Viability of chemical and water isotope ratio measurements of RAID ice chippings from Antarctica

• Published in: Journal of Glaciology
• Main Authors: Isobel F. Rowell, Robert Mulvaney, Julius Rix, Dieter R. Tetzner, Eric W. Wolff
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press 2023
• Subjects: Antarctic glaciology; ice core; ice coring; palaeoclimate; snow and ice chemistry; Environmental sciences; GE1-350; Meteorology. Climatology; QC851-999; Antarctic; Antarc*; Antarctica; Journal of Glaciology
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1017/jog.2022.94; https://doaj.org/article/82b037e12c6d467da7b7931240344a73

The British Antarctic Survey's (BAS) Rapid Access Isotope Drill (RAID), designed for rapid drilling to survey prospective ice core sites, has been deployed at multiple Antarctic locations over 6 years. This drilling method creates ice chippings that can be discretely sampled and analysed for their chemical and water isotopic composition. Ice sampling methods have evolved since the first uses of the BAS RAID, enabling a more quantifiable sample resolution. Here, we show that water isotope records obtained from RAID ice are comparable to those of equivalent depth resolution from proximal ice cores. Records of chemical impurities also show good agreement with nearby cores. Our findings suggest that the RAID is suitable for both chemical and isotopic reconnaissance of drilling sites. Residual contamination of certain ions is discussed, with proposed design changes to avoid this issue with future use.