Organic Compounds in a Sub-Antarctic Ice Core: A Potential Suite of Sea Ice Markers.
28 Aug 2019-Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union (AGU))-Vol. 46, Iss: 16, pp 9930-9939
TL;DR: The potential application of organic compounds from the marine biosphere in generating multiproxy sea ice records is demonstrated, which is critical in improving the authors' understanding of past sea ice changes.
Abstract: Investigation of organic compounds in ice cores can potentially unlock a wealth of new information in these climate archives. We present results from the first ever ice core drilled on sub‐Antarctic island Bouvet, representing a climatologically important but understudied region. We analyze a suite of novel and more familiar organic compounds in the ice core, alongside commonly measured ions. Methanesulfonic acid shows a significant, positive correlation to winter sea ice concentration, as does a fatty acid compound, oleic acid. Both may be sourced from spring phytoplankton blooms, which are larger following greater sea ice extent in the preceding winter. Oxalate, formate, and acetate are positively correlated to sea ice concentration in summer, but sources of these require further investigation. This study demonstrates the potential application of organic compounds from the marine biosphere in generating multiproxy sea ice records, which is critical in improving our understanding of past sea ice changes.
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01 Dec 2017
230 citations
04 Dec 2019
TL;DR: In this article, the authors collate published records of Antarctic sea ice over the past 2000 years (2 ka) and explore the potential of combining marine and ice core records to produce multi-archive reconstructions.
Abstract: Dramatic changes in sea ice have been observed in both poles in recent decades. However, the observational period for sea ice is short, and the climate models tasked with predicting future change in sea ice struggle to capture the current Antarctic trends. Paleoclimate archives, from marine sedimentary records and coastal Antarctic ice cores, provide a means of understanding sea ice variability and its drivers over decadal to centennial timescales. In this study, we collate published records of Antarctic sea ice over the past 2000 years (2 ka). We evaluate the current proxies and explore the potential of combining marine and ice core records to produce multi-archive reconstructions. Despite identifying 92 sea ice reconstructions, the spatial and temporal resolution is only sufficient to reconstruct circum-Antarctic sea ice during the 20th century, not the full 2 ka. Our synthesis reveals a 90 year trend of increasing sea ice in the Ross Sea and declining sea ice in the Bellingshausen, comparable with observed trends since 1979. Reconstructions in the Weddell Sea, the Western Pacific and the Indian Ocean reveal small negative trends in sea ice during the 20th century (1900–1990), in contrast to the observed sea ice expansion in these regions since 1979.
38 citations
Cites background from "Organic Compounds in a Sub-Antarcti..."
..., (2019) [34] found a direct positive correlation between oleic acid and SIC in the region of Bouvet Island....
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...Oleic acid, a fatty acid found in marine diatoms, has been isolated in an ice core from Bouvet Island [34]....
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...Oleic acid, a short-chain unsaturated fatty acid, is a constituent of cell membranes in phytoplankton and has now been investigated in ice cores from Alaska [67], Greenland, [68], and the sub-Antarctic [34]....
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...A positive correlation is observed between oleic acid and MSA in Alaska while King et al., (2019) [34] found a direct positive correlation between oleic acid and SIC in the region of Bouvet Island....
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...oxalate and formate to the presence of a local Adelie penguin populations in coastal Antarctic ice samples, while in the sub-Antarctic [34] a summertime correlation between oxalate and SIC is related to both penguin emissions and a cloud-based photo-oxidation processes....
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TL;DR: In this paper, a global comparison of atmospheric reconstructions from organic matter (OM) across vast spatiotemporal scales is presented, using polar ice core organic matter fluorescence signatures to reconstruct ancient and modern atmospheric compositions.
