Optimization of High-Resolution Continuous Flow Analysis for Transient Climate Signals in Ice Cores

Matthias Bigler, Anders Svensson, Ernesto Kettner, Paul Travis Vallelonga, Maibritt Nielsen, Jørgen Peder Steffensen

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73 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Over the past two decades, continuous flow analysis (CFA) systems have been refined and widely used to measure aerosol constituents in polar and alpine ice cores in very high-depth resolution. Here we present a newly designed system consisting of sodium, ammonium, dust particles, and electrolytic meltwater conductivity detection modules. The system is optimized for high- resolution determination of transient signals in thin layers of deep polar ice cores. Based on standard measurements and by comparing sections of early Holocene and glacial ice from Greenland, we find that the new system features a depth resolution in the ice of a few millimeters which is considerably better than other CFA systems. Thus, the new system can resolve ice strata down to 10 mm thickness and has the potential of identifying annual layers in both Greenland and Antarctic ice cores throughout the last glacial cycle.
Original languageEnglish
JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology (Washington)
Volume45
Issue number10
Pages (from-to)4483-4489
Number of pages7
ISSN0013-936X
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 19 Apr 2011

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