Double‐Diffusive Convection under Sea Ice

Abstract

It is shown that conditions underneath freezing or melting sea ice may be established which are favorable for double-diffusive convection. Salt fingers are possible when the ice cover is growing, while the overstable mode of instability is associated with ice melting. A criterion for the occurrence of double-diffusive convection is that salinity must be greater than about 25 o/oo, a condition generally satisfied in the oceans. These effects should be considered in ice modeling studies, as well as in vertical stratification models for the underlying water.