sulfate in antarctic snow: Spatio-temporal distribution

https://doi.org/10.1016/0004-6981(78)90253-6Get rights and content

Abstract

In this study, we report sulfate content measurements of eighty snow samples collected in East Antarctica. Stringent contamination free techniques were used both for sampling and analysis (ionometric titration with a lead selective electrode after preconcentration). Sulfate concentrations (range: 50–100.10−9 g g−1, accuracy ±10%) do not show large variations along a 1100 km coast interior axis, if we except a narrow coastal area. The analysis of well dated snow samples (time range: 1950–1975) collected at South Pole Station and Dome C (124°E, 75°S) suggest a main marine contribution for the sulfate content, to which are added sporadic stratospheric injections linked with major volcanic events, such as Mt. Agung (1963), whose eruption is clearly recorded. There is no evident anthropogenic contribution to the measured values.

References (23)

  • M.M. Herron et al.

    Atmospheric trace metals and sulfate in the Greenland Ice Sheet

    Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta

    (1977)
  • C. Boutron et al.

    Trace elements in East Antarctica snow samples

  • C. Boutron et al.

    Composition of aerosols deposited in snow at the South Pole. Time dependency and sources

  • C. Boutron

    Preconcentration at the ng/kg level by non boiling evaporation in Teflon: simultaneous determination of 12 elements in Antarctic snows

  • M. Briat et al.

    Chlorine and sodium content of East Antarctica firn samples

    J. Rech. Atmos.

    (1974)
  • A.W. Castleman et al.

    Isotopic studies of the sulfur component of the stratospheric aerosol layer

    Tellus

    (1974)
  • J.H. Cragin et al.

    Interhemispheric comparison of changes in the composition of atmospheric precipitation during the late cenizoic era

  • J.F. Cronin

    Recent volcanism and the stratosphere

    Science

    (1971)
  • R. Delmas

    Microdosage potentiomètnque de l'ion sulfate

    Mikrochim. Acta

    (1978)
  • A.N. Doronin

    Chemical composition of snow near Vostok Station and along the axis Mirny-Vostok

    Bull. Sov. Antarct. Exp.

    (1975)
  • W.H. Fischer et al.

    Antarctic atmospheric chemistry; preliminary exploration

    Science

    (1969)
  • Cited by (28)

    • X-ray spectrometry of polar aerosols

      1983, Atmospheric Environment (1967)
    View all citing articles on Scopus
    View full text