DR. DON PEROVICH
CRREL

Dr. Perovich is a research geophysicist who is interested in the interaction
of solar radiation with sea ice. The interaction of solar radiation with sea
ice is intimately interrelated with sea ice optical properties, thermodynamics, physical properties, sea ice ecology, and radiative transfer theory. As solar radiation dominates the summer melt cycle of sea ice, the optical properties work leads directly into studies of the mass balance of the ice cover. Of special interest is the partitioning of the solar energy between reflection, absorption, and transmission. Dr. Perovich has been pursuing these issues through a combination of laboratory studies, field experiments, and theoretical models.
 

What will the expedition attempt to do?

As summer moves in, the expedition will make observations on surface conditions of the ice cover.  Of particular interest is to estimate the fraction of the surface  covered by leads, melt ponds, and ice. This will help to improve the understanding of the albedo of the ice cover.

This information is also important for comparison with satellite observations.  Early in the expedition the ice will be snow-covered and observations of snow depth and state can be made. Later melt ponds can be characterized by measuring their depth, width, and colour.