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 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.

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 Spatial variability of the major chemistry of the Antarctic ice sheet

1994 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 440-447 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Mulvaney ◽  
E. W. Wolff
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Variability ◽  
Sodium Nitrate ◽  
Accumulation Rate ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Reliable Data ◽  
Sea Salt ◽  
Antarctic Ice Sheet ◽  
Salt Ions ◽  
The Antarctic ◽  
Coastal Topography

A compilation of reliable data for sodium, nitrate, chloride and sulphate has been made. NO3 concentrations arc remarkably consistent across Antarctica, though there appears to be some correlation with altitude and accumulation rate. Post-depositional loss of NO3 - is important at low-accumulation sites. Cl concentration (either measured directly or calculated from Na+ via the sea salt ratio) decreases with distance from the coast, though the decline is less rapid if the coastal topography is not steep or mountainous. Excess sulphate (xsSO4 2) concentration (here calculated from normal sea-salt ratios with Na+ or Cl) also declines with distance from the coast, though less quickly than Cl-. Fractionation of sea-salt ions makes the calculation of SO4 2- uncertain.

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 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 Spatial variability of the major chemistry of the Antarctic ice sheet

1994 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 440-447 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Mulvaney ◽  
E. W. Wolff
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Variability ◽  
Sodium Nitrate ◽  
Accumulation Rate ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Reliable Data ◽  
Sea Salt ◽  
Antarctic Ice Sheet ◽  
Salt Ions ◽  
The Antarctic ◽  
Coastal Topography

A compilation of reliable data for sodium, nitrate, chloride and sulphate has been made. NO3 concentrations arc remarkably consistent across Antarctica, though there appears to be some correlation with altitude and accumulation rate. Post-depositional loss of NO3- is important at low-accumulation sites. Cl concentration (either measured directly or calculated from Na+ via the sea salt ratio) decreases with distance from the coast, though the decline is less rapid if the coastal topography is not steep or mountainous. Excess sulphate (xsSO42) concentration (here calculated from normal sea-salt ratios with Na+ or Cl) also declines with distance from the coast, though less quickly than Cl-. Fractionation of sea-salt ions makes the calculation of SO42- uncertain.

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 Ammonium and potassium in snow around an emperor penguin colony

2000 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 154-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew M. Rankin ◽  
Eric W. Wolff
Keyword(s):  
Food Source ◽  
Ice Core ◽  
Sea Salt ◽  
Seasonal Effect ◽  
Emperor Penguin ◽  
Snow Chemistry ◽  
Salt Ions ◽  
Penguin Colony ◽  
Inland Ice ◽  
Snow Samples

Snow samples taken at various distances from the emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) colony near Halley station were analysed by ion chromatography. Extremely high ammonium concentrations were encountered at the colony itself, but fell off sharply with distance from the colony, reaching background levels within a few kilometres of the colony. A seasonal effect was also seen, with the highest concentrations found in spring when the colony was at its most active. Levels of potassium and other sea-salt ions were also elevated near the colony. The ratio of sodium to potassium was lower than that found in bulk seawater, and closer to that found in the penguin's food source, indicating that the increased concentrations are due to emissions from the penguins and not merely to the proximity of open seawater to the site. The colony thus has a significant effect on the composition of the nearby snow, but this effect is strongly localised and is not likely to significantly influence snow chemistry at inland ice core drilling sites.

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

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guitao Shi ◽  
Hongmei Ma ◽  
Zhengyi Hu ◽  
Zhenlou Chen ◽  
Chunlei An ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Temporal Variations ◽  
East Antarctica ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Variations ◽  
Biogenic Emissions ◽  
Dome A ◽  
Sea Salts ◽  
Snow Chemistry ◽  
Winter Snow ◽  
Surface Snow

Abstract. There is a large variability in environmental conditions across the Antarctic ice sheet, and it is of significance to investigate the snow chemistry at as many locations as possible and over time, given that the ice sheet itself, and precipitation and deposition patterns and trends are changing. The China inland Antarctic traverse from coastal Zhongshan Station to the ice sheet summit (Dome A) covers a variety of environments, allowing for a vast collection of snow chemistry conditions across East Antarctica. Surface snow and snow pit samples were collected on this traverse during five campaigns, to comprehensively investigate the spatial and temporal variations in chemical ions (Cl−, NO3−, SO42−, Na+, NH4+, K+, Mg2+, and Ca2+) and the related controlling factors. Results show that spatial patterns of ions in surface snow are consistent among the five campaigns, with Cl−, Na+, K+, and Mg2+ decreasing rapidly with distance from the coast and NO3− showing an opposite pattern. No clear spatial trends in SO42−, NH4+ and Ca2+ were found. In the interior areas, an enrichment of Cl− versus Na+ with respect to seawater composition is ubiquitous as a result of the deposition of HCl, which can account for up to ~40 % of the total Cl− budget, while enriched K+ and Mg2+ are associated with terrestrial particle mass. Ca2+ and SO42− in surface snow are significantly enriched relative to Na+, related to terrestrial dust inputs and marine biogenic emissions, respectively. Snow NH4+ is mainly associated with marine biological activities, with higher concentrations in summer than in winter. On the coast, parts of the winter snow are characterized with a depletion of SO42− versus Na+, and a significant negative correlation between nssSO42− and Na+ was found, suggesting that sea salts originated from the sea ice. In the interior areas, the negative nssSO42− signal in winter snow resulted from inputs of sea salts being completely swamped by the contribution of marine biogenic emissions. Ternary plots of Cl−, Na+, and SO42− suggest that sea salt modification is generally negligible on the coast, while the degree of modification processes to sea salts is high in the interior areas, especially during the summertime. Ion flux assessment suggests an efficient transport of nssSO42− to at least as far inland as the ~2800 m contour line. The interannual variations in ion concentrations in surface snow on the traverse are likely linked to the changes in the Southern Indian Ocean low (SIOL) from year to year, and the deepening of the SIOL in summer tends to promote the transport of marine aerosols to Princess Elizabeth Land.

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