Methanesulphonic acid loss during ice-core storage: recommendations based on a new diffusion coefficient

• Published in: Journal of Glaciology
• Main Authors: Roberts, JL, van Ommen, TD, Curran, MAJ, Vance, TR
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Int Glaciol Soc 2009
• Subjects: Earth Sciences; Physical Geography and Environmental Geoscience; Glaciology; ice core; Journal of Glaciology
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.3189/002214309790152474; http://ecite.utas.edu.au/71451

The loss of methanesulphonic acid (MSA) from stored ice cores can be significant over typical storage times, with diffusion to the ice-core surface controlling the loss. Methods for minimizing this loss are discussed and it is shown how measurements can be corrected by calculating the amount of MSA lost. A revised diffusion coefficient for MSA in solid ice, (4.1 x 10(-13)) +/- (2.5 x 10(-14)) m(2) s(-1), is derived to improve such MSA loss corrections.