, the FY ice, MY ice, and the ice shelf areas estimated here using the proposed ice classification algorithm match those discernible from the verification data. Inter-annual changes in the areal extents of FY ice, MY ice, and the ice shelves are investigated here using the proposed ice classification algorithm. Investigation of MY ice and ice shelf areas revealed that the breakup of MY ice induced a breakup of an ice shelf. A comparison of the FY ice and MY ice areas showed the replacement of these ice types. The proposed ice classification algorithm can detect ice breakup events as quantitative changes in the distribution and ice type. In future work, we plan to classify sea ice in other sea ice areas, applying the proposed algorithm throughout the Antarctic region.

Keywords

• sea ice
• ice sheet
• ice classification
• satellite-based remote-sensing
• Antarctic