Method study : Grain size sampling and digital object oriented image analysis for explanation of snow grain size, shape and distribution

• We have developed a digital image processing method for snow particle size and shape analysis suitable for quick and reliable analysis in the eld. Snow particle size is an important parameter strongly aecting snow cover albedo from seasonally snow covered areas and ice sheets. It is also important in remote sensing analysis because it influences the reflectance and scattering properties of the snow. Alternatively traditional methods based on visual inspection of samples can be used but they do not yield quantitative data. Our method provides an additional alternative to both simpler and more complex methods by providinga tool that limits the subjective eect of the visual analysis and provides a quantitativeparticle size distribution. The method involves image analysis software and field efficient instrumentation in order to develop a complete process-chain easily implemented under field conditions. The results from the analysis are a two dimensional analysis of particle size, shape and distributions for each sample. The developed method improves snow particle analysis being quantitative, reproducible and applicable for dierent types of eld sites.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Geovetenskap och miljövetenskap -- Naturgeografi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Earth and Related Environmental Sciences -- Physical Geography (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Methods

snow

particle size

object oriented

image analysis

Physical Geography

naturgeografi

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)