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Article
Chemical Composition of Fresh Snow from Glaciar Marinelli, Tierra Del Fuego, Chile
Journal of Glaciology
  • B. Grigholm
  • Paul Andrew Mayewski, University of Maine - Main
  • Andrei V. Kurbatov, University of Maine - Main
  • Gino Casassa
  • A. Contreras Staeding
  • M. Handley
  • Sharon B. Sneed
  • D. S. Introne
Document Type
Article
Rights and Access Note
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Publication Date
1-1-2009
Disciplines
Abstract/ Summary

A fresh-snow sampling campaign was conducted during the late austral summer of 2006 in the accumulation zone of Glaciar Marinelli, located in the Cordillera Darwin, Tierra del Fuego, Chile. Snow samples were analyzed for stable isotopes (delta(18)O, major soluble ions (Na', K', Ca, Mg, a NO(3)(-), SO(4)(2-), MS(-)) and major and trace elements (Na, Mg, Al, Fe, Ca, Sr, Cd, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Pr, Dy, Ho, Er, Bi, U, As, Ti, V, Cr, Mn). The dominance of marine chemistry resembles that in studies from Patagonian glaciers. Snow chemistry was dominantly loaded by marine species (Cl(-), Na(+) and ssSO(4)(2-)), while contributions of crustal species (e.g. Al and Fe) were very low. Empirical orthogonal function analysis suggests two possible dust sources, one represented by Al and Fe and the other by La, Ce and Pr. Enrichment-factor calculations suggest the majority of elements are within average upper-crustal ratios, but major enrichments of Bi and Cd (hundreds of times) suggest possible anthropogenic sources. Linear correlation of delta(18)O and barometric pressure (r = 0.60, p < 0.007) suggests a potential 'amount effect' relationship between depleted delta(18)O ratios and stronger storm conditions (e.g. greater precipitation). The snow-chemistry records from Glaciar Marinelli are the first measured in Tierra del Fuego, the southernmost glaciated region outside Antarctica.

Citation/Publisher Attribution
Grigholm, B, Mayewski, PA, Kurbatov, AV, Casassa, G, Staeding, AC, Handley, M, Sneed, SB, et al., 2009, Chemical Composition of Fresh Snow from Glaciar Marinelli, Tierra Del Fuego, Chile: Journal of Glaciology, v. 55, p. 769-776. Available on publisher's site at: http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/igsoc/jog/2009/00000055/00000193/art00002
Publisher Statement
© Copyright 2009 by the International Glaciological Society
Version
publisher's version of the published document
Citation Information
B. Grigholm, Paul Andrew Mayewski, Andrei V. Kurbatov, Gino Casassa, et al.. "Chemical Composition of Fresh Snow from Glaciar Marinelli, Tierra Del Fuego, Chile" Journal of Glaciology Vol. 55 Iss. 193 (2009) p. 769 - 776
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/paul_mayewski/23/