Collaborative Research: Sample Analysis to Test a Novel Method of Determining Atmospheric Deposition of Trace Elements to the Ocean/Ice System of the Arctic

研究人员提议使用自然存在的同位素铍-7作为示踪剂，估计各种痕量元素在北冰洋表面的大气通量。铍-7是大气中由宇宙射线产生的，半衰期为53.3天。在准备这项提案的同时，他们通过一项国际合作收集了雪、海冰、地表水和大气气溶胶的样本。该项目为Be-7的分析以及铝、锰、铁、铜、锌、镉和铅等微量元素的分析提供资金。许多化学物质向全球海洋的大气输入已被证明等于或超过来自河流来源的大气输入。在北极，几种污染物元素尤其以大气来源为主，对北极生态系统和人类健康有影响。该项目将调查国际GEOTRACES计划感兴趣的几个元素，该计划目前正在制定协调北极工作的计划。该项目将支持一名博士生，他将把这些结果纳入他的论文中。

The investigators propose to use the naturally occurring isotope beryllium-7, which is produced in the atmosphere by cosmic rays and has a 53.3-day half-life, as a tracer for estimating the atmospheric fluxes of a variety of trace elements to the surface of the Arctic Ocean. They have collected samples of snow, sea ice, surface waters, and atmospheric aerosols through an international collaboration concurrent with the preparation of this proposal. This project provides funding for the analysis of Be-7 and for trace elements including aluminum, manganese, iron, cupper, zinc, cadmium, and lead. The atmospheric input of numerous chemical species into the global ocean has been shown to equal or exceed that from river sources. In the Arctic, several contaminant elements in particular are dominated by atmospheric sources, with implications for the Arctic ecosystem and human health. The project will investigate several elements of interest to the international GEOTRACES program, which is currently formulating plans for coordinated Arctic work. The project will support a Ph.D. student who will incorporate these results into his dissertation.