Application of Satellite Remote Sensing and Image Processing Techniques to Understand the Sea Ice Variability in the Weddell Sea Sector of Antarctica

The spatial and time-based variations of sea ice concentration / cover (SIC) and sea ice extent (SIE) trend were analysed using satellite-derived passive microwave radiometers data over a period of 37-years (1979–2015). In contrast to global warming sea-ice around Antarctica exhibits an expansion whereas in the sector-wise studies it shows increasing and decreasing patterns. In total, SIE of Antarctica exhibits positive yearly trends ($\mathbf{24.9}\pm \mathbf{4.4\ 10}^{\mathbf{3}}\mathbf{km}^{\mathbf{2}}\ \mathrm{year}^{-1};\ \mathbf{2.1}\pm \mathbf{0.4}\ \%\mathrm{decade}^{-1}$). The Weddell sea sector shows an increase in SIE trend $(\mathbf{5.2}\pm \mathbf{1.8\ 10}^{\mathbf{3}}\mathbf{km}^{\mathbf{2}}\ \mathrm{year}^{-1};\ \mathbf{2.6}\pm \mathbf{0.9}\ \%\mathbf{decade}^{\mathbf{-1}})$, attributed to atmosphere and ocean sea ice interactions such as air temperature, pressure, ocean currents and wind components. The seasonal trends of this sector show both positive and negative trends controlled by the thermodynamic effect of winds. Significant positive trends were observed in the summer $\mathbf{(20.4}\pm \mathbf{5.4\ 10}^{\mathbf{3}}\mathbf{km}^{\mathbf{2}}\mathbf{year}^\mathbf{{-1}})$ and the spring $\mathbf{(1.9}\pm \mathbf{5.3\ 10}^{\mathbf{3}}\mathbf{km}^{\mathbf{2}}\ \mathrm{year}^{-1}$) seasons. In contrast, negative trends were observed in the autumn $\mathbf{(-12.4}\pm \mathbf{9.5\ 10}^{\mathbf{3}}\mathbf{km}^{\mathbf{2}}\mathbf{year}^{\mathbf{-1}})$ and the winter $\mathbf{(-2.5}\pm \mathbf{4.9\ 10}^{\mathbf{3}}\mathbf{km}^{\mathbf{2}}\ \mathrm{year}^{-1}$) seasons. Remote forcing's such as El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Southern Annular Mode (SAM), Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) and temperature indices contribute to the increase of sea ice by producing variabilities in the wind fields. The study demonstrates the application of satellite remote sensing techniques to understand the sea ice variabilities and dynamics of southern hemisphere using high resolution physical and climatic forcing's.