Chinese Journal of Polar Research

ADVANCES IN POLAR SCIENCE ›› 2004, Vol. 15 ›› Issue (2-English): 85-90.

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The concentration variation features of sea salt ions and non sea salt ions in a firn core recovered from Princess Elizabeth Land, East Antarctica

Zhang Mingjun1,2, Ren Jiawen2, Xiao Cunde2, Li Zhongqin2 and Qin Dahe2   

  1. 1 College of Geography and Environment, North West Nomal University, Lanzhou 730070, China;
    2 Cold and Arid Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
  • Online:1954-06-30 Published:1954-06-30
  • Contact: Zhang Mingjun

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Abstract:

A 51.85 m firn core drilled in Princess Elizabeth Land, Antarctica, during the 1996-1997 Chinese First Antarctic Inland Expedition, has been measured for δ18O and major ions. Based on the high quality data of the seasonal variations of major ions, the firn core was dated with errors within ±3 years. The 51.85 m firn core record extends for 251 years (A. D. 1745-1996). The results of the glaciochemistry data of the firn core show that the mean concentrations of Cl-, Na+ and Mg2+ are similar to those reported from other coastal areas in East Antarctica. However, mean concentrations of Ca2+ are much higher than those reported from other regions, this anomaly phenomenon may be related to the strong local terrestrial sources. It is found that the variations of three kinds of sea salt ions (Cl-, Na+ and Mg2+ ) in the past 150 years show very similarly rising trends, which may be the results the Southern Hemisphere warming in the past century.

Key words: Antarctica firm core, sea salt ion and non sea salt ion