Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-1904
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-1904
27 Sep 2023
 | 27 Sep 2023

Combining traditional and novel techniques to increase our understanding of the lock-in depth of atmospheric gases in polar ice cores - results from the EastGRIP region

Julien Westhoff, Johannes Freitag, Anaïs Orsi, Patricia Martinerie, Ilka Weikusat, Michael Dyonisius, Xavier Faïn, Kevin Fourteau, and Thomas Blunier

Abstract. We investigate the lock-in zone (LIZ) of the EastGRIP region, Northeast Greenland, in detail. We present results from the firn air pumping campaign of the S6 borehole, forward modeling, and a novel technique for finding the lock-in depth (LID, the top of the LIZ) based on the visual stratigraphy of the EastGRIP ice core. The findings in this work help to deepen our knowledge of how atmospheric gases are trapped in ice cores. CO2, δ15N, and CH4 data suggest the LID lies around 58 to 61 m depth. With the grayscale and bright spot analysis based on visual stratigraphy, we can pinpoint a change in ice properties to exactly 58.3 m depth, which we define as the optical lock-in depth (OLID). This visual change in ice properties is caused by the formation of rounded and enclosed air bubbles, altering the measured refraction of the light pathways. The results for the LID and OLID agree accurately on the depth. We furthermore use the visual stratigraphy images to obtain information on the sharpness of the open to closed porosity transition. Combing traditional methods with the independent optical method presented here, we can now better constrain the bubble closure processes in polar firn.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
Share

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

23 Sep 2024
Combining traditional and novel techniques to increase our understanding of the lock-in depth of atmospheric gases in polar ice cores – results from the EastGRIP region
Julien Westhoff, Johannes Freitag, Anaïs Orsi, Patricia Martinerie, Ilka Weikusat, Michael Dyonisius, Xavier Faïn, Kevin Fourteau, and Thomas Blunier
The Cryosphere, 18, 4379–4397, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4379-2024,https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4379-2024, 2024
Short summary
Download

The requested preprint has a corresponding peer-reviewed final revised paper. You are encouraged to refer to the final revised version.

Short summary
We study the EastGRIP area, Greenland, in detail with traditional and novel techniques. Due to...
Share