Measurement Of Sea Ice Conductivity By Electromagnetic Induction

A non-invasive electromagnetic induction tool to measure the electrical conductivity of sea ice was developed and tested. The principle of operation involves the measurement of the radiation resistance of a circular loop antenna placed on the surface of the ice over a frequency range of 8 to 20 MHz. Conductivity measurements made on first-year sea ice in the Beaufort Sea spanned the range of42 to 125 mS/m. These values corresponded well with computed values of conductivity that were based on measurements of ice salinity and temperature. At a multiyear ice site, the observed conductivity was 14 mS/m.