Changes of the trace metals in ice core during 1915‒2016 in coastal eastern Antarctica

Abstract

Antarctic trace metal records provide important information for grasping the influence of human activities on the environment over the last centuries. The CA2016-75 ice core is located along the East Antarctic Zhongshan Station–Dome A, enhances the record of metals research in the East Antarctic region, and its high-resolution supplies data support for the study of high-frequency climatic drivers and the effect of human activities on the Antarctic environment. A thorough dataset on seven trace metals (Al, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ba and Pb) in a coastal ice core in eastern Antarctica during the previous 102 years (1915–2016) is presented in this study. Pb has the lowest concentration (9.51 ± 20.95 pg g−1), and Ba has the highest concentration (36.57 ± 51.35 ng g−1). Notable variations are observed between the pre-1968 AD and post-1968 AD phases for Mn, Zn and Ba. The abrupt, remarkable increase in the concentrations coincided with the change of metal smelting production in the southern hemisphere. In addition to this, it may also be related to local Antarctic scientific research activities. Al and Fe, the primary crustal elements, are essentially obtained from soil dust; Cu shows high crustal enrichment factors (EFc, >10), indicating that it is notably affected by anthropogenic activities. Moreover, the anthropogenic activities in the Southern Hemisphere have had an impact on lead deposition in Antarctica. This study not only enriches the trace metal historical record along the Zhongshan Station–Dome A but also provides a high-resolution ice core record, which is very crucial for the reconstruction of trace metal concentration changes in the last 100 years.

Keywords

• Eastern Antarctica
• Ice core
• Trace metals
• Human activities