Abstract:

The traverse route from Zhongshan Station to Dome A in East Antarctica is one of the main expedition routes of the International Trans-Antarctic Scientific Expedition (ITASE), which has considerable global scientific significance. Following the inland ice sheet scientific expedition of the 31st CHINARE, surface snow samples collected at 10-km intervals along this route were analyzed using ion chromatography and content concentrations of sulfur compounds (SO₄^2– and MSA) were obtained. The nssSO₄^2– and MSA contents along the traverse route presented no obvious overall trend of decrease in spatial variation with increasing distance from the coast, but regional trends were detected. Significant correlation was found between nssSO₄^2– and MSA in the inland plateau area of Dome A, with a linear relation of [MSA] = 0.115 8 × [nssSO₄^2– ] – 1.149 7 (r² = 0.75). The MSA/nssSO₄^2– ratio along the traverse route was also calculated (range: 0.04–0.47; mean: 0.14), which revealed that the ratio in coastal areas was higher than inland areas. Different sources or the wind field streamlines of the transect might be the main reasons for the finding of inconsistently higher MSA/nssSO₄^2– ratios at lower temperatures. Further research on the sulfur compounds along the transect in this study would be enhanced by consideration of the climatic environment based on ice core records of nssSO₄^2– and MSA.