Salinity Variations in Sea Ice
Abstract
The salinity distribution in multiyear sea ice is dependent on the ice topography and cannot be adequately represented by a single average profile. The cores collected from areas beneath surface hummocks generally showed a systematic increase in salinity with depth. The cores collected from areas beneath surface depressions were much more saline and displayed large salinity fluctuations. Salinity observations from sea ice of varying thicknesses and ages collected at various arctic and subarctic locations revealed a strong correlation between the average salinity of the ice and the ice thickness. An annual cyclic variation of the mean salinity probably exists for multiyear sea ice. The mean salinity should reach a maximum at the end of the growth season and a minimum at the end of the melt season.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1973
- Accession Number
- AD0768170
Entities
People
- Gordon F. Cox
- Wilford F. Weeks
Organizations
- Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory