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Victoria University Antarctic Research Expedition Science and Logistics Reports 2007-08: VUWAE 52

Shallow Firn Core Analysis

page 6

Shallow Firn Core Analysis

The following parameters will be measured on the obtained firn cores and snow samples:
  • Oxygen and Hydrogen Isotope Ratio

    Oxygen isotope ratios are measured using a CO2 dual-inlet system coupled to a Micromass Isoprime mass spectrometer at GNS Science. The sample is measured in the presence of a standard CO2 gas. Sample duplicates and standard measurements showed a precision of ±0.08‰. Samples are analysed for stable hydrogen isotope radios δD via Cr reduction with a continuous Helium flow Eurovector elemental analyser coupled to a Micromass Isoprime mass spectrometer. Sample duplicates and standard measurements showed a precision of ±0.6‰.

  • Major Cations, Anions, and Methylsulfonate

    Major ion concentrations are measured for cations (Na, K, Mg, Ca, NH3) using a Dionex™ Ion Chromatograph with Dionex CS12 column and 20 mM methanesulfonic acid eluent. Anion concentrations (Cl, NO3, SO4) are measured with a Dionex AS11 column, 6.0 mM NaOH eluent. For both measurements a 0.25 mL sample loop is used. Methylsulfonate (MS) content is measured using a Dionex AS11 column with 0.1 mM NaOH eluent and a 1.60 mL sample loop

  • Trace Elements and Cations

    Samples are analysed for trace elements and cations (Al, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, S, Si, Sr, and Zn) using a Perkin-Elmer Optima 3000 XL axial inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy with a CETAC ultrasonic nebuliser (ICP-OES-USN at UMaine) and a Finnigan Thermo inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS at VUW) for all other trace elements and selected isotopic ratios.

  • Dust concentration and mineralogy

    500cm3 volume of snow/ice is filtered through Whatman quantative 2.5μm ashless filter paper. The filter is burnt in a Vulcan A-550 furnace at 500°C for 24 hours. The residue is weight with a AG204 Mettler Toledo analytical balance, and reweighed after 24hours to check for moisture absorbance during cooling. Mineralogy is determined by mounting the dust samples in glycerol gelatine for examination under an optical particles found in the dust are analysed in a JEOL 733 Electron Microprobe at VUW.