Imaged brine inclusions in young sea ice—Shape, distribution and formation timing

•A brine channel in young sea ice is imaged in 3-D using magnetic resonance (MR).•The brine channel formed during downward ice growth in less than 6 days.•The 3-D MR sequence used took only 4 min 30 s.•3-D MR images may be used to compute accurate vertical profiles of liquid volume fraction.

Liquid inclusions in sea ice are variable and dependent on the myriad of physical conditions of the atmosphere–sea ice environment in which the sea ice was grown, and whether or not melting processes affected the sea ice. In that light, there exist relatively few observations and resultant quantification of the morphology and vertical distribution of brine inclusions in sea ice. Using a magnetic (3.0 T) resonance (MR) imager using constructive interference steady state gradient echo sequence, we show that it is possible to image brine channels and pockets in an 18.5 cm young sea ice core in three-dimensions in only four and a half minutes following core storage at − 20 °C. We present a three-dimensional image of a brine drainage channel feature in a young sea ice core, give the physical context for its formation by presenting the physical conditions of the atmosphere and water/sea ice prior to sea ice growth through the sampling date, and observe its physical characteristics. We illustrate that brine drainage channels may be established concurrently with ice growth, and indicate the amount and location of vertical and horizontal fluid connectivity in the young sea ice sample in the context of the environment in which it grew. Finally, we show that a vertical brine volume distribution profile can be calculated using MR image data, extending the (non-imaging) nuclear magnetic resonance work of others in this vein.