Abstract:
An understanding of the formation of platelet ice in McMurdo Sound and consequently its influence on the formation of land fast sea ice was investigated over a winter season when ice formation begins until it starts to break up. Data was collected from current meters, acoustic doppler current profilers (ADCP), water sampling and conductivity temperature depth (CTD) probes for oceanographic
... studies. To determine the growth of platelet ice and the structure of the sea ice, data was collected from conductivity temperature (CT), sea ice salinity, density, microstructure and temperature probes. In addition, ice cores were taken regularly to measure salinity profiles, ice crystal structure and c-axis orientation. Equipment was tested from August to October (2002). Fulltime measurements at sites where platelet ice is abundance and where it is not so abundant was initiated in March 2003 until September at two sites in McMurdo Sound throughout the winter to determine the impact of platelet ice growth on the growth of land fast sea ice. 
