Morphology and distribution of liquid inclusions in young sea ice as imaged by magnetic resonance

Abstract. In order to determine the morphology and distribution of liquid inclusions in young sea ice, magnetic resonance imaging of an 18 cm sea ice core was done using a Siemens 3T TIM TRIO human scanner. The sample was stored at about −20 °C until the beginning of a constructive interference steady state gradient echo sequence which lasted four and a half min. Here we present the first three-dimensional reconstruction of a brine drainage channel network in young sea ice using magnetic resonance imaging. The magnetic resonance image sequence data presented here clearly illustrate that brine drainage channels are established relatively quickly during ice formation, and indicates the amount and location of vertical and horizontal fluid permeability in young sea ice. A simple analysis of the image sequence reveals that magnetic resonance imaging is useful in describing the vertical profile of liquid fraction that compares well to volumes calculated for similar sea ice temperatures. Future work in this vein may include three-dimensional magnetic resonance scans of sea ice cores at in situ temperatures using different magnetic resonance sequences in order to improve the observation of inclusions, though this will necessitate both access to a scanner and the construction of a cooling system compatible with a magnetic resonance imager.