Central West Antarctic Glaciochemistry from Ice Cores

Glaciochemical and accumulation rate records developed from four ice cores in central West Antarctica are used to reconstruct former atmospheric circulation patterns in this region for the last 40 years with extended records (150-250 years) at two sites. The sites lie on a 200 km traverse from 82 degrees 22 minutes south, 119 degrees 17 minutes west to 81 degrees 22 minutes south, 107 degrees 17 minutes west, gaining elevation from 950 to 1930 m. The glaciochemical records represent the major ionic species present in Antarctic snow: sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, chloride, nitrate, and sulfate.