Author(s): P. J. Langhorne; C. R. Purdie; I. J. Smith; G. H. Leonard; E. W. Kempema; C. Petrich; M. A. Gribble; P. E. Bond; T. G. Haskell
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Keywords: Sea ice; Platelet ice; Ice shelves; McMurdo Sound; Antarctic
Abstract: Platelet ice is the name given to ice crystals that nucleate in the ocean and either grow in the water column, or become attached to and grow at the base of the sea ice cover. Linked to the proximity of ice shelves, platelet ice is known to be associated with supercooled water. Here we re-examine historical surveys of platelet ice in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. From these data, a map of its relative abundance is constructed, resulting in a remarkably consistent pattern from year to year. On the other hand, our estimate of interannual variability in the absolute amount of platelet ice between 1980 and 2002 yields inconclusive results, requiring further work to assess and understand this variability. We estimate that 10% of the total thickness of the landfast sea ice of McMurdo Sound is a result of heat loss to the ocean. Few growth models allow for this contribution.
Year: 2006