Study on Thin Sea Ice Thickness using Passive Microwave Brightness Temperature

The use of passive microwave data for estimating sea-ice thickness is limited by strong dependence of emissivity on near-surface brine. However, this particular characteristic becomes a basis for an algorithm to estimate thickness of thin sea-ice if a thickness-salinity-emissivity relationship is established. This study aims at developing an algorithm to estimate sea ice thickness on the basis of this relationship. In order to establish a thickness-salinity-emissivity relationship, we have conducted multi-platform synchronous observations in the Sea of Okhotsk. We note a positive relationship between thickness and brightness temperature. From observations, we also establish an empirical relationship between salinity and emissivity, thus between thickness and brightness temperature. The derived relationship is qualitatively similar to the one based on Hoekstra and Cappillino's formulation. Our results suggest that for thin sea-ice in the winter period there is potential to develop an algorithm to estimate sea-ice thickness.