Chemical Characteristics and Environmental Significance of Fresh Snow Deposition on Urumqi Glacier No.1 of Tianshan Mountains, China

LI Zhongqin; LI Huilin; DONG Zhiwen; ZHANG Mingjun

doi:10.1007/s11769-010-0412-6

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LI Zhongqin, LI Huilin, DONG Zhiwen, ZHANG Mingjun. Chemical Characteristics and Environmental Significance of Fresh Snow Deposition on Urumqi Glacier No.1 of Tianshan Mountains, China[J]. Chinese Geographical Science, 2010, 20(5): 389-397. doi: 10.1007/s11769-010-0412-6

Citation:

LI Zhongqin, LI Huilin, DONG Zhiwen, ZHANG Mingjun. Chemical Characteristics and Environmental Significance of Fresh Snow Deposition on Urumqi Glacier No.1 of Tianshan Mountains, China[J]. Chinese Geographical Science, 2010, 20(5): 389-397. doi: 10.1007/s11769-010-0412-6

Chemical Characteristics and Environmental Significance of Fresh Snow Deposition on Urumqi Glacier No.1 of Tianshan Mountains, China

doi: 10.1007/s11769-010-0412-6

1.
The State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Sciences, Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute/Tianshan Glaciological Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China;
2.
College of Geography and Environment Science, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730070, China;
3.
Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China

Funds: Under the auspices of Major State Basic Research Development Program of China(No.2010CB951003);Knowledge Innovation Programs of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.KZCXZ-YW-127);National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.40631001,40571033,40701034,40371028,J0630966,40701035)

Received Date: 2010-02-08
Rev Recd Date: 2010-06-02
Publish Date: 2010-09-15

Abstract

Ice and snow chemistry of alpine glaciers is crucial for the research of regional atmospheric environment change. Fresh snow samples were weekly collected from Urumqi Glacier No.1 in the Tianshan Mountains, Xinjiang, China, and the chemical characteristics and seasonal variations of major ions, mineral dust, δ¹⁸O and trace metals were measured. Results show that the concentrations of major ions in the snow are Ca²⁺ > SO₄^2-> NH₄⁺ > NO₃^-> Cl^-> Na+ > Mg²⁺ > K⁺, in which Ca²⁺ is the dominant cation, and SO₄^2- is the dominant anion. All major ions have close positive correlations with each other except NO₃^-. δ¹⁸O shows positive correlation with air temperature change during the study period. Mineral dust particle and major ionic concentrations in fresh snow have obvious seasonal change, with high concentration in spring but low concentration in summer and autumn, which indicates that the chemical mass input from Asian dust activity to snow is very significant. Temporal changes of trace metals in fresh snow, e.g., Cd, Pb, Zn, Al, Fe, have shown that human-induced pollution of central Asian region also has large contribution to the snow chemistry on alpine glaciers of the Tianshan Mountains.
- Urumqi Glacier No.1,
- fresh snow,
- snow chemistry,
- Tianshan Mountains

