Theoretical estimates of light reflection and transmission by spatially complex and temporally varying sea ice covers
- Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Lab., Hanover, NH (United States)
The reflection, absorption, and transmission of light at visible and near-infrared wavelengths by snow and ice covers is important for a number of geophysical problems. The focus of this paper is on the reflection and transmission of light by spatially inhomogeneous and temporally varying sea ice covers. This is investigated using a two-stream, multilayer radiative transfer model in the wavelength region from 400 to 1,000 nm. The model is computationally simple and utilizes the available experimental data on the optical properties of sea ice. The ice cover is characterized as a layered medium composed of selections from nine distinct snow and ice types. Three case studies are presented illustrating values of spectral albedo, transmittance, and transmitted photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) for (1) a spatially inhomogeneous ice cover, (2) a uniform ice cover as it undergoes a melt cycle, and (3) a temporally changing spatially variable ice cover. Results indicate that small-scale horizontal variations in snow depth and ice thickness can cause light transmission to change over 3 orders of magnitude. Dramatic changes in light reflection and transmission are predicted in the early part of the melt season as the ice cover evolves from an opaque, snow-covered medium to translucent bare or ponded ice.
- OSTI ID:
- 5052398
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States), Vol. 95:C6; ISSN 0148-0227
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
ICE
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
SORPTIVE PROPERTIES
ABSORPTION
ALBEDO
DEPTH
LIGHT TRANSMISSION
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MELTING
NEAR INFRARED RADIATION
REFLECTIVITY
REMOTE SENSING
SEAS
SNOW
THICKNESS
VISIBLE RADIATION
WAVELENGTHS
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
DIMENSIONS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
INFRARED RADIATION
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RADIATIONS
SURFACE PROPERTIES
SURFACE WATERS
540310* - Environment
Aquatic- Basic Studies- (1990-)
540210 - Environment
Terrestrial- Basic Studies- (1990-)