The physical properties of sea ice in the Odden ice tongue

The Odden ice tongue developed prominently during the winter of 1992–1993, but did not appear at all during the two subsequent winters of the ESOP period. During 1992–1993 the in situ sea-ice characteristics within Odden were studied on four occasions. In addition to direct observation and aerial photography, the measurement programme included retrieval and on-board analysis of frazil- and pancake-ice samples; wave measurements within Odden; and near-surface CTD measurements to examine the effect of melt on the upper ocean (reported in Brandon and Wadhams, 1999. The near surface hydrography beneath the Odden ice tongue, Deep-Sea Research, in press). This paper reports on the characteristics of the frazil- and pancake-ice observed and sampled during this season, expanding on early results (reported in Wadhams et al., 1996 Journal of Geographical Research 101(C8), 18 213–18 235). By combining the results of in situ sampling with the analysis of passive microwave and SAR data of the sea-ice extent through the winter, it was possible to estimate the salt flux into the ocean originating from brine release from sea ice during the growth phases of Odden.