Source, timing and dynamics of ionic species mobility in the Svalbard annual snowpack

Spolaor, Andrea; Varin, Cristiano; Pedeli, Xanthi; Christille, Jean Marc; Kirchgeorg, Torben; Giardi, Fabio; Cappelletti, David; Turetta, Clara; Cairns, Warren Rl; Gambaro, Andrea; Bernagozzi, A.; Björkman, Mats; Barbaro, Elena

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141640

Cited by 13 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…Major sea spray ions are generally water‐soluble and therefore mobile within snowpack. Freeze–thaw cycles and rain on snow events mobilize soluble ions leaving surface snow and firn with relatively low conductivity (Spolaor et al, 2021). In all cases, the conductivity of the glacier snow and ice is low enough to have a minimal effect on the solubility of nonpolar organic compounds like 4NP.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thermodynamics Affecting Glacier‐Released 4‐Nonylphenol Deposition in Alaska, USA

Lyons

Weatherly

Waters

et al. 2022

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thermodynamics Affecting Glacier‐Released 4‐Nonylphenol Deposition in Alaska, USA

Lyons

Weatherly

Waters

et al. 2022

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

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“…A significant factor influencing the snow cover structure and its density is rain-on-snow events (Łupikasza et al, 2019). These events (more frequent than winter thaws) increase the density of snowpack through the formation of hard ice layers and may also leave a chemical footprint (Spolaor et al, 2020b). According to observations in 2010 and 2014 (Laska et al, 2016(Laska et al, , 2017Uszczyk et al, 2019), the snow cover density reached on average 398 kg/m 3 at the end of accumulation season and 528 kg/m 3 in the ablation season.…”

Section: Field Sitementioning

confidence: 98%

Seasonal and Spatial Differences in Metal and Metalloid Concentrations in the Snow Cover of Hansbreen, Svalbard

et al. 2021

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Metals and metalloids in snow on glaciers, depending on the season of deposition, may come from various sources: local rock dust (erosion of the geological substratum), marine aerosol, local human activity (e.g., impurities in combusted fuel and waste incineration), and long-range atmospheric transport. Hansbreen, a glacier located close to the Polish Polar Station in southern Svalbard, is a perfect site to study metals and metalloids: it has a complex geological substratum, has a year-round presence of a small group of people, and is near the coast. We analyzed a snapshot of metal and metalloid concentrations in snow samples from shallow cores corresponding to autumn, winter, and spring deposition on Hansbreen. Eighteen cores of snow were collected across the glacier, revealing the influence of potential local sources of metals and metalloids. In these samples, we predominantly found Na, Mg, and K, followed by Zn, Ca, Al, and Fe. Heavy metals, such as Bi or Hg, were also detected. Cluster analysis of the determined elemental concentrations divided them into three distinct groups: Group 1: Ag, As, Bi, Cd, Hg, Mo, Sb, Se, and Zn—the most diverse cluster, representing mostly long-range transported volatile elements, with possible extra local geological sources; Group 2: Al, Fe, Cu, and Mn—elements with crustal sources; and Group 3: Na, Ca, Mg, K, and Sr—with the main source in sea spray aerosol. The latter interpretation was confirmed by the calculation of sea salt contribution based on the composition of mean seawater and the positive significant correlation between their concentrations and the electrical conductivity of snow samples. In the study site, snow was up to six times more efficient in bringing metal pollution into terrestrial environment, when compared to rain.

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“…(Vance et al, 2016;Spolaor et al, 2016). Snowmelt and water percolation at the sampling site can move the chemical constituents across the layers (Spolaor et al, 2021;Avak et al, 2019) disturbing the original signal. Prolonged events can even fully compromise the preservation of the climatic information contained by ice cores.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate change is rapidly deteriorating the climatic signal in Svalbard glaciers

Spolaor

Scoto

Larose

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Abstract. The Svalbard archipelago is particularly sensitive to climate change due to the relatively low altitude of its main ice fields and its geographical location in the higher North Atlantic, where the effect of the Arctic Amplification is more significant. The largest temperature increases have been observed during winter, but increasing summer temperatures, above the melting point, have led to increased glacier melt. Here, we evaluate the impact of this increased melt on the preservation of the oxygen isotope signal (δ18O) in firn records. δ18O is commonly used as proxy for past atmospheric temperature reconstructions and, when preserved, it is a crucial parameter to date and align ice cores. By comparing four different firn cores collected in 2012, 2015, 2017 and 2019 at the top of the Holtedahlfonna ice field (1100 m. a.s.l.), we show a progressive deterioration of the isotope signal and we link its degradation to the increased occurrence and intensity of melt events. Although the δ18O signal still reflects the interannual temperature trend, more frequent melting events may in the future affect the interpretation of the isotopic signal, compromising the use of Svalbard ice cores. Our findings highlight the impact and the speed at which Arctic Amplification is affecting Svalbard's cryosphere.

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Source, timing and dynamics of ionic species mobility in the Svalbard annual snowpack

Cited by 13 publications

References 41 publications

Thermodynamics Affecting Glacier‐Released 4‐Nonylphenol Deposition in Alaska, USA

Thermodynamics Affecting Glacier‐Released 4‐Nonylphenol Deposition in Alaska, USA

Seasonal and Spatial Differences in Metal and Metalloid Concentrations in the Snow Cover of Hansbreen, Svalbard

Climate change is rapidly deteriorating the climatic signal in Svalbard glaciers

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