Monte Carlo Study of UAV-Measurable Albedo over Arctic Sea Ice
- Arctic Research and Consulting, San Diego, California
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
- Dartmouth University, Hanover, New Hampshire
In anticipation that unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will have a useful role in atmospheric energy budget studies over sea ice, a Monte Carlo model is used in this study to investigate three-dimensional radiative transfer over a highly inhomogeneous surface albedo involving open water, sea ice, and melt ponds. The model simulates the spatial variability in 550-nm downwelling irradiance and albedo that a UAV would measure above this surface and underneath an optically thick, horizontally homogeneous cloud. At flight altitudes higher than 100 m above the surface, an airborne radiometer will sample irradiances that are greatly smoothed horizontally as a result of photon multiple reflection. If one is interested in sampling the local energy budget contrasts between specific surface types, then the UAV must fly at a low altitude, typically within 20 m of the surface. Spatial upwelling irradiance variability in larger open water features, on the order of 1000 m wide, will remain apparent as high as 500 m above the surface. To fully investigate the impact of surface feature variability on the energy budget of the lower troposphere ice–ocean system, a UAV needs to fly at a variety of altitudes to determine how individual features contribute to the area-average albedo.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of California, San Diego, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC)
- Grant/Contract Number:
- SC0008502
- OSTI ID:
- 1417525
- Alternate ID(s):
- OSTI ID: 1541861
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology, Journal Name: Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology Vol. 35 Journal Issue: 1; ISSN 0739-0572
- Publisher:
- American Meteorological SocietyCopyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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