Ikaite (CaCO₃•6H₂O) is a mineral that occurs naturally in Arctic and Antarctic sea ice. However, the spatial and temporal dynamics are poorly understood. To improve our understanding of the dynamics of ikaite in sea ice, we are developing a method to quantify ikaite in sea ice using dissolved inorganic concentration (DIC). Ice cores will be collected from SERF and ikaite will be quantified using two different methods: image analysis and DIC analysis. To complete the DIC analysis, ice cores will be melted at 0ºC, the solution will be filtered, and the filtered crystals will be placed in an exetainer filled with deionized water. DIC analysis will be carried out on the filtered crystals to determine ikaite concentration. The results from both techniques will be compared to determine if the DIC method is an effective technique to quantify ikaite in sea ice. The analysis of SERF ice is being completed prior to a field campaign in Station Nord, NE Greenland in April 2015. 

Field site: Sea-ice Environmental Research Facility (SERF), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada

PI: S. Rygaard

Project lead: H.Kyle

Fieldwork summary/photo blog