This data set contains concentrations of soluble chemical species (ions) within a 120 m ice core retrieved at the South Pole station in 2001. The ice core was dated with annual resolution using annual layer counting. Investigators measured chemical species, ions, and volcanic deposits found in the cores. The analysis was conducted at South Dakota State University between 2001 and 2003. Data are available in Microsoft Excel or ASCII text format via FTP from NSIDC.
Get Data
DOWNLOADING DATA VIA FTP
Data can be downloaded through a Web browser or command line via FTP. When using a Web browser, the FTP link first directs you to an Optional Registration Form that if filled out, will allow you to receive notifications about updates or processing changes related to that specific data set. After completing the Optional Registration Form, the FTP directory becomes available. For additional help downloading data through an FTP client, go to the How to access data using an FTP client support page.
Sulfate-Based Volcanic Record from South Pole Ice Core, Version 1
Geographic Coverage
Spatial Coverage: |
|
---|---|
Spatial Resolution: | Not Specified |
Temporal Coverage: | Not specified |
Temporal Resolution: | Not specified |
Parameter(s): |
|
Platform(s) | GROUND-BASED OBSERVATIONS |
Sensor(s): | ION CHROMATOGRAPHS |
Data Format(s): |
|
Version: | V1 |
Data Contributor(s): | Jihong Cole-Dai |
Metadata XML: | View Metadata Record |
Data Citation
As a condition of using these data, you must cite the use of this data set using the following citation. For more information, see our Use and Copyright Web page.
Cole-Dai, J. 2004. Sulfate-Based Volcanic Record from South Pole Ice Core, Version 1. [Indicate subset used]. Boulder, Colorado USA. NSIDC: National Snow and Ice Data Center. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.7265/N5CR5R88. [Date Accessed].Detailed Data Description
The goal of this project was to analyze shallow (~150 m) ice cores from South Pole to construct an annually resolved, sulfate-based volcanic record covering the last 1400 years. Two shallow ice cores were recovered at the South Pole during the 2000/2001 field season.
Volcanic records from polar ice cores provide valuable information for studies of the connection between volcanism and climate. The information from these records can verify the volcanic events found in the few existing Antarctic records and resolve discrepancies in the timing and magnitude of major explosive eruptions determined from those earlier records.
Data are provided in a Microsoft Excel file and as an ASCII text file.
90°S
Temporal coverage is from 905 A.D. to 2000 A.D.
Temporal Resolution
Data are given in yearly increments.
This study measures the chemical species, ions, and volcanic deposits in the ice cores.
Parameter Description
Unit of Measurement
Concentrations are given in both microequivalent per liter (ueq/l) and microgram per liter (ug/l) or ppb.
Parameter Range
Information (identification, depth) and data for each sample are presented in the same row.
The following table describes the columns in the data file. Note that concentrations for each element are given first in microequivalent per liter (ueq/l) and then in microgram per liter (ug/l) or ppb.
Column | Description |
---|---|
Sample# | The number assigned to a sample. |
Year Start | The start of the year sampled. |
Year-# | Where there are multiple samples in a year, this is the number of sample within the given year. |
Depth WEQ M (TOP) | Water equivalent at the top of the sample |
Depth WEQ M (Mid) | Water equivalent at the midpoint of the sample |
Size cm | Size (in cm) of the sample. |
Depth (TOP) M | Depth at the top of the sample in meters |
Depth (MIDDLE) M | Depth at the middle of the sample in meters |
Density (MIDDLE) kg/cm3 | |
MSA | Methane sulfonic acid or Methanesulphonate |
Cl | Chlorine |
NO3 | Nitrate |
SO4 | Sulfate ion |
Na | Sodium |
NH4 | Ammonium chloride |
K | Potassium |
Mg | Magnesium |
Ca | Calcium |
Na/Cl | Sodium chloride |
Sample Data Record
The following sample is taken from the data file:
Sample# | Year Start | Year-# | Depth WEQ M (TOP) | Depth WEQ M (Mid) | Size cm | Depth (TOP) M | Depth (MID) M |
Density (MID) kg/cm3 |
MSA ueq/l | Cl ueq/l | NO3 ueq/l | SO4 ueq/l | Na ueq/l | NH4 ueq/l | K ueq/l | Mg ueq/l | Ca ueq/l | Na/Cl ueq/l | MSA ug/l | NO3 ug/l |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T001-1 | 2000 | 2000-1 | 0.0000 | 0.0185 | 11.00 | 0.57 | 0.63 | 3.36E-04 | 0.072 | 0.860 | 4.797 | 0.900 | 0.502 | 0.230 | 0.120 | 0.232 | 0.567 | 0.584 | 6.81 | 297.44 |
T001-2 | 2000-2 | 0.0369 | 0.0504 | 8.00 | 0.68 | 0.72 | 3.37E-04 | 0.173 | 1.043 | 1.878 | 0.551 | 0.445 | 0.118 | 0.040 | 0.270 | 0.327 | 0.427 | 16.42 | 116.43 | |
T001-3 | 2000-3 | 0.0639 | 0.0775 | 8.00 | 0.76 | 0.80 | 3.39E-04 | 0.251 | 0.584 | 1.801 | 0.492 | 0.320 | 0.055 | 0.019 | 0.238 | 0.370 | 0.548 | 23.84 | 111.64 | |
T001-4 | 2000-4 | 0.0910 | 0.1016 | 6.25 | 0.84 | 0.87 | 3.40E-04 | 0.112 | 1.296 | 1.870 | 0.669 | 0.505 | 0.171 | 0.021 | 0.291 | 0.328 | 0.390 | 10.69 | 115.97 | |
T001-5 | 2000-5 | 0.1122 | 0.1229 | 6.25 | 0.90 | 0.93 | 3.41E-04 | 0.102 | 0.932 | 1.975 | 0.722 | 0.864 | 0.324 | 0.269 | 0.363 | 0.595 | 0.927 | 9.69 | 122.44 | |
T001-6 | 1999 | 1999-1 | 0.1335 | 0.1442 | 6.25 | 0.97 | 1.00 | 3.42E-04 | 0.593 | 0.829 | 2.111 | 0.646 | 0.209 | 0.530 | 0.017 | 0.328 | 0.239 | 0.253 | 56.41 | 130.87 |
A few samples were contaminated. Concentration data fields are left blank for contaminated samples.
Software and Tools
Data Acquisition and Processing
Discrete or individual ice core samples were cut lengthwise from the 120 m core and analyzed for ion concentrations by ion chromatography.
References and Related Publications
Contacts and Acknowledgments
Jihong Cole-Dai
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
South Dakota State University
This work was accomplished under the National Science Federation (NSF) grant # 0087151.
Document Information
DOCUMENT CREATION DATE
January 2004
Access complete Knowledge Base
Questions? Please contact:NSIDC User Services
Phone: 1 303 492-6199
Email: nsidc@nsidc.org