Report on Workshop "Study of the Polar Atmosphere and Cryosphere Using Remote-Sensing Data"

Abstract

The main purpose of the workshop is to discuss recent results of polar atmosphere/cryosphere research using remote-sensing data and their algorithms. It was held on January 25,1995 at the National Institute of Polar Research (NIPR), the number of participants being about 30. The contents of the workshop are as follows. Analyses of sea ice distribution : (1) To reduce the frequency of error in the sea ice area measurement over the Okhotsk Sea by the customary algorithm used by NASA, a new algorithm based on DMSP SSM/I data was discussed. (2) The velocity field of pack ice migration in the vicinity of Syowa Station was estimated using NOAA AVHRR data. (3) The interannual variation of seasonal variation in sea ice thickness around Syowa Station was preliminarily reported. (4) On the difference in sea ice detection between ERS-1 and JERS-l SAR data, the effect of incidence angle was discussed. Analyses of the Antarctic ice sheet and glaciers : (5) On the variation in albedo in a glacier and a part of the ice sheet, using NOAA AVHRR data, some effects of the radius of snow particles in the accumulated snow layer, dust contamination and propagation of ice algae were discussed. (6) Some features of the surface and near surface structure of the Antarctic ice sheet were discussed using MOS-1b MESSR data, ERS-1 and JERS-1 SAR data, and JERS-1 SAR interferometer data. Analyses of the atmospheric field : (7) An algorithm for detection of cloud, sea ice and ice sheet around Syowa Station using NOAA AVHRR data was discussed. (8) The relationship between hemispheric-scale atmospheric circulation in the southern hemisphere and the distribution pattern of OLR (Outgoing Longwave Radiation, calculated by NOAA AVHRR data) over the Antarctic continent was discussed. (9) Numerical modeling which takes into account multi-scattering in the snow/ice layer, influence on the albedo at the snow/ice surface for some parameters of ice particle size, and the number of accumulated snow layers was discussed.