Chemical characteristics and environmental records of a snow-pit at the Glacier No. 12 in the Laohugou Valley, Qilian Mountains

Abstract

In June 2006, samples were collected from a 90 cm snow-pit at an elevation of 5 040 m a.s.l. in the northern branch firn basin of the Glacier No. 12, Laohugou Valley, in the western part of Qilian Mountain, China. Oxygen isotopes (δ¹⁸O) and major soluble ions were measured. Results showed that Ca²⁺ is the dominant cation, and SO₄ ²⁻ is the dominant anion. All major ions have close positive correlations with eachother except NO₃ ⁻ and NH₄ ⁺. δ¹⁸O show positive correlation with air temperature. The method of correlation analysis, sea-salt ion tracer and trend analysis were used to determine the source of the chemical components. The correlation analysis and HYSPLIT backward trajectory analysis suggest that atmospheric soluble dust species dominate the chemical signature.

Keywords

snow-pit / glaciochemistry / Glacier No. 12 at Laohugou / ion / Qilian Mountain

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