USAP-DC

{"dp_type": "Project", "free_text": "ARGON ISOTOPES"}

[{"awards": "1744927 Mitrovica, Jerry", "bounds_geometry": "POLYGON((-127.162 -77.16,-127.1281 -77.16,-127.0942 -77.16,-127.0603 -77.16,-127.0264 -77.16,-126.9925 -77.16,-126.9586 -77.16,-126.9247 -77.16,-126.8908 -77.16,-126.8569 -77.16,-126.823 -77.16,-126.823 -77.169,-126.823 -77.178,-126.823 -77.187,-126.823 -77.196,-126.823 -77.205,-126.823 -77.214,-126.823 -77.223,-126.823 -77.232,-126.823 -77.241,-126.823 -77.25,-126.8569 -77.25,-126.8908 -77.25,-126.9247 -77.25,-126.9586 -77.25,-126.9925 -77.25,-127.0264 -77.25,-127.0603 -77.25,-127.0942 -77.25,-127.1281 -77.25,-127.162 -77.25,-127.162 -77.241,-127.162 -77.232,-127.162 -77.223,-127.162 -77.214,-127.162 -77.205,-127.162 -77.196,-127.162 -77.187,-127.162 -77.178,-127.162 -77.169,-127.162 -77.16))", "dataset_titles": "GIA-and-subglacial-hydrology-GRL", "datasets": [{"dataset_uid": "200513", "doi": "", "keywords": null, "people": null, "repository": "Github", "science_program": null, "title": "GIA-and-subglacial-hydrology-GRL", "url": "https://github.com/1996-linda-pan/GIA-and-subglacial-hydrology-GRL"}], "date_created": "Fri, 20 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMT", "description": "Understanding the geometry of a reduced West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) during the last interglacial (~125,000 years ago) when the planet was warmer than present provides a possible analogue for future environmental conditions given predicted temperature trends. A reduction of WAIS results in rising sea levels which threatens coastal communities across the globe. Data constraining WAIS elevation during the interglacial will help improve numerical ice sheet models to better predict WAIS response to current and future climate trends. The goal of this project is to constrain WAIS elevation changes at Mt. Waesche, a volcano in Marie Byrd Land, near an ice dome of WAIS (2000 m elevation) by obtaining rock samples from beneath the WAIS through shallow (\u003c80 m) drilling. \r\n\r\nThe first field season (2018-19) focused on identifying appropriate locations for drilling using ground penetrating radar (GPR) to map the subglacial topography under the blue ice area adjacent to the volcano and mapping and dating the adjacent exposed lava flows to identify lava flows of appropriate age and lithology. 40Ar/39Ar data obtained on samples collected indicate several lava flows on the volcano flank that date to the last interglacial. Based on GPR these flows continue beneath the present ice surface; thus cosmogenic nuclides measured in rock cores from beneath the ice surface will indicate exposure during periods of reduced ice elevation, most likely, during the last interglacial. The lithologies of lava flows exposed on the flank of the volcano are well-suited for cosmogenic 3He and 36Cl to determine the duration of exposure and cover by ice. 40Ar/39Ar measurements will establish eruption age and provide independent evidence of lower levels at that time.\r\n\r\nThe second field season (2024-25) focused on drilling through blue ice with the Winkie drill near the ice margin to obtain rock cores from the sub-ice lava flows. Three cores from a lava flow 40m, 60m, and 80 m beneath the ice surface were recovered. Based on the lithology of the cores, the lava flow was subaerial, indicating lower Ice levels at the time of eruption. Assuming the subglacial flows correlate to the 40Ar/39Ar dated lava flow exposed directly up slope on Mt Waesche, the eruption and hence lower ice levels occurred during the last interglacial. This assumption will be tested through 40Ar/39Ar dates on the cores. The concentration of cosmogenic nuclides (3He and 36Cl) will be analyzed to determine the duration of exposure and t when the surface became overridden by the ice sheet. \r\nWAIS elevation changes inferred from geologic data have inherent uncertainties due to changes in bedrock elevation due to isostatic adjustments to changing ice loads. In order to better constrain Antarctic bedrock elevation history changes over the last glacial cycle were modelled using available ice histories. \r\n\r\nThis study collected a novel dataset to determine how