Frozen in time: the chemistry of polar ice cores

Wolff, E.W.. 2007 Frozen in time: the chemistry of polar ice cores. Environmental Chemistry Group Bulletin, July 2007. 3-6.

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Abstract/Summary

Predicting the future of our Earth and its climate requires models that contain good representations of the key processes that might take place. Our only way to determine what these processes are, and to test the models, is to look at the past. Numerous “palaeo” [Gk palaios ‘ancient’] archives exist, ranging from tree rings to marine sediments, but ice cores have played a crucial role in helping us to understand how the Earth works. For example, Greenland ice cores have shown us that extremely rapid climate changes centred in the North Atlantic region are possible, and that natural changes in concentrations of greenhouse gases and in climate have been closely linked in the past. Most of what is measured on ice cores is really chemistry. In this article, based on his 2007 ECG DGL, Dr Eric Wolff from the British Antarctic Survey, describes how ice cores work, and summarises some of the key findings that have emerged from measuring their chemistry.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Programmes:	BAS Programmes > Global Science in the Antarctic Context (2005-2009) > Climate and Chemistry - Forcings and Phasings in the Earth System
NORA Subject Terms:	Meteorology and Climatology Glaciology Chemistry
Date made live:	26 Oct 2011 13:51 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/11987

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Programmes:

BAS Programmes > Global Science in the Antarctic Context (2005-2009) > Climate and Chemistry - Forcings and Phasings in the Earth System

NORA Subject Terms:

Meteorology and Climatology
Glaciology
Chemistry

Date made live:

26 Oct 2011 13:51 +0 (UTC)

URI:

https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/11987