Chinese Journal of Polar Research ›› 2020, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (4): 483-493.DOI: 10. 13679/j.jdyj.20190072

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Analysis of influencing factors of the electrical properties of ice cores using dielectric profiling

Xu Sijia1,2, Li Yuansheng2, An Chunlei2, Shi Guitao3,2, Jiang Su2, Ma Tianming4,2, Lu Siyu5,2, Wang Danhe3,2   

  1. 1.School of Marine Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China;
    2.Polar Research Institute of China, Shanghai 200136, China;
    3.School of Geographical Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China;
    4.School of Ocean and Earth Science, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China;
    5.School College of Construction Engineering, Jilin University, Jilin 130026, China
  • Received:2019-12-17 Revised:2020-02-14 Online:2020-12-30 Published:2020-12-24

Abstract:

The paleoclimate information recorded in ice cores is often extracted and analyzed based on chemical and physical indicators. The electrical properties of ice cores are among the fundamental physical indices. To quantitatively determine the responses of ice cores under alternating current power, dielectric profiling (DEP) was developed and applied to ice core analysis. However, the technical parameters of DEP equipment need to be explored further for field measurement. In addition, the electrical responses to changes in ice core composition are not yet fully understood. Therefore, we first produced artificial ice cores using different ion types and concentration gradients. Based on the DEP measurement method for artificial ice cores developed by China, a method for measuring Antarctic ice cores is developed. Next, the relationships among the DEP signal (conductivity signal and permittivity signal), chemical factors, ice core crystallization rate, ice core gas content, and ice core dust content were investigated using these ice cores. The DEP signal showed a significant linear relationship with hydrogen ions, chloride ions, and ammonium ions in the ice cores. In addition, decrease of the crystallization rate, increase of the ice core gas content, and increase of the dust content (plant ash) may cause decline of the DEP signal in Antarctic ice cores.