2003年1月4日至2月15日期间,在5种不同情况下对南极海冰进行了调查研究。包括:(1)基于走航观测的威德尔海至普利茨湾之间海冰分布研究;(2)基于航空拍摄的普利茨湾海冰分布研究;(3)纳拉海峡固定冰和上浮雪厚度钻孔测量以及冰心钻取;(4)中山站附近融化冰的分布研究以及(5)中山站附近海冰早期冻结过程观测研究。结果表明,威德尔海至普利茨湾之间走航观测得到的海冰全部密集度为14.4%,大部分冰(99.7%~99.8%)属于一年冰,观测到冰的厚度在15~150cm。沿观测航线上海冰最大密集度(80%)出现在威德尔海,从59。56S到69°22S以及从040°41W到076°23E的区域分布着广阔的水域。这一结果验证了Silvia的海冰漂移理论。普利茨湾沿岸海冰受制于沿岸地形、拉斯曼丘陵以及搁浅冰山的影响,其密集度呈现较大的空间变化。钻孔测量显示,纳拉海峡固定冰平均厚度为169.5cm。风吹雪的重分布以及日照强度差异是导致纳拉海峡固定冰厚度差异的主要因素。观测表明,中山站附近海冰早期冻结遵循Lange的海冰早期冻结过程“饼状循环”最初的两个阶段。
The Antarctic sea ice was investigated on five occasions between January 4 and February 15, 2003. The investigations included the following: (1) estimation of sea ice distribution by ship-based observations between Middle Weddell Sea and Prydz Bay; (2) estimation of sea ice distribution by aerial photography in the Prydz Bay; (3) direct measurements of fast ice thickness and snow cover, as well as ice core sampling in Nella Fjord; (4) estimation of melting sea ice patterns near the ZhongShan Station; and (5) observation of sea ice early freezing near the ZhongShan Station. On average, sea ice covered 14.4% of the studied area. First-year ice was dominant (99.7-99.8%). Sea ice thickness ranged between 15 cm and 150 cm. The highest sea ice concentration (80%) was observed in Weddell Sea. A large area of open water was observed between 59°56 S and 69°22 S and 040°41 W and 076°23 E. The observed results validate the Silvia model of sea ice drifting. Sea ice distributions in Prydz Bay were more variable due to the complex on-shore topography, the proximity of the Larsemann Hills, and/or the grounded icebergs. The average thickness of landfast ice in Nella Fjord was 169.5 cm. Windblown snow redistribution and the different radiations played an important role in affecting the ice thickness in Nella Fjord. Preliminary freezing of sea ice near the ZhongShan Station conformed to the first two phases of the Pancake Cycle.