Lead-induced convection: a laboratory perspective

The polar ice cap often cracks and forms long, narrow channels of open water which are known as leads. These openings play an important role in the heat budget and circulation of polar oceans. In the winter opening of a lead is associated with the onset of turbulent convection above and below the lead, because of the refreezing of surface water and rejection of heat into the atmosphere, respectively. Lead-induced convection is associated with a …