Improvement on the processing method for ice core

Abstract

Ice core analyses start with the processing of ice cores. Especially for chemical analyses, pre-treatments for introducing the samples to the measuring instruments without contamination is essential. Part of processing can be carried out under a normal laboratory instead of the cold one to improve the efficiency of processing the core samples. The ice core cutting was carried out in a small chamber, with temperature control, installed in a normal laboratory. The ice core sample was cut with a small instrument in the chamber and melted after the determination of solid bulk density. The melted samples were stored after labeling for the planned measurements, such as HTO measurements. The core processing including cutting in the chamber, measurement of bulk density and electrical conductivity before the storage of melted samples with labeling, were carried out at the rate of 5m/(6 hours・person). The continuous melting and sampling procedures for the ice core sample toward the depth direction are also discussed. Continuous melting with continuous sampling for measurement of ion chromatography was carried out on 10 samples/(15cm・30min・person). The processing was efficient for the delicate sampling, and the data obtained in the procedure was supported by those obtained with normal procedure.