2014-04-11
Effect of Snow Density Irregularities on Radar Backscatter from a Layered Dry Snow Pack
By
Progress In Electromagnetics Research B, Vol. 59, 181-191, 2014
Abstract
The contribution of electromagnetic wave scattering on density irregularities in the volume component of radar backscatter was analyzed for a thick snow pack containing internal hoar/ice layers. To evaluate the effect of this scattering, Density Deviation Factor (DDF), a statistical parameter, was introduced into the backscattering coefficient using the ``slice'' approach. DDF is proportional to the intensity of the density fluctuation and inverse to the mean density. The inverse dependence of backscatter with accumulation rate was discussed based on the DDF parameterization of snow inhomogeneities.
Citation
Boris S. Yurchak, "Effect of Snow Density Irregularities on Radar Backscatter from a Layered Dry Snow Pack," Progress In Electromagnetics Research B, Vol. 59, 181-191, 2014.
doi:10.2528/PIERB14022403
References

1. Shuman, C. A., D. H. Bromwich, J. Kipfstuhl, and M. Schwanger, "Multiyear accumulation and temperature history near the North Greenland Ice Core Project site, north central Greenland," J. Geophys. Res., Vol. 106, No. D24, 33853-33866, 2001.
doi:10.1029/2001JD900197        Google Scholar

2. Zahnen, N., F. Jung-Rothenhausler, H. Oerter, F. Wilhelms, and H. Miller, "Correlation between Antarctic dry snow properties and backscattering characteristics in radarsat SAR imagery," Proceedings of EARSeL-LISSIG Workshop Observing Our Cryosphere from Space, 140-148, Bern, Mar. 11-13, 2002.        Google Scholar

3. Karkas, E., T. Martma, and E. Sounninen, "Physical properties and stratigraphy of surface snow in western Droning Maud Land, Antarctica," Polar Research, Vol. 24, No. 1-2, 55-67, 2005.
doi:10.1111/j.1751-8369.2005.tb00140.x        Google Scholar

4. Godio, A., "Georadar measurements for the snow cover density," American Journal of Applied Sciences, Vol. 6, No. 3, 414-423, 2009.
doi:10.3844/ajassp.2009.414.423        Google Scholar

5. Langley, K., P. Lacroix, S.-E. Hamran, and O. Brandt, "Sources of backscatter at 5.3 GHz from a superimposed ice and ˉrn area revealed by multi-frequency GPR and cores," J. Glaciology, Vol. 55, No. 190, 373-383, 2009.
doi:10.3189/002214309788608660        Google Scholar

6. Hawley, R. L., E. M. Morris, R. Cullen, U. Nixdorf, A. P. Shepherd, and D. J. Wingham, "ASIRAS airborne radar resolves internal annual layers in the dry-snow zone of Greenland," Geoph. Res. Lett., Vol. 33, L04502, 2006, Doi: 10.1029/2005GL025147.        Google Scholar

7. Kanagaratnam, P., S. P. Gogineni, N. Gundestrup, and L. Larsen, "High resolution radar mapping on internal layers at the North Greenland Ice Core Project," J. Geophys. Res., Vol. 106, No. D24, 33799-33811, 2001.
doi:10.1029/2001JD900191        Google Scholar

8. Ulaby, F. T., R. K. Moore, and A. K. Fung, Microwave Remote Sensing, Active and Passive, from Theory to Applications, Volume III, Artech House, Inc., Norwood, 1986.

9. Fung, A., Microwave Scattering and Emission Models and Their Applications, Artech House, New York, 1994.

10. Wismann, V., D. P. Winebrenner, K. Boehnke, and R. J. Arthern, "Snow accumulation on Greenland estimated from ERS scatterometer data," Proceedings of the IGARSS' 97, Vol. 4, 1823-1825, Singapore, Aug. 3-8, 1997.        Google Scholar

11. Matzler, C., "Improved born approximation for scattering in a granular medium," J. Appl. Phys., Vol. 83, 6111-6117, 1998.
doi:10.1063/1.367496        Google Scholar

