A network model for characterizing brine channels in sea ice

• Published in: The Cryosphere
• Main Authors: R. M. Lieblappen, D. D. Kumar, S. D. Pauls, R. W. Obbard
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Copernicus Publications 2018
• Subjects: Environmental sciences; GE1-350; Geology; QE1-996.5; Sea ice; The Cryosphere
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-1013-2018; https://doaj.org/article/63ce82f3e7f94990ab61c62e222fdaf0

The brine pore space in sea ice can form complex connected structures whose geometry is critical in the governance of important physical transport processes between the ocean, sea ice, and surface. Recent advances in three-dimensional imaging using X-ray micro-computed tomography have enabled the visualization and quantification of the brine network morphology and variability. Using imaging of first-year sea ice samples at in situ temperatures, we create a new mathematical network model to characterize the topology and connectivity of the brine channels. This model provides a statistical framework where we can characterize the pore networks via two parameters, depth and temperature, for use in dynamical sea ice models. Our approach advances the quantification of brine connectivity in sea ice, which can help investigations of bulk physical properties, such as fluid permeability, that are key in both global and regional sea ice models.