Continuous measurements of methane mixing ratios from ice cores
This work presents a new, field-deployable technique for continuous, high-resolution measurements of methane mixing ratios from ice cores. The technique is based on a continuous flow analysis system, where ice core samples cut along the long axis of an ice core are melted continuously. The past atmo...
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ftdoajarticles:oai:doaj.org/article:efe39805af6545bdb5c8933363b3351c 2023-05-15T16:27:59+02:00 Continuous measurements of methane mixing ratios from ice cores C. Stowasser C. Buizert V. Gkinis J. Chappellaz S. Schüpbach M. Bigler X. Faïn P. Sperlich M. Baumgartner A. Schilt T. Blunier 2012-05-01T00:00:00Z https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-5-999-2012 https://doaj.org/article/efe39805af6545bdb5c8933363b3351c EN eng Copernicus Publications http://www.atmos-meas-tech.net/5/999/2012/amt-5-999-2012.pdf https://doaj.org/toc/1867-1381 https://doaj.org/toc/1867-8548 doi:10.5194/amt-5-999-2012 1867-1381 1867-8548 https://doaj.org/article/efe39805af6545bdb5c8933363b3351c Atmospheric Measurement Techniques, Vol 5, Iss 5, Pp 999-1013 (2012) Environmental engineering TA170-171 Earthwork. Foundations TA715-787 article 2012 ftdoajarticles https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-5-999-2012 2022-12-31T01:39:22Z This work presents a new, field-deployable technique for continuous, high-resolution measurements of methane mixing ratios from ice cores. The technique is based on a continuous flow analysis system, where ice core samples cut along the long axis of an ice core are melted continuously. The past atmospheric air contained in the ice is separated from the melt water stream via a system for continuous gas extraction. The extracted gas is dehumidified and then analyzed by a Wavelength Scanned-Cavity Ring Down Spectrometer for methane mixing ratios. We assess the performance of the new measurement technique in terms of precision (±0.8 ppbv, 1σ), accuracy (±8 ppbv), temporal (ca. 100 s), and spatial resolution (ca. 5 cm). Using a firn air transport model, we compare the resolution of the measurement technique to the resolution of the atmospheric methane signal as preserved in ice cores in Greenland. We conclude that our measurement technique can resolve all climatically relevant variations as preserved in the ice down to an ice depth of at least 1980 m (66 000 yr before present) in the North Greenland Eemian Ice Drilling ice core. Furthermore, we describe the modifications, which are necessary to make a commercially available spectrometer suitable for continuous methane mixing ratio measurements from ice cores. Article in Journal/Newspaper Greenland ice core North Greenland Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles Greenland Atmospheric Measurement Techniques 5 5 999 1013 |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles |
op_collection_id |
ftdoajarticles |
language |
English |
topic |
Environmental engineering TA170-171 Earthwork. Foundations TA715-787 |
spellingShingle |
Environmental engineering TA170-171 Earthwork. Foundations TA715-787 C. Stowasser C. Buizert V. Gkinis J. Chappellaz S. Schüpbach M. Bigler X. Faïn P. Sperlich M. Baumgartner A. Schilt T. Blunier Continuous measurements of methane mixing ratios from ice cores |
topic_facet |
Environmental engineering TA170-171 Earthwork. Foundations TA715-787 |
description |
This work presents a new, field-deployable technique for continuous, high-resolution measurements of methane mixing ratios from ice cores. The technique is based on a continuous flow analysis system, where ice core samples cut along the long axis of an ice core are melted continuously. The past atmospheric air contained in the ice is separated from the melt water stream via a system for continuous gas extraction. The extracted gas is dehumidified and then analyzed by a Wavelength Scanned-Cavity Ring Down Spectrometer for methane mixing ratios. We assess the performance of the new measurement technique in terms of precision (±0.8 ppbv, 1σ), accuracy (±8 ppbv), temporal (ca. 100 s), and spatial resolution (ca. 5 cm). Using a firn air transport model, we compare the resolution of the measurement technique to the resolution of the atmospheric methane signal as preserved in ice cores in Greenland. We conclude that our measurement technique can resolve all climatically relevant variations as preserved in the ice down to an ice depth of at least 1980 m (66 000 yr before present) in the North Greenland Eemian Ice Drilling ice core. Furthermore, we describe the modifications, which are necessary to make a commercially available spectrometer suitable for continuous methane mixing ratio measurements from ice cores. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
C. Stowasser C. Buizert V. Gkinis J. Chappellaz S. Schüpbach M. Bigler X. Faïn P. Sperlich M. Baumgartner A. Schilt T. Blunier |
author_facet |
C. Stowasser C. Buizert V. Gkinis J. Chappellaz S. Schüpbach M. Bigler X. Faïn P. Sperlich M. Baumgartner A. Schilt T. Blunier |
author_sort |
C. Stowasser |
title |
Continuous measurements of methane mixing ratios from ice cores |
title_short |
Continuous measurements of methane mixing ratios from ice cores |
title_full |
Continuous measurements of methane mixing ratios from ice cores |
title_fullStr |
Continuous measurements of methane mixing ratios from ice cores |
title_full_unstemmed |
Continuous measurements of methane mixing ratios from ice cores |
title_sort |
continuous measurements of methane mixing ratios from ice cores |
publisher |
Copernicus Publications |
publishDate |
2012 |
url |
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-5-999-2012 https://doaj.org/article/efe39805af6545bdb5c8933363b3351c |
geographic |
Greenland |
geographic_facet |
Greenland |
genre |
Greenland ice core North Greenland |
genre_facet |
Greenland ice core North Greenland |
op_source |
Atmospheric Measurement Techniques, Vol 5, Iss 5, Pp 999-1013 (2012) |
op_relation |
http://www.atmos-meas-tech.net/5/999/2012/amt-5-999-2012.pdf https://doaj.org/toc/1867-1381 https://doaj.org/toc/1867-8548 doi:10.5194/amt-5-999-2012 1867-1381 1867-8548 https://doaj.org/article/efe39805af6545bdb5c8933363b3351c |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-5-999-2012 |
container_title |
Atmospheric Measurement Techniques |
container_volume |
5 |
container_issue |
5 |
container_start_page |
999 |
op_container_end_page |
1013 |
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1766017594568998912 |