References

[1]	Aizen E M,Aizen V B,Melack J M et al.,2001.Precipitation and atmospheric circulation patterns at mid-latitudes of Asia.International Journal of Climatology,21(5):535-556.
[2]	Aizen V B,Aizen E M,Melack J M et al.,2004.Association between atmospheric circulation patterns and firn-ice core records from the Inilchek glacierized area,central Tien Shan,Asia.Journal of Geophysical Research,109(D8),D08304.DOI:10. 1029/2003JD003894
[3]	Dong Zhiwen,Li Zhongqin,Wang Feiteng et al.,2009a.Characteristics of atmospheric dust deposition in snow on the glaciers of the eastern Tien Shan,China.Journal of Glaciology,55(193): 797-804.DOI:10.3189/002214309790152393
[4]	Dong Zhiwen,Zhang Mingjun,Li Zhongqin et al.,2009b.The pH value and electrical conductivity reco-rds of atmospheric environment from three shallow ice cores in the eastern Tianshan Mountains.Journal of Geographical Sciences,19(3): 416-426.DOI:10.1007/s11442-009-0416-2
[5]	Eichler A,Schwikowski M,Heine W,2001.Meltwater-induced relocation of chemical species in Alpine firn.Tellus,53(B): 192-203.
[6]	Fuhrer K,Albrecht N,Martin A et al.,1996.High-rsol-ution ammonium ice core record covering a complete glacial-interglacial cycle.Journal of Geophysical Research,101(D2):4147-4164.
[7]	Gao Y,Arimoto R,Duce R A et al.,1992.Relationships between the dust concentrations over eastern Asia and the remote North Pacific.Journal of Geophysical Research,97(D9):9867-9872.
[8]	Hou Shugui,Qin Dahe,Ren Jiawen et al.,1999.The present environmental process of the pH and conductivity records in the Glacier No.1 at the headwaters of Urumqi River,Tianshan Mountains.Journal of Glaciology and Geocryology,21(3): 225-232.(in Chinese)
[9]	Ichikuni M,1978.Calcite as a source of excess calcium in rainwater.Journal of Geophysical Research,83:6249-6252.DOI: 10.1029/JC083iC12p06249
[10]	Lee X,Qin D,Jiang G et al.,2003.Atmospheric pollution of a remote area of Tianshan Mountain:Ice core record.Journal of Geophysical Research,108(D14):4406-4416.DOI:10.1029/ 2002JD002181
[11]	Li Jiangfeng,1991.The Climate of Xinjiang.Beijing:Meteorology Press,5-73.(in Chinese)
[12]	Li Z,Edwards R,Thompson E M et al.,2006.Seasonal variability of ionic concentrations in surface snow and elution processes in snow-firn packs at the PGPI site on Urumqi Glacier No.1, eastern Tian Shan,China.Annals of Glaciology,43:250-256.
[13]	Li Z,Li C,Li Y et al.,2007.Preliminary results from measurements of selected trace metals in the snow-firn pack on Urumqi glacier No.1,eastern Tian Shan,China.Journal of Glaciology, 53(182):368-373.
[14]	Li Z,Yao T,Xie Z,1994.Modern atmospheric environmental records in Guliya Ice Cap of Qing-Zang(Tibet)Plateau.Chinese Science Bulletin,40(10):874-875.
[15]	Liu Chunping,Yao Tandong,Thompson L G,1999.Microparticle concentration within the Dunde ice core and its relationship with dust storm and climate.Journal of Glaciology and Geocryology,21(1):9-14.(in Chinese)
[16]	Mori I,Nishikawa M,Tanimura T et al.,2003.Change in size distribution and chemical composition of kosa(Asian dust) aerosol during long-range transport.Atmospheric Environment, 37(30):4253-4263.
[17]	Osada K,Hajime I,Mizuka K M,2004.Mineral dust layers in snow at Mount Tateyama,Central Japan:Formation processes and characteristics.Tellus,56B:382-392.
[18]	Seinfeld J H,Pandis S N,1998.Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics:From Air Pollution to Climate Change.New York:Wiley Inter-science.
[19]	Steffensen J P,1997.The size distributions of microparticle from selected segments of the Greenland Ice Core Project ice core representing different climatic periods.Journal of Geophysical Research,102:26755-26763.
[20]	Stichler W,Schotterer U,Frohlich K et al.,2001.Influence of sublimation on stable isotope records recovered from high-altitude glaciers in the tropical Andes.Journal of Geophysical Research,106(19):22613-22620.
[21]	Suzuki T,Tsunogai S,1988.Origin of calcium in aerosols over the western north Pacific.Journal of Atmospheric Chemistry,6: 363-374.
[22]	Thompson L G,1998.A 25,000-year tropical climate history from Bolivian ice cores.Science,282(5395):1858-1864.DOI: 10.1126/science.282.5395.1858
[23]	Thompson L G,Thompson E M,1981.Microparticle concentration variations linked with climatic change:Evidence from polar ice cores.Science,212:812-816.
[24]	Wake C P,Mayewski P A,Li Z et al.,1994.Modern eolian dust deposition in central Asia.Tellus,46(B):220-233.
[25]	Wang Dehui,Zhang Peiyuan,1985.On the valley climate of Urumqi River in the Tianshan Mountain.Journal of Glaciology and Geocryology,7(3):239-248.(in Chinese)
[26]	Wang F,Li Z,You X et al.,2006.Seasonal evolution of aerosol stratigraphy in Urumqi Glacier No.1 percolation zone,eastern Tian Shan,China.Annals of Glaciology,43:245-249.
[27]	Wolff E W,Wagenbach D,Pasteur E C et al.,1998.Relationship between chemistry of air,fresh snow and firn cores for aerosol species in coastal Antarctica.Journal of Geophysical Research, 103(D9):11057-11070.
[28]	Yao T,Masson V,Jouzel J et al.,1999.Relationships between delta O-18 in precipitation and surface air temperature in the Urumqi River Basin,east Tianshan Mountains,China.Geophysical Research Letters,26(23):3473-3476.
[29]	Zdanowicz C M,Zielinski G A,Wake C P et al.,1998.Characteristics of modern atmospheric dust deposition in snow on the Penny Ice Cap,Baffin Island,Arctic Canada.Tellus,50B: 506-520.
[30]	Zhang Kun,Li Zhongqin,Wang Feiteng et al.,2008.Soluble mineral dusts in aerosol and surface snow on the glacier No.1 at the head waters of Urumqi River,eastern Tianshan Mountains:Characteristics and their interrelation.Journal of Glaciology and Geocryology,30(1):113-118.(in Chinese)
[31]	Zhu Yuman,Li Zhongqin,You Xiaoni,2006.Application and technique in glacier by Accusizer 780A optical particle sizer. Modern Scientific Instruments,3:81-84.(in Chinese)

