Automated ice-core layer-counting with strong univariate signals

Wheatley, J.J.; Blackwell, P.G.; Abram, N.J.; McConnell, J.R.; Thomas, E.R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3010-6493; Wolff, E.W.. 2012 Automated ice-core layer-counting with strong univariate signals. Climate of the Past, 8 (6). 1869-1879. 10.5194/cp-8-1869-2012

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Abstract/Summary

We present an automated process for determining the annual layer chronology of an ice-core with a strong annual signal, utilising the hydrogen peroxide record from an Antarctic Peninsula ice-core as a test signal on which to count annual cycles and explain the methods. The signal is de-trended and normalised before being split into sections with a deterministic cycle count and those that need more attention. Possible reconstructions for the uncertain sections are determined which could be used as a visual aid for manual counting, and a simple method for assigning probability measures to each reconstruction is discussed. The robustness of this process is explored by applying it to versions of two different chemistry signals from the same stretch of the NGRIP (North Greenland Ice Core Project) ice-core, which shows more variation in annual layer thickness, with and without thinning to mimic poorer quality data. An adapted version of these methods is applied to the more challenging non-sea-salt sulphur signal from the same Antarctic Peninsula core from which the hydrogen peroxide signal was taken. These methods could readily be adapted for use on much longer datasets, thereby reducing manual effort and providing a robust automated layer-counting methodology.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.5194/cp-8-1869-2012
Programmes:	BAS Programmes > Polar Science for Planet Earth (2009 - ) > Chemistry and Past Climate
ISSN:	1814-9324
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	Open access journal This work is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License together with an author copyright. This license does not conflict with the regulations of the Crown Copyright.
NORA Subject Terms:	Chemistry
Date made live:	04 Jul 2012 07:08 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/18405

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