scholarly journals Spatial and Temporal Variations of Snow Chemistry in Terre Adélie (East Antarctica)

1985 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 20-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel Legrand ◽  
Robert J. Delmas
Keyword(s):  
Ion Chromatography ◽  
Temporal Variations ◽  
Sea Salt ◽  
East Antarctica ◽  
Snow Chemistry ◽  
Antarctic Plateau ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Terre Adélie ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Antarctic

The chemistry of recently deposited snow sampled in 1982–83 along a 430 km coast-interior traverse in Terre Adelie, East Antarctica, is reported. In addition, three firn samples, covering the same time period (1959 to 1969) and collected on the traverse at D 55, D 80 and Dome C stations, respectively at 200, 430 and 1070 km from the sea, are also studied. Concentrations of major soluble impurities (H+, , Na+, K+, Cl−, and ) were determined by ion chromatography (except H+ which was titrated) on more than 200 samples. Conditions of sampling and analysis were carefully controlled in order to avoid contamination problems. A balanced ionic budget was generally obtained for each of the samples. For stations occupying an intermediary position between the coastal areas and the central Antarctic plateau, our results demonstrate that the two major impurities are H2SO4 and HNO3. HCl is also present, but at a lower level of concentration; the sea-salt contribution is dominant only at the most coastal sites (within 40 km) of the sea. The degree of neutralization of the snow acidity by NH3 is always very low as indicated by the values of content. The mean concentrations of H2SO4 along the traverse are relatively constant whereas an increase of the HNO3 concentrations is observed when going inland. It decreases, however, in most central areas. These results are discussed in relation to the glaciochemical data published for other locations on the Antarctic plateau, in particular the sulphate concentrations which depend strongly on explosive volcanic activity.

scholarly journals Spatial and Temporal Variations of Snow Chemistry in Terre Adélie (East Antarctica)

1985 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 20-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel Legrand ◽  
Robert J. Delmas
Keyword(s):  
Ion Chromatography ◽  
Temporal Variations ◽  
Sea Salt ◽  
East Antarctica ◽  
Snow Chemistry ◽  
Antarctic Plateau ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Terre Adélie ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Antarctic

The chemistry of recently deposited snow sampled in 1982–83 along a 430 km coast-interior traverse in Terre Adelie, East Antarctica, is reported. In addition, three firn samples, covering the same time period (1959 to 1969) and collected on the traverse at D 55, D 80 and Dome C stations, respectively at 200, 430 and 1070 km from the sea, are also studied. Concentrations of major soluble impurities (H+, , Na+, K+, Cl−, and ) were determined by ion chromatography (except H+ which was titrated) on more than 200 samples. Conditions of sampling and analysis were carefully controlled in order to avoid contamination problems. A balanced ionic budget was generally obtained for each of the samples. For stations occupying an intermediary position between the coastal areas and the central Antarctic plateau, our results demonstrate that the two major impurities are H2SO4 and HNO3. HCl is also present, but at a lower level of concentration; the sea-salt contribution is dominant only at the most coastal sites (within 40 km) of the sea. The degree of neutralization of the snow acidity by NH3 is always very low as indicated by the values of content. The mean concentrations of H2SO4 along the traverse are relatively constant whereas an increase of the HNO3 concentrations is observed when going inland. It decreases, however, in most central areas. These results are discussed in relation to the glaciochemical data published for other locations on the Antarctic plateau, in particular the sulphate concentrations which depend strongly on explosive volcanic activity.

scholarly journals The Weddell Sea region: an important precipitation channel to the interior of the Antarctic ice sheet as revealed by glaciochemical investigation of surface snow along the longest trans-Antarctic route

1999 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
pp. 55-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qin Dahe ◽  
Paul A. Mayewski ◽  
Ren Jiawen ◽  
Xiao Cunde ◽  
Sun Junying
Keyword(s):  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Weddell Sea ◽  
Sea Salt ◽  
East Antarctica ◽  
Antarctic Ice Sheet ◽  
Air Masses ◽  
Antarctic Plateau ◽  
Salt Ions ◽  
Surface Snow ◽  
The Antarctic