the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) responded to a warmer climate during the last interglacial period. Exposure ages will constrain the duration and minimum extent of past surface lowering of the WAIS near the dome in Marie Byrd Land. Results from this study will be compared with the modeled ice elevation histories at Mt. Waesche to validate ice sheet modeling efforts", "east": -126.823, "geometry": "POINT(-126.9925 -77.205)", "instruments": null, "is_usap_dc": true, "keywords": "GLACIER MOTION/ICE SHEET MOTION; ARGON ISOTOPES; Mt. Waesche", "locations": "Mt. Waesche", "north": -77.16, "nsf_funding_programs": "Antarctic Earth Sciences", "paleo_time": null, "persons": "Mitrovica, Jerry; Ackert, Robert", "platforms": null, "repo": "Github", "repositories": "Github", "science_programs": null, "south": -77.25, "title": "Collaborative Research: Constraining West Antarctic Ice Sheet Elevation during the last Interglacial", "uid": "p0010516", "west": -127.162}, {"awards": "1443472 Brook, Edward J.; 1443464 Sowers, Todd; 1443710 Severinghaus, Jeffrey", "bounds_geometry": "POINT(0 -90)", "dataset_titles": "South Pole CH4 data for termination; South Pole Ice Core Isotopes of N2 and Ar; South Pole ice core (SPC14) discrete methane data; South Pole ice core total air content; South Pole (SPICECORE) 15N, 18O, O2/N2 and Ar/N2; SP19 Gas Chronology", "datasets": [{"dataset_uid": "601380", "doi": "10.15784/601380", "keywords": "Antarctica; Ch4; Glaciers/ice Sheet; Glaciers/Ice Sheet; Glaciology; Ice Core Records; Ice Core Stratigraphy; Methane; South Pole; SPICEcore", "people": "Epifanio, Jenna", "repository": "USAP-DC", "science_program": "SPICEcore", "title": "SP19 Gas Chronology", "url": "https://www.usap-dc.org/view/dataset/601380"}, {"dataset_uid": "601381", "doi": "10.15784/601381", "keywords": "Antarctica; Ch4; Glaciers/ice Sheet; Glaciers/Ice Sheet; Glaciology; Ice Core Data; Ice Core Records; Methane; South Pole; SPICEcore", "people": "Osterberg, Erich; Kennedy, Joshua A.; Ferris, David G.; Kalk, Michael; Hood, Ekaterina; Fudge, T. J.; Winski, Dominic A.; Steig, Eric J.; Kahle, Emma; Sowers, Todd A.; Edwards, Jon S.; Aydin, Murat; Kreutz, Karl; Buizert, Christo; Brook, Edward J.; Epifanio, Jenna; Severinghaus, Jeffrey P.", "repository": "USAP-DC", "science_program": "SPICEcore", "title": "South Pole ice core (SPC14) discrete methane data", "url": "https://www.usap-dc.org/view/dataset/601381"}, {"dataset_uid": "601517", "doi": "10.15784/601517", "keywords": "Antarctica; Argon; Argon Isotopes; Firn; Firn Temperature Gradient; Firn Thickness; Gas Isotopes; Glaciers/ice Sheet; Glaciers/Ice Sheet; Glaciology; Ice Core; Ice Core Records; Nitrogen; Nitrogen Isotopes; South Pole; SPICEcore", "people": "Severinghaus, Jeffrey P.; Morgan, Jacob", "repository": "USAP-DC", "science_program": "SPICEcore", "title": "South Pole Ice Core Isotopes of N2 and Ar", "url": "https://www.usap-dc.org/view/dataset/601517"}, {"dataset_uid": "601231", "doi": "10.15784/601231", "keywords": "Air Content; Antarctica; Glaciers/ice Sheet; Glaciers/Ice Sheet; Glaciology; Ice Core Data; Ice Core Records; Snow/ice; Snow/Ice; South Pole; SPICEcore", "people": "Sowers, Todd A.", "repository": "USAP-DC", "science_program": "SPICEcore", "title": "South Pole ice core total air content", "url": "https://www.usap-dc.org/view/dataset/601231"}, {"dataset_uid": "601230", "doi": "10.15784/601230", "keywords": "Antarctica; Atmospheric CH4; Ch4; Glaciers/ice Sheet; Glaciers/Ice Sheet; Glaciology; Ice Core; Ice Core Chemistry; Ice Core Data; Methane; Methane Concentration; Snow/ice; Snow/Ice; South Pole; SPICEcore", "people": "Sowers, Todd A.", "repository": "USAP-DC", "science_program": "SPICEcore", "title": "South Pole CH4 data for termination", "url": "https://www.usap-dc.org/view/dataset/601230"}, {"dataset_uid": "601152", "doi": "10.15784/601152", "keywords": "Antarctica; Antarctic Ice Sheet; Chemistry:gas; Chemistry:Gas; Chemistry:ice; Chemistry:Ice; Delta 18O; Dole Effect; Firn Thickness; Gas Isotopes; Geochemistry; Glaciers/ice Sheet; Glaciers/Ice Sheet; Glaciology; Gravitational Settling; Ice; Ice Core Chemistry; Ice Core Data; Ice Core Gas Records; Ice Core Records; Inert Gases; Nitrogen; Nitrogen Isotopes; Oxygen; Oxygen