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通讯作者: 陈斌, bchen63@163.com

1.
沈阳化工大学材料科学与工程学院沈阳 110142

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Chemical Characteristics and Environmental Significance of Fresh Snow Deposition on Urumqi Glacier No.1 of Tianshan Mountains, China

1. The State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Sciences, Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute/Tianshan Glaciological Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China;

2. College of Geography and Environment Science, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730070, China;

3. Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China

Received Date: 2010-02-08

Rev Recd Date: 2010-06-02

Publish Date: 2010-09-15

Key words:

Abstract: Ice and snow chemistry of alpine glaciers is crucial for the research of regional atmospheric environment change. Fresh snow samples were weekly collected from Urumqi Glacier No.1 in the Tianshan Mountains, Xinjiang, China, and the chemical characteristics and seasonal variations of major ions, mineral dust, δ¹⁸O and trace metals were measured. Results show that the concentrations of major ions in the snow are Ca²⁺ > SO₄^2-> NH₄⁺ > NO₃^-> Cl^-> Na+ > Mg²⁺ > K⁺, in which Ca²⁺ is the dominant cation, and SO₄^2- is the dominant anion. All major ions have close positive correlations with each other except NO₃^-. δ¹⁸O shows positive correlation with air temperature change during the study period. Mineral dust particle and major ionic concentrations in fresh snow have obvious seasonal change, with high concentration in spring but low concentration in summer and autumn, which indicates that the chemical mass input from Asian dust activity to snow is very significant. Temporal changes of trace metals in fresh snow, e.g., Cd, Pb, Zn, Al, Fe, have shown that human-induced pollution of central Asian region also has large contribution to the snow chemistry on alpine glaciers of the Tianshan Mountains.

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Reference (31)

