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Title: Heavy metals in Antarctic ice from Law Dome: Initial results

Journal Article · · Environmental Research
 [1];  [1];  [2];  [3]
  1. Domaine Univ., Saint Martin d`Heres (France). Lab. de Glaciologie et Geophysique de l`Environnement
  2. Univ. of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania (Australia). Inst. of Antarctic and Southern Ocean Studies
  3. Antarctic CRC and Australian Antarctic Div., Hobart, Tasmania (Australia)

Pb, Cd, Cu, and Zn have been measured using ultraclean procedures in eight sections taken from two well-dated ice cores from Law Dome, an independent small size ice cap with high accumulation rate situated in the coastal area of East Antarctica. Seven sections were dated from the 1830s to 1940s and one was dated from three millennia ago. The data show that there are strong seasonal variations in the concentrations of Pb and Cd, with values {approximately} two- to four-fold higher in winter than in spring-summer. Evaluation of the contributions from the different sources suggests that contribution from sea salt spray is relatively important, especially for Cd. Contribution from marine biogenic emissions could also be very significant. The importance of marine contributions is consistent with strong intrusions of marine air masses at this coastal site, especially during wintertime.

OSTI ID:
655432
Journal Information:
Environmental Research, Vol. 78, Issue 2; Other Information: PBD: Aug 1998
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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