Publication Date:
2015-01-09
Description:
Ice-platelet clusters modify the heat and mass balance of sea ice near Antarctic ice shelves
and provide a unique habitat for ice-associated organisms. The amount and distribution of these ice
crystals below the solid sea ice provide insight into melt rates and circulation regimes in the ice-shelf
cavities, which are difficult to observe directly. However, little is known about the circum-Antarctic
volume of the sub-sea-ice platelet layer, because observations have mostly been limited to point
measurements. In this study, we present a new application of multi-frequency electromagnetic (EM)
induction sounding to quantify platelet-layer properties. Combining in situ data with the theoretical
response yields a bulk platelet-layer conductivity of 1154 +/- 271 mSm–1 and ice-volume fractions of
0.29–0.43. Calibration routines and uncertainties are discussed in detail to facilitate future studies. Our
results suggest that multi-frequency EM induction sounding is a promising method to efficiently map
platelet-layer volume on a larger scale than has previously been feasible.
Repository Name:
EPIC Alfred Wegener Institut
Type:
Article
,
isiRev
Format:
application/pdf