AbstractGlaciochemical analysis of surface snow samples, collected along a profile crossing the Antarctic ice sheet from the Larsen Ice Shelf, Antarctic Peninsula, via the Antarctic Plateau through South Pole, Vostok and Komsomolskaya to Mirny station (at the east margin of East Antarctica), shows that the Weddell Sea region is an important channel for air masses to the high plateau of the Antarctic ice sheet (>2000 m a.s.l.). This opinion is supported by the following. (1) The fluxes of sea-salt ions such as Na+, Mg2 + and CF display a decreasing trend from the west to the east of interior Antarctica. In |eneral, as sea-salt aerosols are injected into the atmosphere over the Antarctic ice sheet from the Weddell Sea, large aerosols tend to decrease. For the inland plateau, few large particles of sea-salt aerosol reach the area, and the sea-salt concentration levels are low (2) The high altitude of the East Antarctic plateau, as well as the polar cold high-pressure system, obstruct the intrusive air masses mainly from the South Indian Ocean sector. (3) For the coastal regions of the East Antarctic ice sheet, the elevation rises to 2000 m over a distance from several to several tens of km. High concentrations of sea salt exist in snow in East Antarctica but are limited to a narrow coastal zone. (4) Fluxes of calcium and non-sea-salt sulfate in snow from the interior plateau do not display an eastward-decreasing trend. Since calcium is mainly derived from crustal sources, and nssSO42- is a secondary aerosol, this again confirms that the eastward-declining tendency of sea-salt ions indicates the transfer direction of precipitation vapor.

scholarly journals Brief communication: Spatial and temporal variations in surface snow chemistry along a traverse from coastal East Antarctica to the ice sheet summit (Dome A)

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 1087-1095
Author(s):  
Guitao Shi ◽  
Hongmei Ma ◽  
Zhengyi Hu ◽  
Zhenlou Chen ◽  
Chunlei An ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sea Ice ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Temporal Variations ◽  
Sea Salt ◽  
Biogenic Emissions ◽  
Dome A ◽  
Sea Salts ◽  
Snow Chemistry ◽  
Surface Snow ◽  
The Antarctic

Abstract. To better understand snow chemistry in different environments across the Antarctic ice sheet, we investigated snow ions on a traverse from the coast to Dome A. Results show that the non-sea-salt (nss) fractions of K+, Mg2+, and Ca2+ are mainly from terrestrial particle mass and nssCl− is associated with HCl. Spatially, the non-sea-salt fractions of ions to the totals are higher in the interior areas than on the coast, and seasonally, the proportions are higher in summer than in winter. Negative nssSO42- on the coast indicates sea salts from the sea ice, and marine biogenic emissions dominate snow SO42- in interior areas throughout the year.

scholarly journals Sea salt sodium record from Talos Dome (East Antarctica) as a potential proxy of the Antarctic past sea ice extent

Chemosphere ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 177 ◽  
pp. 266-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Severi ◽  
S. Becagli ◽  
L. Caiazzo ◽  
V. Ciardini ◽  
E. Colizza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sea Ice ◽  
Sea Salt ◽  
East Antarctica ◽  
Sea Ice Extent ◽  
The Antarctic

scholarly journals Relation between surface topography and sea-salt snow chemistry from Princess Elizabeth Land, East Antarctica

2011 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 2967-2989 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Mahalinganathan ◽  
M. Thamban ◽  
C. M. Laluraj ◽  
B. L. Redkar
Keyword(s):  
Strong Association ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Sea Salt ◽  
East Antarctica ◽  
Major Influence ◽  
Elevation Change ◽  
Snow Chemistry ◽  
Significant Control ◽  
Salt Ions ◽  
Antarctic Snow

