This book demonstrates the potential of satellite-based optical sensors to detect melt ponds on Arctic sea ice. The authors describe the creation and analysis of the first Arctic-wide, multi-annual melt pond data set, covering the years 2000-2011.

The Arctic sea ice is characterized by profound changes caused by surface melting processes and the formation of melt ponds in summer. Melt ponds contribute to the ice-albedo feedback as they reduce the surface albedo of sea ice, and hence accelerate the decay of Arctic sea ice. To quantify the melting of the entire Arctic sea ice, satellite based observations are necessary. Due to different spectral properties of snow, ice, and water, theoretically, multi-spectral optical sensors are necessary for the analysis of these distinct surface types. This study demonstrates the potential of optical sensors to detect melt ponds on Arctic sea ice. For the first time, an Arctic-wide, multi-annual melt pond data set for the years 2000-2011 has been created and analyzed.

Provides the first Arctic-wide multi-annual data set of melt pond fraction Melt ponds are retrieved from satellite observations Provides the method of calculation of the melt pond fraction from optical satellite data

Inhalt

Introduction.- Physical characteristics of sea ice.- Optical Remote Sensing.- Melt pond determination from Landsat satellite data.- Melt pond determination from MODIS data.- Summary and outlook.- Glossary.