Seasonal variation on geochemical characteristics in the snow pit at Styx Glacier plateau, Antarctica

Abstract:

Snow samples were collected from the wall of a 1.6 m snow pit at Styx Glacier plateau (73°50.975′S, 163°41.640′E) in Victoria Land, Antarctica, during 2014/2015 austral summer season. Here we present the data record for various chemical components such as stable water isotopes (δ¹⁸O, δD), major ions (Na⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, NH₄⁺, Cl^-, SO₄^2-, MSA), and trace elements including rare earth elements from the snow samples. Seasonal variations in δ¹⁸O, δD, and major ion values were clearly observed. The snow pit contained 3 austral winters and summers, from 2012 winter to 2014/2015 summer. Trace elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma-sector field mass spectrometer (ICP-SFMS) coupled to a high-efficiency sample introduction system (Apex-HF). Sample preparations and analytical operations were carried out under ultraclean conditions, class 10 clean benches in class 1000 clean room at Korea Polar Research Institute, due to their extremely low concentrations of trace element in Antarctic snow.