Abstract: We present polar ice core organic matter (OM) fluorescence signatures to reconstruct ancient and modern atmospheric compositions and relate OM signals to past ecological changes. OM composition from three Arctic ice cores (Canada and Greenland) was characterized by fluorescence spectroscopy and compared to an Antarctic OM record. Diverse OM was measured in ancient and modern ice in both hemispheres and similarities existed across vast spatiotemporal scales. We determined three OM markers, indicating paleoclimate and modern carbon trends: (i) ‘humic-like’, detected in Holocene ice of more complex and aromatic character, supporting trends of higher plant influences in warmer climates, (ii) monolignol- and non-amino acid-like, describing simple, lignin-like OM precursors ubiquitous in the environment and the microbial degradation products of more complex materials from plants/soils, and (iii) amino acid- and tannin-like, indicating microbial degradation of simple OM chemical species, compared to the other markers. Concentration trends were inferred from fluorescence intensities of individual OM types and related to warmer temperatures. No indicators of freshly produced OM by microbes were detected; signals were interpreted as materials externally produced from the ice and transported to polar regions. This marks the first global comparison of atmospheric reconstructions from OM across vast spatiotemporal scales.
9 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors presented melt histories and density profiles from shallow ice (firn) cores, sampled from three sub-Antarctic islands and two Antarctic coastal domes.
Abstract: . The sub-Antarctic is one of the most data-sparse regions on earth. A number
of glaciated Antarctic and sub-Antarctic islands have the potential to
provide unique ice core records of past climate, atmospheric circulation, and
sea ice. However, very little is known about the glaciology of these remote
islands or their vulnerability to warming atmospheric temperature. Here we
present melt histories and density profiles from shallow ice (firn) cores
(14 to 24 m) drilled on three sub-Antarctic islands and two Antarctic
coastal domes. Additionally, complementary ground-penetrating radar (GPR)
data were collected to further characterize each site and assess the spatial
distribution of the observed melt layers. This study includes the first ever
firn cores from Bouvet Island (54 ∘ 25 ′ 19 ′′ S, 03 ∘ 23 ′ 27 ′′ E) in the South
Atlantic, from Peter I Island (68 ∘ 51 ′ 05 ′′ S, 90 ∘ 30 ′ 35 ′′ W) in the
Bellingshausen Sea, and from Young Island (66 ∘ 31 ′ 44 ′′ S, 162 ∘ 33 ′ 21 ′′ E) in the Ross Sea sector's Balleny island chain.
Despite their sub-Antarctic location, surface melt is low at most sites
(melt layers account for ∼ 10 % of total core), with
undisturbed ice layers in the upper ∼ 40 m, suggesting minimal
impact of meltwater percolation. The exception is Young Island, where melt
layers account for 47 % of the firn core. Surface snow densities range
from 0.47 to 0.52 kg m −3 , with close-off depths ranging from 21 to 51 m. Based on the measured density, we estimate that the bottom ages of a 100 m ice core drilled on Peter 1 Island would reach ∼ 1856
CE and ∼ 1874 CE at Young Island.
7 citations
01 Sep 2021
TL;DR: In this paper, the stable water isotopes, major ion chemistry, and dust records from the first ice core from the (sub-)Antarctic Young Island were presented and compared with estimated precipitation rates from reanalysis data (ERA5) and volcanic cryptotephra shards likely presenting an absolute tie point from a 2001 CE eruption on neighboring Sturge Island.
Abstract: The climate of the sub-Antarctic is important in understanding the environmental conditions of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. However, regional climate proxy records from this region are scarce. In this study, we present the stable water isotopes, major ion chemistry, and dust records from the first ice core from the (sub-)Antarctic Young Island. We present and discuss various dating approaches based on commonly used ice core proxies, such as stable water isotopes and seasonally deposited ions, together with site-specific characteristics such as melt layers. The dating approaches are compared with estimated precipitation rates from reanalysis data (ERA5) and volcanic cryptotephra shards likely presenting an absolute tie point from a 2001 CE eruption on neighboring Sturge Island. The resulting ice core age scale spans the period 2016 to 1995, with an uncertainty of ±2 years.
5 citations
Cites background from "Organic Compounds in a Sub-Antarcti..."
...They have provided reliable seasonal signals at several coastal Antarctic ice core sites [58] and on the only other annually dated sub-Antarctic island site at Bouvet Island [6], here the S −, S 42−, and Br− concentration were fundamental in developing the age scale....
