Paleoclimate from Mount Everest Ice Cores

本研究的主要目的是分析2001年春季中美联合研究小组采集的三个冰芯。当时，在海拔6500米的东荣北（ERC）冰川上发现了117米长的冰芯。除了这些分析之外，研究人员还将参加一个中美联合考察队，到该地区检索现代冰川学和气象数据，以帮助解释冰芯数据。根据当地的累积速率和层变薄估计，新的117米ERC岩心可能代表了至少几个世纪的雪沉积。因此，研究人员有机会从该地区开发一种校准的、高分辨率的古气候记录，这将补充以前在珠穆朗玛峰和中亚进行的古气候研究。对冰芯的分析将集中于产生主要离子浓度（即氯化物、硝酸盐、硫酸盐、钙、镁、钠、钾和铵）、稳定同位素比率（即氧和氘）和总元素浓度（即铁、铝、钙和硫）的详细时间序列。这些数据将用于开发：—该地区晚全新世气候变化的高分辨率时间序列，涉及大气环流、温度和降水，以及—生物质燃烧、沙尘暴、人为污染物以及海洋和大陆生物源生产力的详细环境记录。对冰芯的分析可以增加我们对一个影响世界人口稠密地区的重要天气系统的大气动力学的理解。中美两国科学界同仁的互动与合作将增强成功的前景。

The primary goal of this research is to analyze three ice cores collected by a joint Chinese-US team of researchers in the spring of 2001. At that time, a 117-meter ice core was recovered from the East Rongbuk (ERC) glacier at 6500 meters above sea level. In addition to these analyses, the researchers will participate in a joint Chinese-US expedition to the region to retrieve modern day glaciological and meteorological data to aid in the interpretation of the ice core data.Based on local accumulation rates and layer thinning estimates, the new 117-meter ERC core likely represents at least several centuries of snow deposition. Thus, the researchers have the opportunity to develop a calibrated, high-resolution paleoclimate record from the region that will complement previous paleoclimatological research from Mt. Everest and Central Asia.The analysis of the ice cores will focus on producing a detailed time-series of major ion concentrations (i.e., chloride, nitrate, sulfate, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium and ammonium), stable isotope ratios (i.e., oxygen and deuterium), and total element concentration (i.e., iron, aluminum, calcium, and sulfur). These data will be used to develop:-- high-resolution time series of Late Holocene climate variability for the region involving atmospheric circulation, temperature, and precipitation, and -- detailed environmental records of biomass burning, dust storms, anthropogenic pollutants, and marine and continental biogenic source productivity. The analyses of the ice cores could increase our understanding of the atmospheric dynamics of an important weather system that impacts a heavily populated region of the world. The interaction and cooperation of scientific colleagues from the United States and China will enhance the prospects for success.