Imaged brine inclusions in young sea ice—Shape, distribution and formation timing
Liquid inclusions in sea ice are variable and dependent on the myriad of physical conditions of the atmosphere– sea ice environment in which the sea ice was grown, and whether or not melting processes affected the sea ice. In that light, there exist relatively few observations and resultant quantifi...
| Published in: | Cold Regions Science and Technology |
|---|---|
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2015
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://pure.au.dk/portal/da/publications/imaged-brine-inclusions-in-young-sea-iceshape-distribution-and-formation-timing(778b9fd1-1e31-4c81-886a-736339f98a1b).html https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coldregions.2014.12.011 https://pure.au.dk/ws/files/84136596/Galley_et_al_2015_MRI.pdf |
| Summary: | Liquid inclusions in sea ice are variable and dependent on the myriad of physical conditions of the atmosphere– sea ice environment in which the sea ice was grown, and whether or not melting processes affected the sea ice. In that light, there exist relatively few observations and resultant quantification of the morphology and vertical dis- tribution of brine inclusions in sea ice. Using a magnetic (3.0 T) resonance (MR) imager using constructive inter- ference steady state gradient echo sequence, we show that it is possible to image brine channels and pockets in an 18.5 cm young sea ice core in three-dimensions in only four and a half minutes following core storage at − 20 °C. We present a three-dimensional image of a brine drainage channel feature in a young sea ice core, give the phys- ical context for its formation by presenting the physical conditions of the atmosphere and water/sea ice prior to sea ice growth through the sampling date, and observe its physical characteristics. We illustrate that brine drain- age channels may be established concurrently with ice growth, and indicate the amount and location of vertical and horizontal fluid connectivity in the young sea ice sample in the context of the environment in which it grew. Finally, we show that a vertical brine volume distribution profile can be calculated using MR image data, extend- ing the (non-imaging) nuclear magnetic resonance work of others in this vein. |
|---|