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...They have provided reliable seasonal signals at several coastal Antarctic ice core sites [58] and on the only other annually dated sub-Antarctic island site at Bouvet Island [6], here the S −, S 42−, and Br− concentration were fundamental in developing the age scale....
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...They have provided reliable seasonal signals at several coastal Antarctic ice core sites [58] and on the only other annually dated sub-Antarctic island site at Bouvet Island [6], where the MSA−, SO42−, and Br− concentration were fundamental in developing the age scale....
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...They have provided reliable seasonal signals at several coastal Antarctic ice core sites [58] and on the only other annually dated sub-Antarctic island site at Bouvet Island [6], where the MSA−, SO4, and Br− concentration were fundamental in developing the age scale....
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..., of position and strength of westerly winds and regional sea ice extent [2,6]....
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References
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TL;DR: A survey of available computer programs for factor analytic computations and a analysis of the problems of the application of computers to factor analysis.
Abstract: more stodgy and less exciting application of computers to psychological problems. Let me warn you about how I am going to talk today. I have not conducted a survey of available computer programs for factor analytic computations, nor have I done an analysis of the problems of the application of computers to factor analysis in any way that could be considered scientific. I am saying that I shall ask you to listen to my opinions about the applications of computers to factor
9,914 citations
"Organic Compounds in a Sub-Antarcti..." refers methods in this paper
...Significance of components was decided based on Kaiser's Rule (Kaiser, 1960)....
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University of Gothenburg1, University College Cork2, Paul Scherrer Institute3, Weizmann Institute of Science4, Chalmers University of Technology5, Norwegian Meteorological Institute6, University of Antwerp7, Carnegie Mellon University8, Centre national de la recherche scientifique9, University of Lyon10, University of California, Berkeley11, University of York12, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology13, University of Mainz14, University of Florida15, University of Colorado Boulder16, Forschungszentrum Jülich17, Ghent University18, University of Manchester19, Aix-Marseille University20, California Institute of Technology21
TL;DR: In this article, an overview of the atmospheric degradation mechanisms for SOA precursors, gas-particle partitioning theory and analytical techniques used to determine the chemical composition of SOA is presented.
Abstract: Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) accounts for a significant fraction of ambient tropospheric aerosol and a detailed knowledge of the formation, properties and transformation of SOA is therefore required to evaluate its impact on atmospheric processes, climate and human health. The chemical and physical processes associated with SOA formation are complex and varied, and, despite considerable progress in recent years, a quantitative and predictive understanding of SOA formation does not exist and therefore represents a major research challenge in atmospheric science. This review begins with an update on the current state of knowledge on the global SOA budget and is followed by an overview of the atmospheric degradation mechanisms for SOA precursors, gas-particle partitioning theory and the analytical techniques used to determine the chemical composition of SOA. A survey of recent laboratory, field and modeling studies is also presented. The following topical and emerging issues are highlighted and discussed in detail: molecular characterization of biogenic SOA constituents, condensed phase reactions and oligomerization, the interaction of atmospheric organic components with sulfuric acid, the chemical and photochemical processing of organics in the atmospheric aqueous phase, aerosol formation from real plant emissions, interaction of atmospheric organic components with water, thermodynamics and mixtures in atmospheric models. Finally, the major challenges ahead in laboratory, field and modeling studies of SOA are discussed and recommendations for future research directions are proposed.
3,324 citations
"Organic Compounds in a Sub-Antarcti..." refers background in this paper
...Although isoprene and terpenes are known to have marine sources, they are minor in comparison to terrestrial sources (Hallquist et al., 2009)....
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University of Colorado Boulder1, Carnegie Mellon University2, Paul Scherrer Institute3, University at Albany, SUNY4, University of California, Berkeley5, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology6, State University of New York System7, University of California, Davis8, University of Eastern Finland9, Finnish Meteorological Institute10, University of Helsinki11, Stockholm University12, Texas A&M University13, Max Planck Society14, University of Tokyo15, University of New Hampshire16, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration17
TL;DR: A unifying model framework describing the atmospheric evolution of OA that is constrained by high–time-resolution measurements of its composition, volatility, and oxidation state is presented, which can serve as a basis for improving parameterizations in regional and global models.