Abstract. Previous studies on variability of sea-salt records in Antarctic snow have established an unambiguous relationship with the proximity to the sea and have been directly correlated with the site specific features like elevation and distance from the coast. On the other hand, variations in Cl−/Na+ ratio in have been attributed with the reaction mechanisms involving atmospheric acids. In the present study, annual records of Na+, Cl− and SO42− records were investigated using snow cores along a 180 km coast to inland transect in Princess Elizabeth Land, East Antarctica. Exceptionally high Na+ concentrations varying between 1000 and 2000 μg l−1 were observed within 50 km of the transect. Large variations in Cl−/Na+ ratio were observed within 50 km from the coast. A rapid increase in the elevation (0–1115 m) was noticed up to 50 km from the coast, whereas a steady elevation change (1115–2200 m) occurred between 50 and 180 km. The largest slope of the entire transect was observed (33.7 m km−1) between 20 and 30 km and records from this area correspondingly revealed extensive modifications in snow sea-salt chemistry, with Cl−/Na+ ratios as low as 0.2. Statistical analysis showed a strong association between the slope of the ice sheet and variation of the sea-salt ions along the transect. While distance from coast accounted for some variability, the altitude by itself seem to have no significant control on the distribution of sea-salt ions. We suggest that the degree of slope of the ice sheet on the coastal regions of Antarctica could have a major influence the sea-salt chemistry.

scholarly journals Climatic and Chemical Studies in James Ross Island Snow (Antarctic Peninsula) (Abstract only)

1982 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 347-347
Author(s):  
A Aristarain ◽  
M Briat ◽  
R Delmas ◽  
M Pourchet ◽  
J Jouzel
Keyword(s):  
Antarctic Peninsula ◽  
Seasonal Variations ◽  
Ice Core ◽  
Sea Salt ◽  
Eastern Coast ◽  
Mean Annual Temperature ◽  
Ice Cap ◽  
James Ross Island ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Antarctic

James Ross Island (mean diameter 50 km) is located near the north-eastern coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. An ice cap, covering nearly the entire island, rises to a height of ~1 600 m. Three summer expeditions with glaciological purposes were recently achieved on this ice cap by the Instituto Antártico Argentino, two of them with the scientific participation of the Laboratoire de Glaciologie et Geophysique de I'Environnement, Grenoble.We present results of climatic and chemical investigations performed on recent snow layers dating back about 25 a. The studied samples were collected at different sites on the upper part of the ice dome. Detailed measurements (deuterium, oxygen 18 and total β activity) were performed on more than 1000 selected samples. The relationship between stable isotope and mean annual temperature fits very well with the one previously obtained in the Antarctic Peninsula.An ice core 22 m deep drilled on Dome Dalinqer (elevation 1600 m, mean annual temperature -15˚C) showed well-preserved seasonal variations in deuterium all along the profile, thus providing a yearly dating of the samples which was confirmed by β activity reference levels. The mean annual accumulation thus deduced is 500 kg m−2 between 1955 and 1979, with values significantly lower (30%) in the 1955–65 decade than in 1965–79. The same trend earlier observed in east and central parts of Antarctica thus appears to have a very large geographical extent.This well-dated core allows us to undertake a year-to-year comparison between isotopic and climatological data over the 1953–78 period. The mean annual values of the deuterium content are well correlated with the average surface temperature taken over the whole Antarctic Peninsula (δD = (3.4±2.0)T - (98±32))These data and the experimentally derived δD/δ180 relationship obtained on James Ross Island allow us to deduce a δ180 temperature gradient of 0.44‰°C−1. This low value is discussed in view of a new isotopic model taking into account the partial removal of precipitation and the possible variation of the oceanic source. James Ross Island thus appears suitable as a potential site for reconstructing past climatic changes of the Antarctic Peninsula beyond existing data.Contamination-free techniques were used for sampling and analysing the snow samples. Na, K, Ca, and Al (by atomic absorption), H+ (by titrimetric measurements), SO42- and NO3− (by ion chromatography), and conductivity were determined on more than 100 samples collected in a 4.3 m deep pit. Some of these parameters were also measured on ice-core samples or additional pit samples.Snow impurities are contributed by different aerosol sources: sea salt, continental particles and the small-size particles produced by the conversion of various atmospheric gases. The relative importance of these sources has been estimated.James Ross snow was found always to be slightly acid (1 to 10 μEquiv. l−1 of H+, mainly as sulphuric acid). Nitrate concentrations are much smaller (0.4 μEquiv. l−1). Strong seasonal variations are observed for H2SO4 deposition, probably in relation to its formation in the Antarctic atmosphere.Sea-salt deposition exhibits also seasonal variations which can be correlated with storm frequency in the Weddell Sea area. The continental aerosol contribution is weak as indicated by very low Al values.The influence of Deception Island volcanism on the regional aerosol chemistry is examined. A marked increase of snow acidity was detected after the 1967 eruption of this volcano, but no ash layers were observed.The strong variations of the conductivity of melt water are interpreted: it is shown that this parameter is not representative of the extent of sea ice

