Articles | Volume 20, issue 3
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-20-1445-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-20-1445-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
05 Mar 2026
Research article |
| 05 Mar 2026
| 05 Mar 2026
A mathematical model of microbially-induced convection in sea ice
Noa Kraitzman
Department of Mathematics, Macquarie University, New South Wales 2109, Australia
Jean-David Grattepanche
Department of Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
Robert Sanders
Department of Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
Isaac Klapper
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Department of Mathematics, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
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Short summary
We propose here that the resident microbial community can influence the structure of sea ice, particularly near the ocean interface, by lowering the local freezing point through production of, effectively, antifreeze compounds. The result is improved environmental conditions for growth and, possibly, changes to heat transport through the ice. A mathematical model together with laboratory measurements are used to illustrate and support the hypothesis.
We propose here that the resident microbial community can influence the structure of sea ice,...
