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Dual-polarized ratio algorithm for retrieving Arctic sea ice concentration from passive microwave brightness temperature

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Abstract

We present a new algorithm for retrieving sea ice concentration from the AMSR-E data, the dual-polarized ratio (DPR) algorithm. The DPR algorithm is developed using vertically and horizontally polarized brightness temperatures at the same channel of 36.5 GHz. It depends on the ratio of dual-polarized emissivity, α, which is determined empirically at about 0.92 by remotely sensed brightness temperature in winter and used for the other seasons as well. The ice concentration retrieved by the DPR is compared with those by the NT2 and ABA algorithms. Since the main difference among these algorithms takes place in marginal ice zones, 17 marginal ice zones are chosen. The retrieved ice concentrations in these zones are examined by the ice concentration obtained by the MODIS data. The mean error, root-mean-square error and mean absolute error of the DPR algorithm are relatively better than those from the other two algorithms. The results of this study illustrate that the DPR algorithm is a more accurate algorithm for retrieving sea ice concentration from the AMSR-E brightness temperature, and can be used for operational purposes.

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Acknowledgments

This study is supported by the Global Change Research Program (2010CB951403) and the Hi-tech Program of China (2008AA121701).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ocean University of China, Qingdao, People’s Republic of China

    Shugang Zhang, Jinping Zhao & Jie Su

  2. Clark University, Worcester, USA

    Karen Frey

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  1. Shugang Zhang
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  2. Jinping Zhao
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  3. Karen Frey
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  4. Jie Su
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Correspondence to Shugang Zhang.

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Zhang, S., Zhao, J., Frey, K. et al. Dual-polarized ratio algorithm for retrieving Arctic sea ice concentration from passive microwave brightness temperature. J Oceanogr 69, 215–227 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10872-012-0167-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10872-012-0167-z

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