Snow profiles (analysed for snow chemistry, isotope ratios dust flux and mineralogy) along a transect from the coast towards the East Antarctic Ice Sheet to interpret Holocene climate records

In order to interpret the climate record contained in the ice cores from Victoria Lower Glacier it was necessary to trace air mass trajectories to distinguish between marine and continental influences. In the 01-02 season snow profiles were sampled along a transect from the coast towards the East Antarctic Ice Sheet. To complete the transect a snow profile was taken from the polar plateau (77? 21.092' S, 159? 52.226' E). The snow was sampled with 1cm resolution in 60ml HDPE Nalgene bottles and analysed for snow chemistry, isotope ratios, dust flux and mineralogy. The temperature was recorded. The samples were used to identify the characteristics of continental air masses and to quantify global dust input.