Lab and field work within the sea-ice group
As part of our experiment-based research, we examine the interior structure of sea ice and its interaction with the atmosphere and the ocean.
Our group runs a cold room where the temperature can be freely adjusted down to -25°C. Within that cold room, we have two main experimental tanks: A big tank of about 1500 l capacity is used to study the evolution of sea ice under the impact of simulated wind, waves, currents, and oceanic heat flux. At the moment, we primarily use this tank to examine the formation of sea ice in open water (Ann Kristin Naumann) and the melting of sea ice (Mareike Wiese). In a smaller tank of about 60 l capacity, salt water is in direct contact with a cooling plate that allows for a precise control of the ice's surface temperature.
The group is also actively involved in field experiments. In winter 2009/2010, we carried out a winter long field experiment off the west coast of Greenland. During that experiment, we studied the evolution of thin sea ice throughout the course of one winter (Iris Ehlert).
Much of the group's experimental work relies on unique measurement instruments that allow us to study the evolution of the interior structure of sea ice, for example. Such instruments are actively developed within the group (Leif Riemenschneider).
Individual activities
Stefanie Arndt (Student Assistant)
Stefanie Arndt supports our laboratory work and acts as a lab technician. At the moment, her main task lies in assisting with lab experiments related to the melting of sea ice.
Iris Ehlert (PhD student)
Iris Ehlert focusses on the interaction of sea ice with the ocean and the atmosphere. As part of her PhD, she works towards a better understanding of the role of frost flowers for the evolution of sea ice. In addition, Iris analyzes air-ice-sea interactions on fast time scales and examines the heat exchange between the ocean and sea ice in quiescent conditions.
Leif Riemenschneider (Electronician)
Leif Riemenschneider develops novel instruments for in situ measurements of sea-ice properties. Currently, he is designing and building an instrument that allows us to measure the relative phase fractions of sea ice with unprecedented temporal and spatial resolution.
Mareike Wiese (Master student)
Mareike Wiese carries out lab experiments to better understand the melting of sea ice. She focusses in particular on the relative partitioning of incoming heat towards thinning the ice versus increasing the ice's liquid fraction.
Individual activities (former group members)
René Fontes (Electronician)
René Fontes worked on the development of a new instrument to measure the solid fraction of sea ice in situ. In addition, he logistically supported and joined us for the 2009/2010 Greenland field experiment.
Ann Kristin Naumann (Master Student)
Ann Kristin Naumann carried out lab experiments to study differences in the growth of sea ice between quiescent and turbulent conditions. She found that the solid fraction of grease ice is relatively constant until the ice starts to consolidate. In addition, she analysed and compared various methods to measure the solid fraction of grease ice.