Methanesulfonic acid in coastal Antarctic snow related to sea-ice extent

Journal Article · Thu Mar 18 23:00:00 EST 1993 · Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/93GL00499· OSTI ID:6504136

Welch, K A; Mayewski, P A; Whitlow, S I ^[1]

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1. Univ. of New Hampshire, Durham (United States)

Proxy records of biogenic sulfur gas obtained from ice cores suggest that variability in marine biogenic sulfur emissions may reflect changes in climate. Increased sea-ice extent has previously been proposed as one cause of relatively high methanesulfonic acid (MSA) in glacial-age ice core samples. The authors have analyzed MSA, one of the oxidation products of the biogenic sulfur gas dimethylsulfide, from snowpit samples recovered from a coastal site in Southern Victoria Land, Antarctica. Time series of MSA correlate significantly with the longest continuous record available of Southern Ocean sea-ice extent (two decades).

• OSTI ID: 6504136
• Journal Information: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States), Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States) Vol. 20:6; ISSN GPRLAJ; ISSN 0094-8276
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120 -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
540220* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
540320 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
ANTARCTIC REGIONS
ANTARCTICA
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
BIOSPHERE
CRYOSPHERE
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELEMENTS
EMISSION
GLACIERS
ICE
NONMETALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
POLAR REGIONS
SEAS
SNOW
SULFUR
SURFACE WATERS
VARIATIONS