Detection and mapping of supraglacial lakes on East Antarctic margin using Landsat 8 OLI during 2014–2023

Abstract

Using an optical band index generated from Landsat 8 OLI data, an inventory of Antarctic supraglacial lakes (size >0.01 km2) during 2014–2023 is presented. Shaded snow, cloud and rock shadow were removed by using a band-based filter. Over the north Antarctica, we identified 639 lakes covering an area of 520.79 km2, 1025 lakes covering 272.82 km2 over the East Antarctica, and 1045 lakes covering 93 km2 over south Antarctica. The influence of air temperature, 10-m zonal/meridional wind components and climate indices on surface melt were investigated. Over the north Antarctica, air temperature promoted melt, while Föhn and katabatic winds warmed adiabatically along the leeward side of the elevated features and initiated melt in south Antarctica. Nearly all areas have exhibited a decrease in melt over the past few years, and the number of melt cases dropped after 2020. Negative SAM index favoured melt over the north Antarctica. This study identified new SGLs, which will be a benchmark for further studies. The undulating terrain posed a difficulty for collecting and interpreting satellite data, which should be addressed using advanced technologies and algorithms.