Continuous reflectance characterization of snowed surfaces in Ny Ålesund

In polar regions the multitemporal analysis of the snow variability may provide data useful to monitor Earth's climate changes. Radiometric data acquired by multispectral satellite images in the wavelengths range 450-2500nm can support this studies, because of the link between the reflectance and physical characteristics of snow in this range. In the visible and near infrared wavelengths, the optical proprieties of the snow are related to grain size and shape, to ice absorption coefficient and to the presence of impurities, such as black carbon and dust. The continuous monitor of the cryosphere represents a critical issue. The aim of this work is to present the field activity carried out in Ny Alesund (Svalbard islands, Norway) where different apparatus were set up in order to solve the problems associated to the continuous monitoring of snow/ice surfaces in polar regions.