Monitoring spring ice breakup in hte outer mackenzie delta with RADARSAT-1

摘要

We examined the use of RADARSAT-1 Wide 2 data for the monitoring of the annual spring breakup of channel ice in the Mackenzie River's outer delta.the seasonal evolution of the ice backscatter was characterized and linked to the seasonal evolution of the ice volume.We found strong contrasts in backscatter between the shallow ground-fast marginal channel ice and hte floating sub-channel ice.Diurnal effects on the physical state of the snow and ice volume can influence backscatter and complicate interpretation.Ratioed Wide 2 images were useful in identifying flooded.and drained delta areas.