Relation between surface topography and sea-salt snow chemistry from Princess Elizabeth Land, East Antarctica
Previous studies on Antarctic snow have established an unambiguous correlation between variability of sea-salt records and site specific features like elevation and proximity to the sea. On the other hand, variations of Cl − /Na + ratios in snow have been attributed to the reaction mechanisms involv...
| Published in: | The Cryosphere |
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
| Format: | Text |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2018
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-6-505-2012 https://tc.copernicus.org/articles/6/505/2012/ |
| Summary: | Previous studies on Antarctic snow have established an unambiguous correlation between variability of sea-salt records and site specific features like elevation and proximity to the sea. On the other hand, variations of Cl − /Na + ratios in snow have been attributed to the reaction mechanisms involving atmospheric acids. In the present study, the annual records of Na + , Cl − and SO 4 2− were investigated using snow cores along a 180 km coast to inland transect in Princess Elizabeth Land, East Antarctica. Exceptionally high Na + concentrations and large variations in Cl − /Na + ratios were observed up to 50 km (∼1100 m elevation) of the transect. The steepest slope in the entire transect (49.3 m km −1 ) was between 20 and 30 km and the sea-salt records in snow from this area revealed extensive modifications, with Cl − /Na + ratios as low as 0.2. Statistical analysis showed a strong association between the slope and variations in Cl − /Na + ratios along the transect ( r = −0.676, 99% confidence level). While distance from the coast accounted for some variability, the altitude by itself has no significant control over the sea-salt ion variability. However, the steep slopes influence the deposition of sea-salt aerosols in snow. The wind redistribution of snow due to the steep slopes on the coastal escarpment increases the concentration of Na + , resulting in a low Cl − /Na + ratios. We propose that the slope variations in the coastal regions of Antarctica could significantly influence the sea-salt chemistry of snow. |
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