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Growing Artificial Sea Ice and The Importance of Seeding
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  • Siobhan Johnson,
  • Dyllon Garth Randall,
  • Tokoloho Rampai,
  • Marcello Vichi,
  • Sebastian Skatulla
Siobhan Johnson
University of Cape Town

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Dyllon Garth Randall
University of Cape Town
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Tokoloho Rampai
University of Cape Town
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Marcello Vichi
University of Cape Town
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Sebastian Skatulla
University of Cape Town
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Abstract

Artificial sea ice growth is an emerging field that aims to assist in understanding the growth conditions and properties of sea ice. The Meta-Stable Zone Width (MSZW) of a supercooled solution is dependent on volume. Larger volumes have a higher probability of having a seed crystal being introduced to the system which halts supercooling and begins nucleation, hence, small extents of supercooling can be found in the ocean before freezing. Small MSZW’s are not often reflected in artificial sea ice set-up, thus many choose to seed to avoid excessive supercooling. This research focused on determining the MSZW of artificial sea ice grown in four volumes: 5 L, 30 L, 100 L and 370 L. The results showed a decreasing average MSZW as tank volume increased as a decreasing exponential relationship was found between volume and the MSZW.