The microstructural location of impurities in ice

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Physics
• Main Authors: Baker, I, Cullen, D, Iliescu, D
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 2003
• Subjects: General Physics and Astronomy; Greenland; Vostok Station; Antarc*; Antarctica
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/p03-030; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/p03-030

The microstructural locations of impurities in natural ice have been of interest for over a century, but only in recent years have efforts been made to determine their location. Here, we outline the few measurements that have been performed. The focus is on a technique that we developed, which has also been subsequently used by others, that involves the controlled sublimation of uncoated ice in a low-vacuum scanning electron microscope. This process leaves behind concentrated impurities, in both the grain boundaries and the grain interiors, which are then identified using energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis. An overview of observations on meteoric ice from both Greenland and Antarctica; on accretion ice from Vostok Station, Antarctica; and on temperate pond and river ice is presented. PACS No.: 61.72-y