Abstract
Retrieval of snow density using hybrid polarimetric RISAT-1 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data is implemented in this study. The C-band datasets were acquired in the fine resolution stripmap mode-1 (FRS-1) in which microwaves EM are transmitted in the right circular polarization from the sensor and are received in linear (horizontal or vertical) polarizations resulting in hybrid polarizations-RH and RV. The datasets were acquired for the date of February 23, 2014 covering the Dhundi region in Manali district of Himachal Pradesh. In this season, the area experiences regular snowfall, hence the whole area was covered with the dry snow layer. Hybrid decomposition technique along with the integral equation model (IEM) is utilized for snow density extraction of the snowpack in the study area. The modeled and theoretical approaches are used to retrieve the dielectric constant of the snowpack. Fresnel coefficients, utilized in the IEM modeling approach, are the function of snowpack dielectric constant and the local incidence angle of the incident wave from the sensor. The retrieved snow density map is generated for the area. The validation of the retrieved results is done using ground data collected during the period.
Highlights
S NOW is an important parameter that affects the global climate and is a source of freshwater for rivers originating from mountains
The study has explored the opportunity of utilizing spaceborne hybrid polarimetric datasets of the Indian RISAT-1, sensor for snow parameters retrieval using the hybrid polarimetry technique
The study was able to develop a new methodology for the extraction of snow density using the hybrid polarimetry technique
Summary
S NOW is an important parameter that affects the global climate and is a source of freshwater for rivers originating from mountains. Development of the snow density retrieval technique using physical modeling approaches such as IEM has its own advantage of wider applications irrespective of surrounding parameters [23]. High variations in stratigraphy and topographic conditions in various snow-covered areas across the globe limit the broader applicability of aforementioned empirical and semiempirical snow parameter retrieval models [24]–[26]. This is the first study to use RISAT-1 fine resolution stripmap mode (FRS-1) hybrid polarimetric datasets for the retrieval of the snow density using compact polarimetry These datasets possess the roll invariant properties and the data derived roll invariant parameters can be used for the retrieval of the snow parameters especially in the high terrain region of Himalayas. The retrieved results are validated and the accuracy assessment using the ground campaign datasets from the study area is used for the accuracy assessment
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