Methane Concentrations from the WAIS Divide Ice Core (WDC06A), 60 to 11,300 ybp

Summary

This data set contains a high-resolution history of atmospheric methane (CH₄) concentrations in parts per billion (ppb) from approximately 60 to 11,300 years before present (ybp), obtained in 2010 from West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) Divide Ice Core WDC06A. Gas age is derived from the WDC06A-5 ice age scale.

Data are available via FTP as a Microsoft Excel file (.xlsx).

Citing These Data

The following example shows how to cite the use of this data set in a publication. For more information, see our Use and Copyright Web page.

The following example shows how to cite the use of this data set in a publication. List the principal investigators, year the data set was released, data set title, publisher: NSIDC, and digital media:

Sowers, T. 2012. Methane Concentrations from the WAIS Divide Ice Core (WDC06A), 60 to 11,300 ybp. Boulder, CO, USA: National Snow and Ice Data Center. http://dx.doi.org/10.7265/N5J1013R.

Overview Table

Category	Description
Data format	Microsoft Excel (.xlsx)
Spatial coverage and resolution	Southernmost Latitude: 79° 28.058' S Northernmost Latitude: 79° 28.058' S Westernmost Longitude: 112° 05.189' W Easternmost Longitude: 112° 05.189' W
Temporal coverage and resolution	60 to 11,300 ybp
File naming convention	WDC06AHoloceneCH4Sowers.xlsx
File size	52 KB
Parameter(s)	Depth (meters below surface) Gas Age (years before present) CH4 (parts per billion)
Procedures for obtaining data	Available via FTP

Table of Contents

1. Contacts and Acknowledgments
2. Detailed Data Description
3. Data Access and Tools
4. Data Acquisition and Processing
5. References and Related Publications
6. Document Information

1. Contacts and Acknowledgments

Investigator

Dr. Todd Sowers
Earth and Environmental Systems Institute
The Pennsylvania State University
2217 EES Building
University Park, PA 16802

Technical Contact

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by National Science Foundation (NSF) Office of Polar Programs Antarctic Sciences Division award number 0538538.

2. Detailed Data Description

Format

Data are available as a Microsoft Excel file (.xlsx).

File and Directory Structure

Data can be obtained via FTP from ftp://sidads.colorado.edu/pub/DATASETS/AGDC/nsidc0509_sowers_V01/.

File Naming Convention

This data set consists of one file:

WDC06AHoloceneCH4Sowers.xlsx

File Size

The file for this data set is 52 KB.

Spatial Coverage

Data were obtained from WAIS Divide Ice Core WDC06A, located at:

Southernmost Latitude: 79° 28.058' S
Northernmost Latitude: 79° 28.058' S
Westernmost Longitude: 112° 05.189' W
Easternmost Longitude: 112° 05.189' W

Temporal Coverage

This data set contains 505 measurements spanning approximately 60 to 11,300 years before present (years before 1950).

Parameter or Variable

Parameters are Depth (meters below surface), Gas Age (years before present), and CH₄ concentration (parts per billion).

Sample Data Record

The following example shows sample data from WDC06AHoloceneCH4Sowers.xlsx:

Depth	Gas Age	[CH4]
91.48	62.93441900	853.929588759594
91.53	63.15822736	856.330432301341
91.58	63.38203572	853.401925852756
91.63	63.60584408	864.448696075876
91.73	64.05346080	850.957328888765

3. Data Access and Tools

Data Access

Data are available via FTP

Volume

The total volume of the data set is 52 KB

Software and Tools

The data can be accessed using standard spreadsheet software.

Related Data Collections

• Methane Concentration and Chronology from the WAIS Divide Ice Core (WDC05A)
• Methane Isotopes from the WAIS Divide Ice Core (WDC05A)

4. Data Acquisition and Processing

Data Source

For more information about the West Antarctic Ice Sheet Divide Ice Core, visit the WAIS Divide Ice Core project site.

Derivation Techniques and Algorithms

Methane concentrations were measured using a gas chromatograph equipped with a flame ionization detector. Measurements were corrected for gravity assuming constant δ¹⁵N = 0.3‰, and by +7 ppb as dictated by intercalibration between The Ohio State University and The Pennsylvania State University. Gas ages were calculated by subtracting 208 years from the WDC06A-5 ice age scale to account for the gas age-ice age difference (assumed constant for the Holocene).

5. References and Related Publications

Sowers, T. 2010. Atmospheric Methane Isotope Records Covering the Holocene Period. Quaternary Science Reviews 29, doi:10.1016/j.quascirev.2009.05.023.

6. Document Information

The following acronyms are used in this document:

Acronym	Description
YBP	Years Before Present
PPB	Parts Per Billion
WAIS	West Antarctic Ice Sheet

Document Creation Date

April 2012

Document URL

http://nsidc.org/data/docs/agdc/nsidc0509_sowers/index.html