Observations of polar ice from the Holocene and the glacial period using the scanning electron microscope

Barnes, Piers R.F.; Mulvaney, Robert ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5372-8148; Robinson, Kenneth; Wolff, Eric W.. 2002 Observations of polar ice from the Holocene and the glacial period using the scanning electron microscope. Annals of Glaciology, 35. 559-566. https://doi.org/10.3189/172756402781816735

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Abstract/Summary

Samples taken from the Dome C ice core, Antarctica, and the GRIP ice core, Greenland, are examined using the scanning electron microscope to determine their microstructure. In both cores, samples are taken from two differing climatic periods: the Holocene and the last glacial period. Many of the usual features observed in similar samples under the light microscope are observed, including: bubbles, grain boundaries and clathrate hydrates. Features not resolvable using the light microscope are also found. Dust particles are found in situ. Eighty-five per cent of those observed contained silicon, which was generally associated with aluminium and magnesium. An estimation is made of the relative proportions of dust particles located at grain boundaries and in the bulk of the ice grain. At Dome C a higher proportion than expected from a random distribution of particles was found located at grain boundaries, although in Greenland this was not found to be the case for most samples. Direct evidence is also presented indicating the role of dust particles and microscopical inclusions in impeding or "pinning" grain-boundary migration. Soluble impurities are also detected at some triple junctions and grain boundaries.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.3189/172756402781816735
Programmes:	BAS Programmes > Antarctic Science in the Global Context (2000-2005) > Signals in Antarctica of Past Global Changes
ISSN:	0260-3055
NORA Subject Terms:	Meteorology and Climatology Glaciology Chemistry
Date made live:	20 Sep 2011 15:09 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/13161

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