Isotope; Snow/ice; Snow/Ice; South Pole; SPICEcore", "people": "Severinghaus, Jeffrey P.", "repository": "USAP-DC", "science_program": "SPICEcore", "title": "South Pole (SPICECORE) 15N, 18O, O2/N2 and Ar/N2", "url": "https://www.usap-dc.org/view/dataset/601152"}], "date_created": "Sat, 02 Feb 2019 00:00:00 GMT", "description": "Gases trapped in ice cores have revealed astonishing things about the greenhouse gas composition of the past atmosphere, including the fact that carbon dioxide concentrations never rose above 300 parts per million during the last 800,000 years. This places today\u0027s concentration of 400 parts per million in stark contrast. Furthermore, these gas records show that natural sources of greenhouse gas such as oceans and ecosystems act as amplifiers of climate change by increasing emissions of gases during warmer periods. Such amplification is expected to occur in the future, adding to the human-produced gas burden. The South Pole ice core will build upon these prior findings by expanding the suite of gases to include, for the first time, those potent trace gases that both trapped heat and depleted ozone during the past 40,000 years. The present project on inert gases and methane in the South Pole ice core will improve the dating of this crucial record, to unprecedented precision, so that the relative timing of events can be used to learn about the mechanism of trace gas production and destruction, and consequent climate change amplification. Ultimately, this information will inform predictions of future atmospheric chemical cleansing mechanisms and climate in the context of our rapidly changing atmosphere. This award also engages young people in the excitement of discovery and polar research, helping to entrain the next generations of scientists and educators. Education of graduate students, a young researcher (Buizert), and training of technicians, will add to the nation?s human resource base. This award funds the construction of the gas chronology for the South Pole 1500m ice core, using measured inert gases (d15N and d40Ar--Nitrogen and Argon isotope ratios, respectively) and methane in combination with a next-generation firn densification model that treats the stochastic nature of air trapping and the role of impurities on densification. The project addresses fundamental gaps in scientific understanding that limit the accuracy of gas chronologies, specifically a poor knowledge of the controls on ice-core d15N and the possible role of layering and impurities in firn densification. These gaps will be addressed by studying the gas enclosure process in modern firn at the deep core site. The work will comprise the first-ever firn air pumping experiment that has tightly co-located measurements of firn structural properties on the core taken from the same borehole. The project will test the hypothesis that the lock-in horizon as defined by firn air d15N, CO2, and methane is structurally controlled by impermeable layers, which are in turn created by high-impurity content horizons in which densification is enhanced. Thermal signals will be sought using the inert gas measurements, which improve the temperature record with benefits to the firn densification modeling. Neon, argon, and oxygen will be measured in firn air and a limited number of deep core samples to test whether glacial period layering was enhanced, which could explain low observed d15N in the last glacial period. Drawing on separate volcanic and methane synchronization to well-dated ice cores to create independent ice and gas tie points, independent empirical estimates of the gas age-ice age difference will be made to check the validity of the firn densification model-inert gas approach to calculating the gas age-ice age difference. These points will also be used to test whether the anomalously low d15N seen during the last glacial period in east Antarctic ice cores is due to deep air convection in the firn, or a missing impurity dependence in the firn densification models. The increased physical understanding gained from these studies, combined with new high-precision measurements, will lead to improved accuracy of the gas chronology of the South Pole ice core, which will enhance