Weddell Sea Ice Freeboard Estimates From ASCAT Backscatter

Weddell Sea data provides a time series of sea ice freeboard proxy estimations derived from ASCAT C-band backscatter measurements. The dataset includes both unmasked and masked versions for multiyear and marginal ice, as developed by Nicola Ramm at the University of Tasmania. Data files were last updated in 2017.

Use Cases

• Analyze temporal trends in sea ice freeboard proxy using the time-series dimension across the Weddell Sea grid.
• Compare unmasked and masked dataset versions to study the influence of multiyear and marginal ice on backscatter-derived estimates.
• Validate sea ice models by correlating backscatter-derived freeboard with other satellite or in-situ measurements.
• Map spatial patterns of sea ice freeboard across the 632*664 pixel polar stereographic grid covering the Weddell Sea region.

Strengths

• Provides two distinct data products: unmasked and masked for multiyear/marginal ice, enabling comparative analysis.
• Each data file contains a detailed 632*664 pixel grid using a standardized polar stereographic projection.
• Data values are stored as 32-bit floating point numbers, preserving precision for scientific calculations.

Limitations

• Temporal coverage and update frequency are unspecified; the last known update was in 2017, indicating potential staleness.
• Dataset size, row count, and specific time range are unknown, hindering assessment of scope for time-series analysis.
• File format is unformatted binary, requiring specialized tools or libraries for data access and interpretation.

Provenance

Source

Australian Antarctic Data Centre (AU_AADC), sourced from NASA Earthdata.

Collection Method

Derived from ASCAT C-band backscatter measurements using methods detailed in a University of Tasmania honours thesis by Nicola Ramm.

Time Range

null

Freshness

Last updated in 2017; update frequency is null.

Geography

Weddell Sea region, using a polar stereographic grid (details at NSIDC).