Evolution of sea ice optical properties during fall freeze-up

Donald K. Perovich

doi:10.1117/12.21469

1 September 1990 Evolution of sea ice optical properties during fall freeze-up

Donald K. Perovich

Proceedings Volume 1302, Ocean Optics X; (1990) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.21469
Event: 1990 Technical Symposium on Optics, Electro-Optics, and Sensors, 1990, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

During the seasonal transition from summer to winter conditions a profound transformation occurs in a sea ice cover. As air temperatures drop, the ice cools causing a reduction in the brine volume, melt ponds freeze, new ice forms in areas of open water, and the surface becomes snow-covered. There is a corresponding evolution in the optical properties ofthe ice cover with albedos increasing and transmittances decreasing. As part of the drift phase of the Coordinated Eastern Arctic Experiment (CEAREX), spectral albedos and reflectances in the visible and near-infrared (400-1100 rim) were measured during fall freeze-up. Observed albedos are presented for first-year ice, multiyear ice, and new-ice cases. In general, albedos increased as freeze-up progressed, with the increase being most pronounced at shorter wavelengths. There was a sharp increase in albedo associated with the surface becoming snow-covered. The greatest temporal changes occurred in a freezing lead where albedos increased from 0.1 for open water to 0.9 for snow-covered young ice in only a few days. The evolution of the transmitted radiation field under the ice was estimated using a simple two-stream radiative transfer model in conjunction with observations of ice morphology and thickness. Light transmission decreased dramatically due to ice cooling, snowfall, and declining incident solar irradiances.

Citation Download Citation

Donald K. Perovich "Evolution of sea ice optical properties during fall freeze-up", Proc. SPIE 1302, Ocean Optics X, (1 September 1990); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.21469

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