the overall science return from this gas-oriented core. This will lead to clarification of timing of atmospheric gas variations and temperature, and aid in efforts to understand the biogeochemical feedbacks among trace gases. These feedbacks bear on the future response of the Earth System to anthropogenic forcing. Ozone-depleting substances will be measured in the South Pole ice core record, and a precise gas chronology will add value. Lastly, by seeking a better understanding of the physics of gas entrapment, the project aims to have an impact on ice-core science in general.", "east": 0.0, "geometry": "POINT(0 -90)", "instruments": "IN SITU/LABORATORY INSTRUMENTS \u003e CORERS \u003e CORING DEVICES", "is_usap_dc": true, "keywords": "USAP-DC; AMD; LABORATORY; Antarctica; NITROGEN ISOTOPES; USA/NSF; METHANE; Amd/Us; FIELD INVESTIGATION", "locations": "Antarctica", "north": -90.0, "nsf_funding_programs": "Antarctic Glaciology; Antarctic Glaciology; Antarctic Glaciology", "paleo_time": null, "persons": "Severinghaus, Jeffrey P.; Sowers, Todd A.; Brook, Edward J.", "platforms": "LAND-BASED PLATFORMS \u003e FIELD SITES \u003e FIELD INVESTIGATION; OTHER \u003e PHYSICAL MODELS \u003e LABORATORY", "repo": "USAP-DC", "repositories": "USAP-DC", "science_programs": "SPICEcore", "south": -90.0, "title": "Collaborative Research: Inert Gas and Methane Based Climate Records throughout the South Pole Deep Ice Core", "uid": "p0010005", "west": 0.0}, {"awards": "0636731 Bender, Michael; 0636705 Marchant, David", "bounds_geometry": "POLYGON((160.48705 -77.84513,160.501913 -77.84513,160.516776 -77.84513,160.531639 -77.84513,160.546502 -77.84513,160.561365 -77.84513,160.576228 -77.84513,160.591091 -77.84513,160.605954 -77.84513,160.620817 -77.84513,160.63568 -77.84513,160.63568 -77.8515624,160.63568 -77.8579948,160.63568 -77.8644272,160.63568 -77.8708596,160.63568 -77.877292,160.63568 -77.8837244,160.63568 -77.8901568,160.63568 -77.8965892,160.63568 -77.9030216,160.63568 -77.909454,160.620817 -77.909454,160.605954 -77.909454,160.591091 -77.909454,160.576228 -77.909454,160.561365 -77.909454,160.546502 -77.909454,160.531639 -77.909454,160.516776 -77.909454,160.501913 -77.909454,160.48705 -77.909454,160.48705 -77.9030216,160.48705 -77.8965892,160.48705 -77.8901568,160.48705 -77.8837244,160.48705 -77.877292,160.48705 -77.8708596,160.48705 -77.8644272,160.48705 -77.8579948,160.48705 -77.8515624,160.48705 -77.84513))", "dataset_titles": "Dating and Paleoenvironmental Studies on Ancient Ice in the Dry Valleys, Antarctica; Measurements of Trapped Air from Mullins Valley, Dry Valleys, Antarctica", "datasets": [{"dataset_uid": "609597", "doi": "10.7265/N50R9MBM", "keywords": "Antarctica; Chemistry:fluid; Chemistry:Fluid; Dry Valleys; Geochemistry; Glaciers/ice Sheet; Glaciers/Ice Sheet; Glaciology; Ice Core Records; Isotope; Paleoclimate; Radar Interferometer", "people": "Yau, Audrey M.; Bender, Michael", "repository": "USAP-DC", "science_program": null, "title": "Measurements of Trapped Air from Mullins Valley, Dry Valleys, Antarctica", "url": "https://www.usap-dc.org/view/dataset/609597"}, {"dataset_uid": "600069", "doi": "10.15784/600069", "keywords": "Antarctica; Dry Valleys; Geochemistry; Glaciers/ice Sheet; Glaciers/Ice Sheet; Glaciology; Ice Core Records; Isotope Record; Lake Vostok; Paleoclimate", "people": "Bender, Michael", "repository": "USAP-DC", "science_program": null, "title": "Dating and Paleoenvironmental Studies on Ancient Ice in the Dry Valleys, Antarctica", "url": "https://www.usap-dc.org/view/dataset/600069"}], "date_created": "Thu, 03 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT", "description": "This project studies ancient ice buried in the Dry Valleys of Antarctica. The ice, which may approach ten million years in age, will be dated using argon and uranium radioisotope techniques. High-risk work, if successful it will offer the first and perhaps only samples of the Earth\u0027s atmosphere from millions of years in the past. These samples could offer critically important tests of paleoclimate records and proxies, as well as a glimpse into the characteristics of a past world much like the predicted future, warmer Earth. The broader impacts are graduate student