Global S&T Development Trend Analysis Platform of Resources and Environment
OBSERVER: Navigating through sea ice in Greenland: how does Copernicus data help? | |
admin | |
2020-01-30 | |
发布年 | 2020 |
语种 | 英语 |
国家 | 欧洲 |
领域 | 气候变化 |
正文(英文) | OBSERVER: Navigating through sea ice in Greenland: how does Copernicus data help?
Greenland, the largest non-continental island, is dependent on ships for goods, transportation and various other economic activities. However, it is also surrounded by ice. Ships therefore rely on ice-mapping services to ensure efficient and safe operations. The Danish Meteorological Institute (DMI) provides reliable and regular ice mapping services based on satellite data, including Sentinel-1 and 2, to help navigate through the icy waters that surround Greenland year round. Before looking at how DMI’s Ice-Mapping Service uses Sentinel data and what benefits the improved ice mapping service provide to society, let’s have a look at the crucial role that DMI plays within the Copernicus Ecosystem. The Danish Meteorological Institute and the Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring ServiceThe Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Service (CMEMS) relies on a network of European marine data producers that provide state-of-the-art scientific knowledge in order to build a portfoilio of ocean data products. Data producers are divided into two categories: the Thematic Data Assembly Centres (TAC) and the Monitoring and Forecasting Centres (MFC). Thematic Data Assembly Centres (TAC) process data acquired from satellite ground segments and in-situ platforms, as well as satellite and in-situ observations, into real-time (today) and reprocessed (20 years historic) products. There are 8 TACs and DMI leads the Sea Ice TAC consortium, which provides sea ice data for ocean modelling to be used in data assimilation and for validation. The Sea Ice TAC is also linked to the National Ice Services in Denmark, Norway and Finland to facilitate the uptake of regional high-resolution ice charts of the European Arctic. Indeed, the “Ice Services” are primary users of Sentinel-1 SAR data. Another one of the Sea Ice TAC’s roles is to facilitate the use of ice charts in support of numerical ocean forecasting and reanalysis, and to further exploit the large amount of Sentinel-1 SAR data available. More information on the Sea Ice TAC and their work can be found here. Monitoring and Forecasting Centers (MFC), on the other hand, run ocean numerical models assimilating the aforementioned TAC data to generate reanalysis (20 years in the past), analysis (today) and 10-day forecasts of the ocean. There are 7 MFCs and DMI coordinates the Baltic MFC, which provides regular and systematic reference information on the physical state and dynamics of the ocean and marine ecosystems for the Baltic Sea. The Baltic MFC provides a series of products including 5-day forecasts of physical and biogeochemical parameters and reanalysis products of the physical and biogeochemical parameters. More information on the Baltic MFC and their work can be found here. From the above, it is clear that the DMI is a key part of CMEMS and of the larger Copernicus ecosystem. But how does the DMI Ice Mapping Service use Sentinel data to help navigation through sea ice in Greenland? How does the DMI Ice-mapping service use Sentinel data?In Greenland, sea ice and icebergs are major hazards that can severely damage ships and vessels transporting people or vital goods. Satellite data are used to avoid these hazards, as well as know which routes are open and when they are, since sea ice can block narrow straits. Using satellites to detect the presence of sea ice can be done through both radar and optical imagery. However, since radar imagery are available under any weather, for regions such as Greenland with heavy cloud coverage, it is more reliable. Optical imagery can also be used when cloudless data is available. Sentinel-1 SAR image vs Sentinel-2 optical image Satellite data provides a wide area, synoptic view, of the ice conditions and can be more efficient than in-situ measurements to obtain a faster view of the overall area of interest. However, latency can be an issue. By the time the image is delivered to users, the sea ice could have changed location. Furthermore, interpreting radar imagery is very technical and requires highly trained and experienced personnel. The Danish Meteorological Institute (DMI)’s Ice-Mapping Service uses Sentinel data to deliver a variety of products with detailed inshore and offshore ice information 2 to 3 times a week, with a focus on South Greenland. Given the large amount of complementary and high-resolution radar satellite imagery that is freely available, Sentinel-1 data are the backbone of the DMI Ice Service. The current Sentinel-1 acquisition cycle provides daily images over Northern Greenland and images every 2 to 3 days over Southern Greenland. If there are any gaps in Sentinel-1 data over the areas of interest, they are filled by imagery from other satellite missions. Sentinel-2 imagery is used when the areas of interest are visible, and Sentinel-3’s OLCI sensor images could become an important source of data. Although they are not currently regularly used by DMI’s Ice Service. Based on Sentinel data and other satellite data, the DMI Ice Service delivers five different products:
Quick-look Sentinel-1 SAR image for Southern Greenland We have seen how Copernicus Sentinel data is truly at the heart of DMI’s ice monitoring services, but who benefits from Copernicus data, and how do they benefit? Social and economic benefits resulting from improved sea-ice navigationWith ice at the centre of Greenland’s economy and way of life, potential economic and social benefits of improved sea ice navigation are substantial. For DMI, switching from in-situ data to 100% satellite-based services has increased efficiency and greatly improved the regularity and quality of the ice information they deliver. This, in turn, has led to the Royal Arctic Line (Greenland’s main sea-transporter of goods) reducing operational costs by improving navigation, as well as reducing exceptional expenses linked to accidents (ice collisions) and incidents (e.g. ships trapped in the ice). Other users of DMI’s ice information include fishing companies, ferries, tourism and cruise liners, oil transportation companies, ice pilots, and the Arctic Command. They have all reduced costs by saving time and fuel, as well as operating more safely. Aside from the above-mentioned primary users, improved ice mapping services also benefit local businesses and the local economy in Greenland. From mining companies and fisheries, to supermarkets and the construction sector, ice mapping services allow these users to operate more effectively, since they all depend on sea transportation (mostly through RAL). Finally, the local population in Greenland clearly benefit hugely from improved and reliable ice mapping services. They enable more efficient and quicker delivery of vital goods, as well as foster economic opportunities and growth. This case study highlights the enormous potential Copernicus Sentinel data have for society and the opportunities that the programme provides for collaboration between the Copernicus Services and European data providers. Many application fields are possible, and citizens from all over the world benefit from the data on a daily basis. More information on the Copernicus programme can be found on the website. This case study is based on research carried out by EARSC, the European Association of Remote Sensing Companies, as part of a 4-year study looking at the social and economic benefits that products based on Sentinel data can generate. If you would like to learn more about this case study, check out the full report and leaflet on EARSC’s website. All other case studies carried out to date can be found here. |
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来源平台 | The Copernicus Programme |
文献类型 | 新闻 |
条目标识符 | http://119.78.100.173/C666/handle/2XK7JSWQ/275976 |
专题 | 气候变化 |
推荐引用方式 GB/T 7714 | admin. OBSERVER: Navigating through sea ice in Greenland: how does Copernicus data help?. 2020. |
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