The research activities include satellite remote sensing, ocean acoustics and development of information systems where observational data are integrated with models and disseminated to users. Satellite methods and monitoring systems are developed for sea ice, icebergs and ocean variables such as wind, temperature, currents, fronts, eddies, natural slicks and potential oil spills. Acoustic methods used are ocean acoustic tomography and passive listening of ambient noise with focus on the Fram Strait region. Acoustic tomography is to combine acoustic observations with acoustic and ocean modeling to obtain oceanographic parameters such as temperature and current. Passive acoustic data are used to monitor changes in the environment such as ice break up and increased internal ice stress. Validation of satellite and acoustical observations by in situ data is an important part of the work. Our major goal of the research work is to develop observing systems to support operational oceanography and climate research. A system to provide daily sea ice information from satellites and models is developed under Arctic ROOS and products are disseminated to users free-of-charge (http://arctic-roos.org). Development of operational monitoring and forecasting of the Arctic Ocean is a contribution to GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security). The department develops web-based dissemination systems where users can search, display and download observational data and model results from ocean and coastal areas.

The department has expertise in:

• Analysis and interpretation of multisensor satellite data in polar regions
• Retrieval algorithms for radar, passive microwave, infrared and optical satellite data
• Operational provision of near real time sea ice monitoring from satellite sensors
• Conducting field experiments in the Arctic
• Validation of inversion algorithms based on satellite data and acoustic data using independent in-situ oceanographic, sea-ice observations and acoustic observations.
• Collection, processing, analysis, interpretation of acoustic data and acoustic modelling.
• Synthesis of satellite remote sensing, ocean acoustics and numerical modelling
• Data analysis including image processing and GIS analysis
• Programming and data management
• Standards for web-GIS services and systems, data and metadata
• Web-based data delivery and processing services and information systems