ABSTRACT

DMSP infrared (IR) and SSM/I (microwave) satellite data were obtained for the period of mid-October to 30 November 1994 and reviewed in detail on a daily basis to document freeze-up and ice movement in the Kara Sea. A particular effort was made to determine the possibility of the movement of radio nuclide-contaminated ice from the Ob and Yenesey rivers out of the Kara Sea through surrounding strait exits into the Barents, Laptev or Arctic Ocean regions. Preliminary evidence indicated the potential of such transport through VIl'kitskogo Strait into the Laptev Sea and in another route, over the northern tip of Novaya Zemlya, southwestward into the Barents Sea.

INTRODUCTION

The objective of this research was to document with high resolution NOAA and DMSP satellite data, the growth, movement and characteristics of ice during the Kara Sea fall 1994 freeze-up period (15 Oct – 15 Nov). The research was conducted as part of an Office of Naval Research (ONR) project to determine the fate of radionuclides dispersed into the Kara Sea, and possible spread of such nuclear pollution out of the region by incorporation into mobile sea ice.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM

One of the key questions regarding the spread of radio nuclides out of the Arctic as a result of contaminated river runoff is whether or not ice movement can be detected, exiting the region through adjoining straits. Details of sea current flow and ice movement in this region are not well-established nor has the variability of such movement been documented. The Ob and Yenesey rivers are located near some of the largest radioactive waste disposal sites in the world; Tomsk, near the Ob River, and Krasnoyarsk, on the Yenesey River. According to a report released by the Russian Federation (Yablokov, 1993) up to three billion curies of radioactive material are involved.

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