Seasonality of isotopic and chemical composition of snowpack in the vicinity of Jang Bogo Station, East Antarctica

Authors

  • Soon Do Hur Division of Glacial Environment Research, Korea Polar Research Institute, 26, Songdomirae-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 21990, Korea https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2193-0947
  • Jiwoong Chung Division of Glacial Environment Research, Korea Polar Research Institute, 26, Songdomirae-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 21990, Korea https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0890-5598
  • Yalalt Namgerel Division of Glacial Environment Research, Korea Polar Research Institute, 26, Songdomirae-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 21990, Korea; Department of Science Education, Ewha Womans University, 52, Ewhayeodae-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-750, Korea https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5755-160X
  • Jeonghoon Lee Department of Science Education, Ewha Womans University, 52, Ewhayeodae-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-750, Korea https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1256-4431

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24425/ppr.2021.137146

Abstract

Seasonal variations of the isotopic and chemical compositions of snowpits can provide useful tools for dating the age of the snowpit and examining the sources of aerosol. Based on the seasonal layers with δD and δ18O maxima and minima, it was determined that the snowpit, conducted in the vicinity of the Jang Bogo Station in Antarctica, contained snow deposited over a three-year period (2008–2010). Distinct seasonal variations of stable water isotopes were observed, with a slope of 8.2 from the linear isotopic relationship between oxygen and hydrogen, which indicates that the snow accumulated during three years without a significant post-depositional process. The positive correlations (r > 0.85) between Na+ and other ions in the winter period and the positive relationship with the concentrations of the methanesulphonic acid (MSA) and non-sea salt sulfate (nssSO42–) in the warm period (r = 0.6, spring to summer) indicate the significant contributions of an oceanic source to the snowpit. Based on principal component analysis, the isotopic and chemical variables were classified into species representing input of sea-salt aerosol and suggesting potential seasonal markers. This study will support further investigations using ice cores in this region.

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Published

2021-09-06

How to Cite

Hur, Soon Do, et al. “Seasonality of Isotopic and Chemical Composition of Snowpack in the Vicinity of Jang Bogo Station, East Antarctica”. Polish Polar Research, vol. 42, no. 4, Sept. 2021, pp. 221–236, doi:10.24425/ppr.2021.137146.

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Articles