[1]	Aizen E M,Aizen V B,Melack J M et al.,2001.Precipitation and atmospheric circulation patterns at mid-latitudes of Asia.International Journal of Climatology,21(5):535-556.
[2]	Aizen V B,Aizen E M,Melack J M et al.,2004.Association between atmospheric circulation patterns and firn-ice core records from the Inilchek glacierized area,central Tien Shan,Asia.Journal of Geophysical Research,109(D8),D08304.DOI:10. 1029/2003JD003894
[3]	Dong Zhiwen,Li Zhongqin,Wang Feiteng et al.,2009a.Characteristics of atmospheric dust deposition in snow on the glaciers of the eastern Tien Shan,China.Journal of Glaciology,55(193): 797-804.DOI:10.3189/002214309790152393
[4]	Dong Zhiwen,Zhang Mingjun,Li Zhongqin et al.,2009b.The pH value and electrical conductivity reco-rds of atmospheric environment from three shallow ice cores in the eastern Tianshan Mountains.Journal of Geographical Sciences,19(3): 416-426.DOI:10.1007/s11442-009-0416-2
[5]	Eichler A,Schwikowski M,Heine W,2001.Meltwater-induced relocation of chemical species in Alpine firn.Tellus,53(B): 192-203.
[6]	Fuhrer K,Albrecht N,Martin A et al.,1996.High-rsol-ution ammonium ice core record covering a complete glacial-interglacial cycle.Journal of Geophysical Research,101(D2):4147-4164.
[7]	Gao Y,Arimoto R,Duce R A et al.,1992.Relationships between the dust concentrations over eastern Asia and the remote North Pacific.Journal of Geophysical Research,97(D9):9867-9872.
[8]	Hou Shugui,Qin Dahe,Ren Jiawen et al.,1999.The present environmental process of the pH and conductivity records in the Glacier No.1 at the headwaters of Urumqi River,Tianshan Mountains.Journal of Glaciology and Geocryology,21(3): 225-232.(in Chinese)
[9]	Ichikuni M,1978.Calcite as a source of excess calcium in rainwater.Journal of Geophysical Research,83:6249-6252.DOI: 10.1029/JC083iC12p06249
[10]	Lee X,Qin D,Jiang G et al.,2003.Atmospheric pollution of a remote area of Tianshan Mountain:Ice core record.Journal of Geophysical Research,108(D14):4406-4416.DOI:10.1029/ 2002JD002181
[11]	Li Jiangfeng,1991.The Climate of Xinjiang.Beijing:Meteorology Press,5-73.(in Chinese)
[12]	Li Z,Edwards R,Thompson E M et al.,2006.Seasonal variability of ionic concentrations in surface snow and elution processes in snow-firn packs at the PGPI site on Urumqi Glacier No.1, eastern Tian Shan,China.Annals of Glaciology,43:250-256.
[13]	Li Z,Li C,Li Y et al.,2007.Preliminary results from measurements of selected trace metals in the snow-firn pack on Urumqi glacier No.1,eastern Tian Shan,China.Journal of Glaciology, 53(182):368-373.
[14]	Li Z,Yao T,Xie Z,1994.Modern atmospheric environmental records in Guliya Ice Cap of Qing-Zang(Tibet)Plateau.Chinese Science Bulletin,40(10):874-875.
[15]	Liu Chunping,Yao Tandong,Thompson L G,1999.Microparticle concentration within the Dunde ice core and its relationship with dust storm and climate.Journal of Glaciology and Geocryology,21(1):9-14.(in Chinese)
[16]	Mori I,Nishikawa M,Tanimura T et al.,2003.Change in size distribution and chemical composition of kosa(Asian dust) aerosol during long-range transport.Atmospheric Environment, 37(30):4253-4263.
[17]	Osada K,Hajime I,Mizuka K M,2004.Mineral dust layers in snow at Mount Tateyama,Central Japan:Formation processes and characteristics.Tellus,56B:382-392.
[18]	Seinfeld J H,Pandis S N,1998.Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics:From Air Pollution to Climate Change.New York:Wiley Inter-science.
[19]	Steffensen J P,1997.The size distributions of microparticle from selected segments of the Greenland Ice Core Project ice core representing different climatic periods.Journal of Geophysical Research,102:26755-26763.
[20]	Stichler W,Schotterer U,Frohlich K et al.,2001.Influence of sublimation on stable isotope records recovered from high-altitude glaciers in the tropical Andes.Journal of Geophysical Research,106(19):22613-22620.
[21]	Suzuki T,Tsunogai S,1988.Origin of calcium in aerosols over the western north Pacific.Journal of Atmospheric Chemistry,6: 363-374.
[22]	Thompson L G,1998.A 25,000-year tropical climate history from Bolivian ice cores.Science,282(5395):1858-1864.DOI: 10.1126/science.282.5395.1858
[23]	Thompson L G,Thompson E M,1981.Microparticle concentration variations linked with climatic change:Evidence from polar ice cores.Science,212:812-816.
[24]	Wake C P,Mayewski P A,Li Z et al.,1994.Modern eolian dust deposition in central Asia.Tellus,46(B):220-233.
[25]	Wang Dehui,Zhang Peiyuan,1985.On the valley climate of Urumqi River in the Tianshan Mountain.Journal of Glaciology and Geocryology,7(3):239-248.(in Chinese)
[26]	Wang F,Li Z,You X et al.,2006.Seasonal evolution of aerosol stratigraphy in Urumqi Glacier No.1 percolation zone,eastern Tian Shan,China.Annals of Glaciology,43:245-249.
[27]	Wolff E W,Wagenbach D,Pasteur E C et al.,1998.Relationship between chemistry of air,fresh snow and firn cores for aerosol species in coastal Antarctica.Journal of Geophysical Research, 103(D9):11057-11070.
[28]	Yao T,Masson V,Jouzel J et al.,1999.Relationships between delta O-18 in precipitation and surface air temperature in the Urumqi River Basin,east Tianshan Mountains,China.Geophysical Research Letters,26(23):3473-3476.
[29]	Zdanowicz C M,Zielinski G A,Wake C P et al.,1998.Characteristics of modern atmospheric dust deposition in snow on the Penny Ice Cap,Baffin Island,Arctic Canada.Tellus,50B: 506-520.
[30]	Zhang Kun,Li Zhongqin,Wang Feiteng et al.,2008.Soluble mineral dusts in aerosol and surface snow on the glacier No.1 at the head waters of Urumqi River,eastern Tianshan Mountains:Characteristics and their interrelation.Journal of Glaciology and Geocryology,30(1):113-118.(in Chinese)
[31]	Zhu Yuman,Li Zhongqin,You Xiaoni,2006.Application and technique in glacier by Accusizer 780A optical particle sizer. Modern Scientific Instruments,3:81-84.(in Chinese)

Chemical Characteristics and Environmental Significance of Fresh Snow Deposition on Urumqi Glacier No.1 of Tianshan Mountains, China

doi: 10.1007/s11769-010-0412-6

Abstract

References

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通讯作者: 陈斌, bchen63@163.com

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