Polarimetric signatures of sea ice in the Greenland Sea

Abstract

Polarimetric SAR data of sea ice have been acquired by the Danish polarimetric SAR (EMISAR) during a mission at the Greenland Sea in August 1994. Video recordings from a low-altitude acquisition have been used for interpretation of the SAR data. Also, ERS-1 SAR data and NOAA AVHRR-data have been acquired. Microwave signatures of mulityear ice and open water have been studied, i.e. the backscatter coefficients for VV- and HV-polarizations. The co- and cross-polarized ratios, the correlations coefficients and phase difference have been computed as a function of incidence angle. The results correspond very well with previously reported result