Abstract: Organic aerosol (OA) particles affect climate forcing and human health, but their sources and evolution remain poorly characterized. We present a unifying model framework describing the atmospheric evolution of OA that is constrained by high-time-resolution measurements of its composition, volatility, and oxidation state. OA and OA precursor gases evolve by becoming increasingly oxidized, less volatile, and more hygroscopic, leading to the formation of oxygenated organic aerosol (OOA), with concentrations comparable to those of sulfate aerosol throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Our model framework captures the dynamic aging behavior observed in both the atmosphere and laboratory: It can serve as a basis for improving parameterizations in regional and global models.
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TL;DR: Enzymic studies, radiolabeling, and electron microscopy will be needed to reveal the mode of biogenesis of the wax constituents and their site of formation and subsequent pathway through the cuticle to the leaf surface.
Abstract: The external surface of the higher plants comprises a cuticular layer covered by a waxy deposit. This deposit is believed to play a major part in such phenomena as the water balance of plants and the behavior of agricultural sprays. The wax contains a wide range of organic compounds. These complex mixtures are amenable to modern microchromatographic and microspectrometric analytical procedures. The few surveys which have been made of the species distribution of certain classes of constituents indicate that such distribution may be of limited taxonomic value; however, the wax composition of a species may differ for different parts of the same plant and may vary with season, locale, and the age of the plant. This fascinating subject, in which the disciplines of botany, biochemistry, chemistry, and physics overlap and interact, is still in a very active state. Much remains to be learned about the composition and fine structure of the wax deposits, and, for this, experimental study of wax crystallization and permeation through artificial membranes will be required. Enzymic studies, radiolabeling, and electron microscopy will be needed to reveal the mode of biogenesis of the wax constituents and their site of formation and subsequent pathway through the cuticle to the leaf surface.
2,381 citations
"Organic Compounds in a Sub-Antarcti..." refers background in this paper
...It is not surprising that long‐chain fatty acids (C27–C30), indicative of terrestrial sources (Eglinton & Hamilton, 1967; as opposed to shorter‐chain fatty acids (C < 27) indicative of marine sources), were not detected in the ice, this being such a remote marine location....
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TL;DR: In this paper, the chemical composition of meat smoke aerosol is examined by high-resolution gas chromatography and gaseous chromatography/mass spectrometry, and the objective is to search for molecular markers that will confirm the presence of meats smoke in urban atmospheric samples.
Abstract: Meat cooking operations are a major source of organic
aerosol emissions to the urban atmosphere, comprising up
to 21 % of the primary fine organic carbon particle emissions
in the Los Angeles area. In the present study, the
chemical composition of meat smoke aerosol is examined
by high-resolution gas chromatography and gas chromatography/
mass spectrometry. The objective is to search
for molecular markers that will confirm the presence of
meat smoke aerosol in urban atmospheric samples. More
than 75 organic compounds are quantified, including the
series of the n-alkanes, n-alkanoic acids, n-alkenoic acids,
dicarboxylic acids, n-alkanals, n-alkenals, n-alkanones,
n-alkanols, furans, lactones, amides, nitriles, polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons, steroids, and pesticide residues.
Prominent among the compounds emitted are n-hexadecanoic
acid (i.e., palmitic acid), n-octadecanoic acid (i.e.,
stearic acid), cis-9-octadecenoic acid (i.e., oleic acid), nonanal,
2-octadecanal, 2-octadecanol, and cholesterol. Although
cholesterol can be emitted from other sources,
cholesterol concentrations measured in the West Los Angeles
atmospheric aerosol are consistent with the cholesterol
mass emission rates determined from meat cooking
source tests.
667 citations
Additional excerpts
...(Donahue et al., 2013; Nozière et al., 2015; Rogge et al., 1991; Shi et al., 2002; Tsigaridis et al., 2014)....
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