911 Years of Microparticle Deposition at the South Pole: A Climatic Interpretation
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Date
1980
Authors
Mosley-Thompson, Ellen
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Institute of Polar Studies, The Ohio State University.
Abstract
A detailed analysis of the particles within a 101-meter firn core from Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station Antarctica, was conducted. 6218 samples were analyzed for particle concentration and size distribution. Individual particles within selected sections of the core were examined for morphology and elemental constituents using a scanning electron microscope and an X-ray energy dispersive system.
A 911-year time scale was constructed using the annual cycle of particle concentration. Accurate dating of firn and ice cores is essential if appropriate climatic interpretations are to be obtained from the isotopic species and gases contained within these cores. This investigation demonstrated that the microparticle variations provide a method for dating cores from regions of low annual accumulation. This is exceedingly important as the longest cores, and hence the longest paleoclimatic records, will come from East Antarctica where accumulation rates are low.
Description
Keywords
Firn core, Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, Antarctica, Microparticles, Climatic interpretations
Citation
Mosley-Thompson, Ellen. 1980. 911 Years of Microparticle Deposition at the South Pole: A Climatic Interpretation. Institute of Polar Studies Report No. 73, Institute of Polar Studies, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 134 pages.