Ice thickness transect data from ARSV Laurence M. Gould LMG0106, LMG0205 in the Southern Ocean from 2001-2002 (SOGLOBEC project, Sea Ice Microbes project, Crabeater Seal Foraging project) (NCEI Accession 0277432)

Acquisition Description:
Ice floes were accessed from the LMG throughout the cruise for snow and ice studies that entailed ice and snow thickness transects, snow collections, ice core collections and brine collections. In addition CTD deployments and measures of bacterial and algal production were undertaken while on these long term ice stations. Thickness transects and snow pits were accomplished in conjunction with OG-241.

At the ice stations we measured ice thickness transects 20 m to 100 m in length. These transects were often located in an area under which the divers (BG-244) would be working. Along these transect lines we measured snow depth, slush depth (if present), depth ofthe wicked layer (the layer of snow above the slush layer which has absorbed moisture), ice thickness, freeboard (the distance from sea level to the ice surface), and ice surface temperature.

When time and ice conditions permitted, surveys of snow depth and ice thickness were conducted along 20 to 100-m-long lines. These survey lines were laid out on the ice and snow depth, freeboard, and ice thickness were measured every meter along the line. This was a team effort with individual people working a 1 m auger, a 2 m auger, snow pits, and an ice thickness tape. Ice cores were also taken to provide a detailed look at ice properties and structure. These surveys were conducted at 10 sites in 2001 and are summarized in the 2001 table. Surveys were conducted at 12 sites in 2002 and are summarized in the 2002 table.

Summary of 2001 survey sites Summary of 2002 survey sites
Robert Site 1
TR1 Site 6
TR2 Site 9-1
TR3 Site 9-2
TR4 Site 21-1
TR5 Site 21-2
TR10 Site 24-1
Billy Site 24-2
Fernando Site 29
Yoga Site 30
Site 31-1
Site 31-2