Properties:
Melt ponds
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Properties:
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| Measurements of
melt pond properties were made at several sites during the experiment.
The depth of the pond water and the thickness of the underlying ice were
measured. Later in the cruise the thickness of the frozen surface layer
and the snow depth were also recorded. Pond depths averaged 30 cm
ranging from 16 to 51 cm. The average thickness of the underlying ice
was 90 cm, with a range from 40 to 213 cm. After Site 4 the ponds
typically had a frozen surface layer. It was possible to walk on some of
the ponds by Site 7 and possible to confidently walk on the ponds by
Site 17. By Site 27 the layer was 40 cm thick. Ponds came in all sizes, shapes, and patterns. Many of the ponds had overhanging shelves around the perimeter as shown in the figure to the right. Ponds were typically at the salinity determined freezing point of the water. Salinities ranged from 2 to 29 psu depending on whether the ponds were connected either horizontally or vertically to the ocean. The table below summarizing melt pond measurements made at different sites during the cruise. |
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