Spatiotemporal Variation Analysis of Ice-Edge Eddies in the Fram Strait Based on Sequential SAR Images

The spatiotemporal dynamics of eddy formation, movement, and decay in marginal ice zones are pivotal to understanding oceanographic processes. While existing studies largely focus on identifying eddy locations and quantifying their distribution using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images, there is limited research on the spatiotemporal variations of ice-edge eddies. This study examines an ice-edge eddy with a lifespan of approximately 22 d in the Fram Strait’s marginal ice zone using sequential SAR imagery. To analyze the eddy’s development and evolution throughout its lifecycle, we propose a dynamical parameter inversion method for ice-edge eddies based on time-series SAR data, which includes retrieving the horizontal current field through sea ice motion tracking and applying a hydrodynamic model to compute the eddy’s dynamical parameters. This method enables a detailed analysis of the spatiotemporal variations in the eddy’s structure and intensity throughout its lifecycle. The results provide novel insights into the lifecycle characteristics of ice-edge eddies and their environmental interactions.