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°51.10′S, 163°41.22′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-, SO42-, MSA), and trace elements from the snow samples. Trace elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma-sector field mass spectrometer (ICP-SFMS) coupled to a high-efficiency sample introduction system (Apex-HF/ACM). 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. Seasonal variations in δ¹⁸O, δD, and major ion values were observed. The snow pit contained 4 austral winters and summers, from late austral summer 2011 to austral summer 2014/2015.