Arctic sea ice climate system parameters as observed by synthetic aperture radar

As part of the ARCTIC-91 expedition August - October 1991 the first field expedition to the high Arctic took place with simultaneous coverage by satellite SAR. The aim was to study ice properties of importance for climate aspects. During the advanced melt period the ice concentration and melt pond concentration are important quantities and during the early freeze up the variability of the sea ice signatures and the new ice formation are of high interest. This paper will give the general background and results based on ARCTIC-91. In particular the possibilities to use SAR to study effects due to melt ponding will be considered.