Gases in Sea Ice: A Factor Bearing on the Transmission of Sound Energy.

• Main Authors: Gosink,Thomas A, Kelley,John J
• Other Authors: ALASKA UNIV COLLEGE INST OF MARINE SCIENCE
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1977
• Subjects: Snow; Ice and Permafrost; *GASES; *SEA ICE; STRESSES; TEMPERATURE; AIR; DYNAMICS; INTERFACES; CARBON MONOXIDE; CARBON DIOXIDE; Barrow; Ice; permafrost; Point Barrow; Sea ice; Alaska
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA056115; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA056115

This research is a continuation of the previous year's work on the migration of gases through sea ice and the transport of gases across the ice-snow-air boundary. Carbon dioxide, and possibly carbon monoxide, were observed to be replenished faster than other non-water interacting gases such as nitrogen, oxygen, neon, and methane in flushed probe holes and at the surface. Large pulses of carbon dioxide were observed and suspected as the result of internal stresses in sea ice. The flux of gases in probe holes was near 2-4 microliter/sq cm/hr, and 1-2 microliter/sq cm/hr at the surface, relatively insignificant for oxygen, but very significant for trace gases such as carbon dioxide. The ocean was observed to be a source of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and methane to the atmosphere by way of the sea ice. Brine content in the ice varies strongly with temperature, and may be the cause of the large variations in the transport of carbon dioxide. A late spring observation of bubbles from rotting sea ice disclosed very high levels of carbon monoxide. Observations of the atmosphere over sea ice (to 78 degrees N) through the summer tends to confirm a continued high atmospheric level of CO2 beyond the time period when it diminishes at Point Barrow, Alaska (71.4 degrees N). Original contains color plates: All DDC reproductions will be in black and white.