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Data Set ID:
NSIDC-0093

Central West Antarctic Glaciochemistry from Ice Cores, Version 1

Glaciochemical and accumulation rate records developed from four ice cores in central West Antarctica are used to reconstruct former atmospheric circulation patterns in this region for the last 40 years with extended records (150-250 years) at two sites. The sites lie on a 200 km traverse from 82 degrees 22 minutes south, 119 degrees 17 minutes west to 81 degrees 22 minutes south, 107 degrees 17 minutes west, gaining elevation from 950 to 1930 m. The glaciochemical records represent the major ionic species present in Antarctic snow: sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, chloride, nitrate, and sulfate.

NSIDC does not archive these data.

Parameter(s):
  • Ice Core Records > Ions > Glaciochemistry
  • Snow/Ice > Snow Water Equivalent > SNOW WATER EQUIVALENT
Data Format(s):
  • ASCII
Spatial Coverage:
N: -80, 
S: -85, 
E: -105, 
W: -120
Platform(s):GROUND STATIONS
Spatial Resolution:Not SpecifiedSensor(s):CORING DEVICES
Temporal Coverage:
  • 1 January 1740 to 31 December 1994
  • 1 January 1994 to 31 December 1995
Version(s):V1
Temporal ResolutionNot specifiedMetadata XML:View Metadata Record
Data Contributor(s):David Reusch

Geographic Coverage
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Detailed Data Description

Central West Antarctic Glaciochemistry from Ice Cores

The glaciochemical records represent the major ionic species present in Antarctic snow: Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Cl-, NO3- and SO42-.

Table 1. Columns for the Central West Antarctic Glaciochemistry Data Files
Column 1 Top Depth (in meters)
Column 2 Bottom Depth (in meters)
Column 3 Top Time (in years before 2000 A.D.)
Column 4 Bottom Time (in years before 2000 A.D.)
Column 5 Mid Year (decimal year of midpoint of the specific section of core)
Column 6 Na+     Sodium (ppb - parts per billion)
Column 7 K+     Potassium (ppb)
Column 8 Mg2+     Magnesium (ppb)
Column 9 Ca2+     Calcium (ppb)
Column 10 Cl-     Chloride (ppb)
Column 11 NO3-     Nitrate (ppb)
Column 12 SO42-     Sulfate (ppb)
 

Figure 1 describes the approximate locations of ice cores plotted on a contour map covering the region 80-85 S latitude by 105-120 W longitude.

Figure 1. Locations of Ice Cores Plotted on a Contour Map
Background color on

References and Related Publications

The 40-year records were published in:

Reusch, D. B., P. A. Mayewski, S. I. Whitlow, I. I. Pittalwala and M. S. Twickler (1999). "Spatial Variability of Climate and Past Atmospheric Circulation Patterns from Central West Antarctic Glaciochemistry." Journal of Geophysical Research 104(D6): 5985-6001.

The longer records were published in:

Reusch, D. B., Recent Climate in Central West Antarctica Using Ice Cores, M.S. thesis, University of New Hampshire, Durham, 1997.

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