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Comparing methods of measuring sea-ice density in the East Antarctic

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-18, 06:51 authored by Hutchings, JK, Petra HeilPetra Heil, Lecomte, O, Stevens, R, A Steer, Jan LieserJan Lieser
Remotely sensed derivation of sea-ice thickness requires sea-ice density. Sea-ice density was estimated with three techniques during the second Sea Ice Physics and Ecosystem eXperiment (SIPEX-II, September–November 2012, East Antarctica). The sea ice was first-year highly deformed, mean thickness 1.2m with layers, consistent with rafting, and 6–7/10 columnar ice and 3/10 granular ice. Ice density was found to be lower than values (900–920 kgm–3 used previously to derive ice thickness, with columnar ice mean density of 870 kgm–3. At two different ice stations the mean density of the ice was 870 and 800 kgm–3, the lower density reflecting a high percentage of porous granular ice at the second station. Error estimates for mass/volume and liquid/solid water methods are presented. With 0.1m long, 0.1m core samples, the error on individual density estimates is 28 kgm–3. Errors are larger for smaller machined blocks. Errors increase to 46 kgm–3 if the liquid/solid volume method is used. The mass/volume method has a low bias due to brine drainage of at least 5%. Bulk densities estimated from ice and snow measurements along 100m transects were high, and likely unrealistic as the assumption of isostatic balance is not suitable over these length scales in deformed ice.

History

Publication title

Annals of Glaciology

Volume

56

Issue

69

Pagination

77-82

ISSN

0260-3055

Department/School

Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies

Publisher

International Glaciological Society

Place of publication

Cambridge, England

Rights statement

Copyright 2015 American Institute of Biological Sciences

Repository Status

  • Restricted

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Expanding knowledge in the earth sciences

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