Methods of parameters estimate of ice formations

Abstract

The ice cover of the Arctic Seas is an important component of the natural conditions. It is impossible the construction and safe exploitation of the hydrotechnical structures and lines of communications on the shelf, reasonable planning and conducting of cargo and transport operations, organization of environmental protection measures without taking into account an ice cover.

The information on morphometric and dynamic characteristics of ice formations, physical and mechanical ice properties, presence of icebergs and its bergy bits with various mortphometric and dynamic characteristics in the water area are necessary for an organization of successful activity on the shelf (design of hydrotechnical structures, planning of the work etc).

The present article is concerned with the issues of estimation of ice formations morphometric parameters. The different remote observations methods on ice floes and icebergs are considered in the article: aerial survey, radar survey, observations using ice radar and geodetic instruments, visual observations, sonar survey of ice cover.

The goal of the work is the description of peculiarities of various remote methods of observations. For each of the considered methods, the conditions of its application and peculiarities of data obtainment are considered; the list of morphometric parameters, that can be estimated, using results of corresponding observations is indicated.

The mentioned algorithms and formulas are actively used during ice surveying works at the present time. The knowledge of various methods peculiarities allows to plan the composition of research works depending on their goals and tasks, determine the terms of their performance.

The main merits and demerits of the considered methods of data obtainment and estimations of ice formations morphometrical parameters are phrased in the conclusion.