Temperature and salinity profiles of the water column during platelet ice formation and analysis of the structure and isotopic content of platelet ice

There are many details about the formation of platelet ice which are unknown and the study focused on investigating the conditions of the water column when this sea ice type appears. The temperature and salinity close (35 to 60cm) to the ice water interface was measured on four occasions near Arrival Heights, the Dellbridge Islands and near Cape Evans.

The structure of the ice and isotopic content was analysed. Conductivity temperature (CT) measurements were made near the ice-water interface, conductivity temperature depth (CTD) were made in deep water and flow measurements were made at Cape Evans, Tent Island and Hut Point. Ice cores and water samples were also taken at the three sites during October.