12. Forster, R. R., K. C. Jezek, J. Bolzan, F. Baumgarner, and S. P. Gogineni, "Relationships between radar backscatter and accumulation rates in the Greenland ice sheet," Int. J. Remote Sens., Vol. 20, No. 15-16, 3131-3147, 1999.
doi:10.1080/014311699211660        Google Scholar

13. Bingham, A. W. and M. R. Drinkwater, "Recent changes in the microwave scattering properties of the Antarctic ice sheet," IEEE Trans. Geosci. Remote Sens., Vol. 38, No. 4, 1810-1820, 2000.
doi:10.1109/36.851765        Google Scholar

14. Hoen, E. W., "A correlation-based approach to modeling interferometric radar observations of the Greenland ice sheet,", Ph.D. Thesis, Stanford University, 2001.        Google Scholar

15. Tsang, L., J. Pan, D. Liang, Z. X. Li, D. Cline, and Y. H. Tan, "Modeling active microwave remote sensing of snow using dense media radiative transfer (DMRT) theory with multiple scattering effects," IEEE Trans. Geosci. Remote Sens., Vol. 45, No. 4, 990-1004, 2007.
doi:10.1109/TGRS.2006.888854        Google Scholar

16. Xu, X., D. Liang, L. Tsang, K. M. Andreadis, E. G. Josberger, D. P. Lettenmaier, D. W. Cline, and S. H. Yueh, "Active remote sensing of snow using NMM3D/DMRT and comparison with CLPX-II airborne data," IEEE J. Selected Topics in Applied Earth Observations and Remote Sensing, Vol. 3, No. 4, 689-697, 2010.
doi:10.1109/JSTARS.2010.2053919        Google Scholar

17. Kendra, J. R., K. Sarabandi, and F. T. Ulaby, "Radar measurement of snow: Experiment and analysis," IEEE Trans. Geosci. Remote Sens., Vol. 36, No. 3, 864-879, 1998.
doi:10.1109/36.673679        Google Scholar

18. Ruiz, C., "Feasibility study of imaging the Antarctic ice using a space-borne P-band radar,", WP 200: Electromagnetic Model Review Document, ESA Contract No. 18195/04/NL/CB, 2005.        Google Scholar

19. Marshall, J. S. and W. Hitchfeld, "Interpretation of the fluctuating echo from randomly distributed scatterers," Can. J. Phys., Vol. 31, No. 6, 962-994, 1953.
doi:10.1139/p53-084        Google Scholar

20. Smith, Jr., P. L., "Scattering of microwave by cloud droplets," Proceedings of 11th Weather Radar Conf., 201-207, Boulder, Colorado, Sep. 14-18, 1964.        Google Scholar

21. Yurchak, B. S., "Radar volume backscatter from spatially extended geophysical targets in a `slice' approach," IEEE Trans. Geosci. Remote Sens., Vol. 47, No. 11, 3690-3696, 2009, Doi: 10.1109/TGRS.2009.2015444.
doi:10.1109/TGRS.2009.2015444        Google Scholar

22. Vickers, R. S. and G. C. Rose, "High resolution measurements of snowpack stratigraphy using a short pulse radar,", Vol. I, 261-267, Proceedings of the 8th International Symposium on Remote Sensing of Environment.        Google Scholar

23. Ellerbruch, D. A. and H. S. Boyne, "Snow stratigraphy and water equivalence measured with an active microwave system," J. Glaciology, Vol. 26, No. 94, 225-233, 1980.        Google Scholar

24. Yurchak, B. S., "Some features of the volume component of radar backscatter from thick and dry snow cover," Advances in Geoscience and Remote Sensing, G. Jedlovec (ed.), 93{140, In-Tech, Vukovar, 2009.        Google Scholar

25. Rott, H., K. Sturm, and H. Miller, "Active and passive microwave signatures of Antarctic firn by means of field measurements and satellite data," Ann. Glaciol., Vol. 17, 337-343, 1993.        Google Scholar

26. Ulaby, F. T., R. K. Moore, and A. K. Fung, Microwave Remote Sensing: Active and Passive, Radar Remote Sensing and Surface Scattering and Emission Theory, Volume II, Artech House, Norwood, MA, 1992.

