CoReH2O Synergy Study (2009-2011)

Synergy of CoReH2O SAR and Microwave Radiometry data to retrieve snow and ice parameters. ESA Study, Contract 22829/09/NL/JC (2009-2011).

The Cold Regions Hydrology High-Resolution Observatory (CoReH₂O) mission has been selected as one of the candidate Earth Explorer missions for studies of technical and scientific feasibility and consolidation at Phase A level. The CoReH₂O mission aims to close gaps in spatially detailed observations of key parameters of the global snow and ice masses for applications in climate research and hydrology. The proposed technical solution relies on a dual frequency, X- and Ku-band (9.6 and 17.2 GHz), dual-polarized (VV and VH) synthetic aperture radar.

Primary and secondary geophysical observation parameters have been defined. The primary parameters, to be delivered by the mission as Level 2 products, are the extent of snow areas and snow water equivalent (SWE) over land sufaces, and the winter snow accumulation on glaciers.

The goal of the project is to investigate and assess the benefits of combining CoReH₂O data with observations and products derived from space-borne passive microwave radiometers. The project focuses on the mapping of SWE and snow accumulation (including glaciers). An important issue is the consideration of effects and elimination of factors (such as ice covered lakes) that adversely influence the retrieval of snow parameters.

Objectives

• implemention of retrieval methods for the main snow parameters with active and passive microwave data;
• testing the retrieval methods with experimental and simulated data;
• development of strategies to use CoReH₂O data to improve passive retrieval techniques - and vice versa;
• downscaling of passive microwave data;