Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

A comparison of annual layer thickness model estimates with observational measurements using the Berkner Island ice core, Antarctica

Massam, A.; Sneed, S.; Lee, G.; Tuckwell, R.; Mulvaney, R.; Mayewski, P.A.; Whitehouse, P.

A comparison of annual layer thickness model estimates with observational measurements using the Berkner Island ice core, Antarctica Thumbnail


Authors

A. Massam

S. Sneed

G. Lee

R. Tuckwell

R. Mulvaney

P.A. Mayewski



Abstract

A model to estimate the annual layer thickness of deposited snowfall at a deep ice core site, compacted by vertical strain with respect to depth, is assessed using ultra-high-resolution laboratory analytical techniques. A recently established technique of high-resolution direct chemical analysis of ice using ultra-violet laser ablation inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA ICP-MS) has been applied to ice from the Berkner Island ice core, and compared with results from lower resolution techniques conducted on parallel sections of ice. The results from both techniques have been analysed in order to assess the capability of each technique to recover seasonal cycles from deep Antarctic ice. Results do not agree with the annual layer thickness estimates from the age–depth model for individual samples <1 m long as the model cannot reconstruct the natural variability present in annual accumulation. However, when compared with sections >4 m long, the deviation between the modelled and observational layer thicknesses is minimized to within two standard deviations. This confirms that the model is capable of successfully estimating mean annual layer thicknesses around analysed sections. Furthermore, our results confirm that the LA ICP-MS technique can reliably recover seasonal chemical profiles beyond standard analytical resolution.

Citation

Massam, A., Sneed, S., Lee, G., Tuckwell, R., Mulvaney, R., Mayewski, P., & Whitehouse, P. (2017). A comparison of annual layer thickness model estimates with observational measurements using the Berkner Island ice core, Antarctica. Antarctic Science, https://doi.org/10.1017/s0954102017000025

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jan 25, 2017
Online Publication Date Feb 14, 2017
Publication Date Feb 14, 2017
Deposit Date Feb 17, 2017
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Antarctic Science
Print ISSN 0954-1020
Electronic ISSN 1365-2079
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
DOI https://doi.org/10.1017/s0954102017000025

Files

Accepted Journal Article (568 Kb)
PDF

Copyright Statement
This article has been published in a revised form in Antarctic science https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954102017000025. This version is free to view and download for private research and study only. Not for re-distribution, re-sale or use in derivative works. © Antarctic Science Ltd 2017





You might also like



Downloadable Citations