education, and potentially contributing to society\u0027s understanding of global climate change and sea level rise.", "east": 160.63568, "geometry": "POINT(160.561365 -77.877292)", "instruments": "IN SITU/LABORATORY INSTRUMENTS \u003e SPECTROMETERS/RADIOMETERS \u003e MASS SPECTROMETERS", "is_usap_dc": true, "keywords": "Elemental Ratios; Oxygen Isotope; Not provided; Nitrogen Isotopes; LABORATORY; Argon Isotopes; FIELD INVESTIGATION", "locations": null, "north": -77.84513, "nsf_funding_programs": "Antarctic Glaciology; Antarctic Earth Sciences; Antarctic Earth Sciences", "paleo_time": null, "persons": "Bender, Michael; Yau, Audrey M.", "platforms": "LAND-BASED PLATFORMS \u003e FIELD SITES \u003e FIELD INVESTIGATION; Not provided; OTHER \u003e PHYSICAL MODELS \u003e LABORATORY", "repo": "USAP-DC", "repositories": "USAP-DC", "science_programs": null, "south": -77.909454, "title": "Collaborative Research: Dating and Paleoenvironmental Studies on Ancient Ice in the Dry Valleys, Antarctica", "uid": "p0000039", "west": 160.48705}, {"awards": "9725305 Severinghaus, Jeffrey", "bounds_geometry": null, "dataset_titles": "Firn Air Isotope and Temperature Measurements from Siple Dome and South Pole", "datasets": [{"dataset_uid": "609098", "doi": "10.7265/N51N7Z2P", "keywords": "Antarctica; Atmosphere; Chemistry:ice; Chemistry:Ice; Geochemistry; Glaciology; Isotope; Paleoclimate; Siple Dome; Snow/ice; Snow/Ice; South Pole; Temperature", "people": "Severinghaus, Jeffrey P.; Battle, Mark; Grachev, Alexi", "repository": "USAP-DC", "science_program": "Siple Dome Ice Core", "title": "Firn Air Isotope and Temperature Measurements from Siple Dome and South Pole", "url": "https://www.usap-dc.org/view/dataset/609098"}], "date_created": "Mon, 01 Jan 2001 00:00:00 GMT", "description": "9725305 Severinghaus This award supports a project to develop and apply a new technique for quantifying temperature changes in the past based on the thermodynamic principle of thermal diffusion, in which gas mixtures in a temperature gradient become fractionated. Air in polar firn is fractionated by temperature gradients induced by abrupt climate change, and a record of this air is preserved in bubbles in the ice. The magnitude of the abrupt temperature change, the precise relative timing, and an estimate of the absolute temperature change can be determined. By providing a gas-phase stratigraphic marker of temperature change, the phasing of methane (with decadal precision) and hence widespread climate change (relative to local polar temperature changes) can be determined (across five abrupt warming events during the last glacial period).", "east": null, "geometry": null, "instruments": "IN SITU/LABORATORY INSTRUMENTS \u003e SAMPLERS \u003e BOTTLES/FLASKS/JARS \u003e FLASKS; IN SITU/LABORATORY INSTRUMENTS \u003e SPECTROMETERS/RADIOMETERS \u003e MASS SPECTROMETERS; IN SITU/LABORATORY INSTRUMENTS \u003e TEMPERATURE/HUMIDITY SENSORS \u003e THERMISTORS \u003e THERMISTORS", "is_usap_dc": true, "keywords": "Isotopic History; GROUND STATIONS; Thermal Diffusion; Firn Temperature Measurements; Not provided; Oxygen Isotope; Trapped Air Bubbles; Shallow Firn Air; Firn Air Isotope Measurements; Seasonal Temperature Gradients; Mass Spectrometry; GROUND-BASED OBSERVATIONS; Thermal Fractionation; Polar Firn Air; Isotopic Anomalies; Xenon; Atmospheric Gases; Argon Isotopes; Siple Dome; Krypton; Nitrogen Isotopes; Seasonal Temperature Changes; Antarctica; Ice Core Gas Records; Firn Air Isotopes; Mass Spectrometer; South Pole; Firn Isotopes; Borehole", "locations": "Antarctica; Siple Dome; South Pole", "north": null, "nsf_funding_programs": "Antarctic Glaciology", "paleo_time": null, "persons": "Battle, Mark; Grachev, Alexi; Severinghaus, Jeffrey P.", "platforms": "LAND-BASED PLATFORMS \u003e PERMANENT LAND SITES \u003e GROUND-BASED OBSERVATIONS; LAND-BASED PLATFORMS \u003e PERMANENT LAND SITES \u003e GROUND STATIONS; Not provided", "repo": "USAP-DC", "repositories": "USAP-DC", "science_programs": "Siple Dome Ice Core", "south": null, "title": "Thermal Fractionation of Firn Air and the Ice Core Record of Abrupt Interstadial Climate Change", "uid": "p0000160", "west": null}]

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