Major Ion Chemistry of WAIS Divide Ice Core

COLE-DAI0538553该奖项支持一个项目，该项目将通过开发新的仪器和分析方法来测量主要离子(Cl-、NO3-、SO42-、Na、K、NH4、Mg2、Ca2)的浓度，从而为美国西南极冰盖冰芯(WAIS Divide)项目做出贡献。南达科他州立大学(SDSU)最近开发了一种基于熔体的、连续流动的多离子色谱仪技术(CFA-IC)。该项目将进一步扩大和改进CFA-IC技术和仪器，并开发冰芯中主要离子的常规分析程序。此外，将通过该项目完成对人员(操作员)进行连续的、高分辨率的深部离子分析的培训。随着CFA-IC技术的充分发展，主要离子测量的时间分辨率将低至0.5厘米。根据这一决议，将有可能使用硫酸盐和海盐离子浓度的年度循环来确定WAIS分隔冰芯的年层。使用CFA-IC化学测量和其他高分辨率测量的年度层计数将大大有助于WAIS Divide项目的主要目标，即准确地(即每年)产生日期确定的气候记录。该项目将支持研究和教育的融合，培养未来的科学家，并通过研究生和本科生的参与促进人力资源开发。特别是，本科生的参与将有助于SDSU目前的REU(本科生研究经验)化学现场项目。多用户仪器的开发和利用将促进研究合作，促进环境科学的发展。国家科学基金会对SDSU的支持将有助于南达科他州的经济发展和加强研究和教育的基础设施。

Cole-Dai0538553 This award supports a project that will contribute to the US West Antarctica Ice Sheet Ice Divide ice core (WAIS Divide) project by developing new instrumentation and analytical procedures to measure concentrations of major ions (Cl-, NO3-, SO42-, Na+, K+, NH4+, Mg2+, Ca2+). A melter-based, continuous flow, multi-ion-chromatograph technique (CFA-IC) has been developed recently at South Dakota State University (SDSU). This project will further expand and improve the CFA-IC technique and instrumentation and develop procedures for routine analysis of major ions in ice cores. In addition, training of personnel (operators) to perform continuous, high resolution major ion analysis of the deep core will be accomplished through this project. The temporal resolution of the major ion measurement will be as low as 0.5 cm with the fully developed CFA-IC technique. At this resolution, it will be possible to use annual cycles of sulfate and sea-salt ion concentrations to determine annual layers in the WAIS Divide ice core. Annual layer counting using CFA-IC chemical measurements and other high resolution measurements will contribute significantly to the major WAIS Divide project objective of producing precisely (i.e., annually) dated climate records. The project will support the integration of research and education, train future scientists and promote human resource development through the participation of graduate and undergraduate students. In particular, undergraduate participation will contribute to a current REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates) chemistry site program at SDSU. Development and utilization of multi-user instrumentation will promote research collaboration and advance environmental science. NSF support for SDSU will contribute to the economic development and strengthen the infrastructure for research and education in South Dakota.