Gas Extraction From Polar Ice Cores: A Critical Issue For Studying The Evolution of Atmospheric CO2 and Ice-Sheet Surface Elevation
- 1 January 1982
- journal article
- research article
- Published by International Glaciological Society in Annals of Glaciology
- Vol. 3, 265-268
- https://doi.org/10.1017/s0260305500002895
Abstract
The measurement of gases enclosed in polar ice cores provides valuable Information concerning the history of the ice sheets and their environment. The extraction of gases from ice is a critical step in the experimental procedure. We found that the most efficient methods of gas extraction for 20 to 50 g samples were ice melting and controlled refreezing of the melt water for the total gas content and ice crushing far the CO2content. These two experimental methods are described in detail.It is shown, in particular, that ice is easily contaminated by carbonate dust during sample preparation. This contamination introduces an excess of CO2when gases are extracted using a procedure involving ice melting.Keywords
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