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The Rad-ICE Research Group focuses on exploring how remote sensing can be utilized to retrieve qualitative and quantitative properties of the cryosphere. Currently our research spans across various technologies, from interferometry to polarimetric decomposition, for which we use a variety of instruments including airborne and spaceborne sensors.
Current Research projects
Current Research projects
Funded by: Canadian Space Agency (CSA)
Ice Thickness Through Interferometry
Ice Thickness Through Interferometry
Funded by: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
Abstract: Lake ice is a significant aspect of the physical landscape at northern latitudes and plays a crucial role in regulating weather, climate, and supporting various socio-economic aspects. The sensitivity of lake ice development to air temperature makes it an effective indicator of climate change. This phenomenon not only impacts regional weather patterns but also contributes to global environmental shifts. It is important to closely observe variations in lake ice to gain insight into the potential impact that lakes might have on regional weather patterns and environmental conditions. This study focuses on monitoring lake ice dynamics using RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM) compact polarimetric data, employing a combination of the first difference method and compact polarimetric (CP) parameter analysis. The research centers on three Canadian sub-Arctic lakes, with a primary focus on Kluane Lake, and examines phenological transitions through changes in backscatter intensity and CP parameters such as Degree of Polarization (DoP), Circular Polarization Ratio (CPR), Relative Phase, and Alpha Angle. The results reveal that freeze-onset and melt-onset events, mapped using the first difference method, align well with validation data from Landsat thermal imagery and meteorological records, highlighting the reliability of RCM data. Additionally, CP parameter analysis provides deeper insights into ice surface and subsurface conditions. DoP and CPR captured variations in surface roughness, while Relative Phase and Alpha Angle distinguished subsurface scattering and ice-water transitions. Mid-winter stability, reflected by minimal variability in CP values across parameters, emerged as the most consistent pattern, signifying coherent solid or snow-covered ice surface. The results highlight the capacity of RCM data to capture key phenological events, demonstrating strong consistency with optical and thermal data sources. However, the research also identifies limitations related to the temporal resolution of RCM data.
Figure 1a: Spatial distribution of melt-onset dates for Landing Lake and Ryan Lake, determined pixel by pixel using the first difference method during spring 2023. The north arrow represents the true north.
Abstract: Lake ice, a critical component of the cryosphere, plays an essential role in climate regulation, freshwater availability, and the socio-economic stability of northern communities. Despite its importance, the interaction between lake ice and microwave signals remains insufficiently understood, particularly regarding how average lake depth influences microwave backscatter behavior. This study systematically analyzed fully polarimetric C-band, X-band, and L-band SAR data across multiple sites to determine the dominant scattering mechanisms driving lake ice backscatter. The findings demonstrate that single-bounce scattering is the predominant mechanism across all studied sites, irrespective of lake depth and wavelength, aligning with recent research that challenges traditional assumptions about the role of tubular bubbles in backscatter enhancement. These results have refined our understanding of SAR-based lake ice backscatter, paving the wave for more tangible microwave-based lake ice monitoring techniques. By advancing knowledge of microwave-ice interactions, this research enhances remote sensing applications for cryospheric studies and provides critical insights into lake ice dynamics under changing climatic conditions.
Figure 2a: Location of Old Crow Lake in the Old Crow Flats, Yukon. Lakes Highlighted were examined in study
Figure 2b: Old Crow, RADARSAT 2 Standard Quad-Pol Beam mode 16, relative power
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