27. Long, D. G. and M. R. Drinkwater, "Greenland ice-sheet surface properties observed by the Seasat --- A scatterometer at enhanced resolution," J. Glaciology, Vol. 40, 213-230, 1994.        Google Scholar

28. Eom, H. J. and W.-M. Boerner, "A re-examination of radar terrain backscattering at nadir," IEEE Trans. Geosci. Remote Sens., Vol. 24, No. 2, 232-234, 1986.
doi:10.1109/TGRS.1986.289642        Google Scholar

29. West, R. D., D. P. Winebrenner, L. Tsang, and H. Rott, "Microwave emission from density-stratified Antarctic firn at 6 cm wavelength," J. Glaciology, Vol. 42, No. 140, 63-76, 1986.        Google Scholar

30. Paren, J. G., "Reflection coe±cient at a dielectric interface," J. Glaciology, Vol. 27, No. 95, 203-204, 1981.        Google Scholar

31. Atlas, D., "Advances in radar meteorology," Adv. Geophys., Vol. 10, 317-478, 1964.
doi:10.1016/S0065-2687(08)60009-6        Google Scholar

32. Kendall, M. G., Advanced Theory of Statistics, Volume 1, 6th Edition, Arnold, Stuart & Ord., London , 1968.

33. Tiuri, M. E., A. H. Sihvola, E. G. Nyfors, and M. T. Hallikainen, "The complex dielectric constant of snow at microwave frequencies," IEEE J. Ocean. Engin., Vol. 9, No. 5, 377-382, 1984.
doi:10.1109/JOE.1984.1145645        Google Scholar

34. Gow, A. J., "Deep core studies of the accumulation and densification of snow at Byrd Station and ittle America V, Antarctica,", CRREL Research Report, 197, 1968.        Google Scholar

35. Rotschky, G., W. Rack, W. Dierking, and H. Oerter, "Retrieving snowpack properties and accumulation estimates from a combination of SAR and scatterometer measurements," IEEE Trans. Geosci. Remote Sens., Vol. 44, No. 4, 943-956, 2006.
doi:10.1109/TGRS.2005.862524        Google Scholar

36. Holmlund, P., K. Gjerde, N. Gundestrup, M. Hansson, E. Isaksson, L. Karlof, M. Nyman, R. Pettersson, F. Pinglot, C. H. Reijmer, M. Stenberg, M. Thomassen, R. S. W. van de Wal, C. Veen, F. Wilhelms, and J. G. Winther, "Spatial gradients in snow layering and 10m temperatures at two EPICA-Dronning Maud Land (Antarctica) pre-site-survey drill sites," Ann. Glaciol., Vol. 30, 13-19, 2000.
doi:10.3189/172756400781820796        Google Scholar

37. Winebrenner, D. P., R. J. Arthern, and C. A. Shuman, "Mapping Greenland accumulation rates using observations of thermal emission at 4.5-cm wavelength," J. Geophys. Res., Vol. 106, No. D24, 33919-33924, 2001.
doi:10.1029/2001JD900235        Google Scholar

38. Schlosser, E. and H. Oerter, "Shallow firn cores from Neumayer, Ekstromisen, Antarctica: A comparison of accumulation rates and stable-isotope rations," Ann. Glaciol., Vol. 35, 91-96, 2002.
doi:10.3189/172756402781816915        Google Scholar

39. Quin, D. and N. W. Young, "Characteristics of the initial densification of snow/firn in Wilks land, east Antarctica," Ann. Glaciol., Vol. 11, 209, 1988.        Google Scholar

40. Li, J. and J. Zwally, "Modeling the density variation in the shallow firn layer," Ann. Glaciol., Vol. 38, 309-313, 2004.
doi:10.3189/172756404781814988        Google Scholar

41. Fahnestock, M., R. Bindschadler, R. Kwok, and K. Jezek, "Greenland ice sheet surface properties and ice dynamics from ERS-1 SAR imagery," Science, Vol. 262, No. 5139, 1530-1534, 1993.
doi:10.1126/science.262.5139.1530        Google Scholar

42. Bromwich, D. H., R. I. Cullather, and Q. Chen, "Evaluation of recent precipitation studies for the Greenland ice sheet," J. Geophys. Res., Vol. 108, No. D20, 26007-26024, 1998.
doi:10.1029/98JD02278        Google Scholar