Net deposition of mercury to the Antarctic Plateau enhanced by sea salt

2017 ◽  
Vol 583 ◽  
pp. 81-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yeongcheol Han ◽  
Youngsook Huh ◽  
Soon Do Hur ◽  
Sungmin Hong ◽  
Ji Woong Chung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sea Salt ◽  
Antarctic Plateau ◽  
The Antarctic

scholarly journals The Potential of Differential Astrometric Interferometry from the High Antarctic Plateau

2002 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 318-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
James P. Lloyd ◽  
Ben R. Oppenheimer ◽  
James R. Graham
Keyword(s):  
Orbit Determination ◽  
Planet Detection ◽  
Antarctic Plateau ◽  
Narrow Angle ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Dual Beam ◽  
Infrared Background ◽  
Astrometric Observation ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Antarctic

AbstractThe low infrared background and high atmospheric transparency are the principal advantages of Antarctic Plateau sites for astronomy. However, the poor seeing (between 1 and 3 as) negates much of the sensitivity improvements that the Antarctic atmosphere offers, compared to mid-latitude sites such as Mauna Kea or Cerro Paranal. The seeing at mid-latitude sites, though smaller in amplitude, is dominated by turbulence at altitudes of 10–20 km. Over the Antarctic Plateau, virtually no high altitude turbulence is present in the winter. The mean square error for an astrometric measurement with a dual-beam, differential astrometric interferometer in the very narrow angle regime is proportional to the integral of h2C2N(h). Therefore, sites at which the turbulence occurs only at low altitudes offer large gains in astrometric precision. We show that a modest interferometer at the South Pole can achieve 10 μ as differential astrometry 300 times faster than a comparable interferometer at a good mid-latitude site, in median conditions. Science programs that would benefit from such an instrument include planet detection and orbit determination, and astrometric observation of stars microlensed by dark matter candidates.

scholarly journals Relation between surface topography and sea-salt snow chemistry from Princess Elizabeth Land, East Antarctica

2012 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 505-515 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Mahalinganathan ◽  
M. Thamban ◽  
C. M. Laluraj ◽  
B. L. Redkar
Keyword(s):  
Reaction Mechanisms ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Sea Salt ◽  
East Antarctica ◽  
Site Specific ◽  
Snow Chemistry ◽  
Significant Control ◽  
Sea Salt Aerosols ◽  
Antarctic Snow ◽  
Steep Slopes

Abstract. Previous studies on Antarctic snow have established an unambiguous correlation between variability of sea-salt records and site specific features like elevation and proximity to the sea. On the other hand, variations of Cl−/Na+ ratios in snow have been attributed to the reaction mechanisms involving atmospheric acids. In the present study, the annual records of Na+, Cl− and SO42− were investigated using snow cores along a 180 km coast to inland transect in Princess Elizabeth Land, East Antarctica. Exceptionally high Na+ concentrations and large variations in Cl−/Na+ ratios were observed up to 50 km (∼1100 m elevation) of the transect. The steepest slope in the entire transect (49.3 m km−1) was between 20 and 30 km and the sea-salt records in snow from this area revealed extensive modifications, with Cl−/Na+ ratios as low as 0.2. Statistical analysis showed a strong association between the slope and variations in Cl−/Na+ ratios along the transect (r = −0.676, 99% confidence level). While distance from the coast accounted for some variability, the altitude by itself has no significant control over the sea-salt ion variability. However, the steep slopes influence the deposition of sea-salt aerosols in snow. The wind redistribution of snow due to the steep slopes on the coastal escarpment increases the concentration of Na+, resulting in a low Cl−/Na+ ratios. We propose that the slope variations in the coastal regions of Antarctica could significantly influence the sea-salt chemistry of snow.

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