An understanding of the physical properties of sea ice and their variability is critical both to interpret observations of the optical properties and to develop models of radiative transfer. Sea ice has an intricate structure consisting of platelets of fresh ice with inclusions of brine and air. The total volume and the distribution of these inclusions strongly affect the optical properties. The physical properties of the ice are highly dependent on the growth conditions and the seasonal evolution of the ice. Consequently, the state and structure of the ice exhibit large spatial and temporal variability. For example, the crystal texture can be granular or columnar, while crystal sizes can vary from millimeters to a few centimeters. Observed brine volumes can vary from 0% in the surface layer of multi-year ice to as much as 50% in the skeletal layer at the bottom of a growing ice sheet. Densities show a similar variability ranging from 0.60 to 0.92 g/cm³. Because of this variability there is a need to use the large body of ice property observations to develop ice properties models, either of an empirical or physical nature.

Date Published: 31 December 1992
PDF: 12 pages
Proc. SPIE 1750, Ocean Optics XI, (31 December 1992); doi: 10.1117/12.140677

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 1750:
Ocean Optics XI
Gary D. Gilbert, Editor(s)