Thin-sectioning of wet snow after flash-freezing

• Published in: Journal of Glaciology
• Main Authors: Brzoska, Jean-Bruno, Coléou, Cécile, Lesaffre, Bernard
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1998
• Subjects: Earth-Surface Processes; Journal of Glaciology
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022143000002343; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022143000002343

Abstract A new method for preparing thin sections of wet snow is described. Samples are flash-frozen to immobilise the liquid water content (LWC). Next, the pore space is filled with ester, and the entire sample is frozen to a solid, sliceable block, Micrographs of slices are obtained using transmitted and specular illumination. The proportion of LWC is measured on the micrographs and compared with LWC measured independently using calorimetry. Section analysis is both facilitated and complicated by small bubbles which form during sample preparation. Flash-freezing and bubble formation are discussed theoretically.