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.