On the Role of Multi-Polarization Sar Information in Observing the Terra Nova Bay Polynya

In this study, co- and cross-polarised backscattering signatures over the Terra Nova Bay (Antarctica) coastal polynya imaged by the C-band synthetic aperture radar are discussed. The Terra Nova Bay polynya is of the most important seasonal melting/freezing processes that characterize polar regions by severely impacting ocean circulation and sea ice mass balance. A set of dual-polarimetric synthetic aperture radar measurements collected at C-band over the Terra Nova Bay polynya under different opening and closing conditions are analyzed with the support of ice surface temperature information obtained from optical satellite images. Numerical simulations of backscattering coefficients are also provided according to the improved integral equation method surface scattering model to interpret polynya signatures with and without ice streaks.Experimental results show the potential of dual-polarimetric backscatter coefficients to identify the polynya and its actual conditions and to provide information on its temporal trend even when a single synthetic aperture radar image is available.