A possible mechanism of thermodynamic consolidation of ice rubble in water at varying freezing point has been investigated in the laboratory. A number of experiments have been performed with cylindrical ice samples to estimate the extent of consolidation. All water was kept at freezing point during the experiment. Saline ice samples were periodically moved between water reservoirs of different salinities (0 and 35ppt), modeling systematic changes in the freezing point of the surrounding water. The mass, salinity and shape of the samples were observed. The results of the investigations are described and analyzed in the paper. The experiments showed that consolidation can occur, and showed a gradual increase in the total mass of the samples. The average relative mass increase of the samples, per period of the freezing point variations, is 3.4%. Brine drainage was observed while the samples were in fresh water, and conversely salt water accumulated in brine pockets while the samples were in salt water. The observed variability in the salinity of the sample was between 6 and 2 ppt.
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