In situ thermal profiles and laboratory impact experiments on iceberg ice

Gagnon, R.; Gammon, P. H.

doi:10.1017/s0022143000035188

Cited by 11 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 5 publications

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“…The relatively small number of samples is understandable when the logistical and safety aspects of sample collection are considered. Iceberg samples have been retrieved using helicopters (Diemand, 1984;Gagnon and Gammon, 1997), and from small boats, either by chipping pieces off with an ice axe (Hawkings et al, 2018) or by collecting floating pieces of glacial ice from the water (Hopwood et al, 2016(Hopwood et al, , 2017Meire et al, 2016). Helicopters have also been used to deploy GPS trackers (Sutherland et al, 2014;Jones and Gudmundsson, 2015;Larsen et al, 2015;Sulak et al, 2017) and wave motion sensors (Lever et al, 1991).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Retrieval of Ice Samples Using the Ice Drone

et al. 2019

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The ecological impacts of meltwater produced by icebergs and sea ice in the waters around Greenland are poorly understood, due in part to limited observations. Current field sampling methods are resource and labor-intensive, and not without significant risk. We developed a small, unoccupied, and robotic platform to retrieve ice samples, while simultaneously eliminating safety risks to scientists and their support infrastructure. The IceDrone consists of a modified commercial hexcopter that retrieves ice samples. We describe the design requirements, construction, and testing of the IceDrone. IceDrone's capabilities were validated in the laboratory and during a field test in January 2019 near Nuuk (southwest Greenland). IceDrone retrieved samples in hard and dry glacial ice in harsh winter conditions. The field test led to modifications in the drilling head design and drilling process that enable it to retrieve samples in thin sea ice. All design files and software are provided in an attempt to rapidly enhance our collective understanding of ice-ocean interactions while improving the safety and productivity of field sampling campaigns.

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