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Inclusions in ice layers formed by melting and refreezing processes in a Greenland ice core
- Source :
- Journal of Glaciology, Vol 69, Pp 790-802 (2023)
- Publication Year :
- 2023
- Publisher :
- Cambridge University Press, 2023.
-
Abstract
- In recent decades, surface melting on the inland Greenland ice sheet has increased, leading to significant meltwater-refreezing in the snow and firn. Increased knowledge of the physical and chemical characteristics of these melt features (i.e., ice layers) is needed to help estimate future global sea-level rise. Here, using a combination of microscopy and spectroscopy, we investigate the size, shape, location, and chemical compositions of inclusions in 12 ice layers of the SIGMA-A ice core in the northwestern Greenland ice sheet (78°03′06″N, 67°37′42″W, 1490 m a.s.l.). In the ice layers, we found inclusions exceeding 30 μm diameter that could only be formed by melting–refreezing, which we classify into columnar-, particle-, and rod-like inclusions. We propose that the smaller columnar- and particle-like inclusions of solid Na2SO4⋅10H2O and CaSO4⋅2H2O form first, within the ice grains, followed by the larger rod-like inclusions of brines with mainly Na+ and Cl− in grain boundaries. Our results suggest a new proxy that may help identify past warm climates in deeper ice cores in Greenland and for studying future ice sheet melting behavior.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00221430 and 17275652
- Volume :
- 69
- Database :
- Directory of Open Access Journals
- Journal :
- Journal of Glaciology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- edsdoj.569635bc169641e1840399375fa6569c
- Document Type :
- article
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1017/jog.2022.101