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Data Set ID:
G01169

Sea Ice Melt Pond Data from the Canadian Arctic, Version 1

This data set contains observations of albedo, depth, and physical characteristics of melt ponds on sea ice, taken during the summer of 1994. The melt ponds studied were located just south of Cornwallis Island in the Barrow Strait, Nunavat, Canada. The reflectance spectra were acquired with a portable spectrometer. Cloud conditions and ice type were recorded as well.

Geographic Coverage

Parameter(s):
  • Snow/Ice > Albedo
  • Sea Ice > Ice Depth/Thickness
  • Sea Ice > Melt Pond Depth
Spatial Coverage:

  • N: 75, S: 73, E: -95, W: -98
Spatial Resolution:
  • Varies
Temporal Coverage:
  • 1 June 1994 to 31 July 1994
Temporal Resolution: 1 day
Data Format(s):
  • ASCII Text
Platform(s) GROUND-BASED OBSERVATIONS
Sensor(s): SPECTROMETERS
Version: V1
Data Contributor(s): Mike Morassutti
Metadata XML: View Metadata Record

Data Citation

As a condition of using these data, you must cite the use of this data set using the following citation. For more information, see our Use and Copyright Web page.

Morassutti, M. 1995. Sea Ice Melt Pond Data from the Canadian Arctic, Version 1. [Indicate subset used]. Boulder, Colorado USA. NSIDC: National Snow and Ice Data Center. doi: https://doi.org/10.7265/N55Q4T1C. [Date Accessed].

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Overview

This data set of melt pond observations from Barrow Strait, Nunavut, Canada, was provided to NSIDC by Mike Morassutti. The extensive measurements were acquired for use in climate studies and sea ice modeling. The reflectance spectra were acquired using a portable spectrometer. All data processing and quality control were completed at the Institute for Space and Terrestrial Science. The data are also in a report by Morassutti and LeDrew (1995). Please see this publication for more information.

Detailed Data Description

The data are stored in an ASCII file containing 22 columns. See sample data below.

Table 1. Column definitions of the ASCII data set
Column Definition Code Used Format
1 Julian Day I3
2 2 Time of measurement (local time) 0001-2400 I4
3 Field of view see table 2 A3
4 Predominant observable cloud type see table 3 A3
5 Degree of obscuration of solar disc see table 4 I1
6 Ice type see table 5 I1
7 Pond depth (m) F5.3
8 Pond bottom texture 0=smooth,1=rough I1
9 Indicates presence of ice layer 0=no,1=yes I1
10 Indicates presence of debris in pond 0=no,1=yes I1
11 Pond color see table 6 I2
12 Broadband albedo (400-1000 nm) F5.3
13 Visible albedo (400-700 nm) F5.3
14 Near-infrared albedo (700-1000 nm) F5.3
15 Band 1 albedo (blue, 400-500 nm) F5.3
16 Band 2 albedo (green, 500-600 nm) F5.3
17 Band 3 albedo (red, 600-700 nm) F5.3
18 Band 4 albedo (near IR, 700-800 nm) F5.3
19 Band 5 albedo (near IR, 800-900 nm) F5.3
20 Band 6 albedo (near IR, 900-1000 nm) F5.3
21 Thickness of ice layer (cm) F3.1
22 Pond number I3

Table 2. Coding scheme used for instrument field of view (FOV)
Code Instrument FOV
CR 180 degrees
B18 18 degrees
B5 5 degrees

Table 3. Coding scheme used for predominant cloud type
Code Cloud Type
AC altocumulus
AS altostratus
CC cirrocumulus
CI cirrus
CLR clear skies
AC altocumulus
FOG foggy conditions
SC stratocumulus
SCA scattered conditions
ST stratus

Table 4. Coding scheme used for degree of obscuration of sun
Code Sun Obscuration
1 Full solar disc is visible
2 Bright sun with some obscuration (resulting from the presence of thin cirrus)
3 Noticeable reduction in solar disc brightness
4 Solar disc is faintly observable
5 Solar disc is totally occluded

Table 5. Coding scheme used for the ice type
Code Ice Type
1 First-year ice
2 Multi-year ice
3 Landfast ice

Table 6. Coding scheme used for pond color
Code Color
1 white
2 white-grey
3 grey-white
4 grey
5 grey-blue
6 blue-grey
7 blue
8 blue-green
9 green-blue
10 green
11 green-brown
12 brown-green
13 brown
14 dark green
15 dark blue
16 dark grey
17 black

The color codes specified were selected to match as closely as possible the color gradations occurring in the visible spectrum.

Sample Data Record

See Table 1 (above) for definitions of each column in the data, below.

147  1310    CR    SC   5   3   0.090   1   0   1   7   0.402   0.619   0.184   0.702   0.682   0.519   0.256   0.198   0.140   0.0   01
147  1340    CR    SC   5   3   0.002   1   0   1   6   0.508   0.640   0.377   0.694   0.674   0.607   0.489   0.375   0.261   0.0   02
148  1931    CR    SC   5   1   0.025   1   0   0   4   0.483   0.673   0.292   0.733   0.712   0.633   0.437   0.296   0.154   0.0   03
148  1943    CR    SC   5   1   0.030   1   0   0   4   0.423   0.593   0.253   0.649   0.630   0.551   0.373   0.260   0.146   0.0   04
148  2004    CR    SC   5   1   0.040   1   0   0   4   0.431   0.556   0.305   0.613   0.595   0.522   0.380   0.314   0.248   0.0   05
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File Size

The data file is 67.4 KB.

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References and Related Publications

M.P. Morassutti and E.F. LeDrew. 1995. Melt Pond Dataset for use in Sea-Ice and Climate Related Studies. Institute for Space and Terrestrial Science, Ontario, Canada, ISTS-EOL-TR95-001.

Related NSIDC Collections

Contacts and Acknowledgments

Mike Morassutti
Earth Observations Laboratory, 
Institute for Space and Terrestrial Science,
and the Department of Geography
University of Waterloo
Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1
Canada

Acknowledgments: 

This data set is maintained at NSIDC with support from the NOAA National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC).

Document Information

Document Authors

NSIDC staff

Document Creation Date

17 April 1996

Document Revision Date

January 2010, A. Windnagel added an NSIDC related data collection to that section.
July 2006, this document was reformatted. F. Fetterer reviewed this document.

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