Determination of trace elements in Antarctic snow by inductively coupled plasma sector field mass spectrometry

Abstract

We present the record of trace elements including rare earth elements and selected trace elements determined in snow from Dome A (80°22S, 77°21E, 4093 m a.s.l.), Antarctica by inductively coupled plasma-sector field mass spectrometry (ICP-SFMS) equipped with an Apex high efficiency sample introduction system. Snow samples were collected from the wall of a 2.0 m-depth snowpit at 0.05 m intervals, dating from the late 1960s AD to 2004 AD. 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, to avoid possible contamination of their extremely low concentrations of the elements in Antarctic snow.try (ICP-SFMS) equipped with an Apex high efficiency sample introduction system. Snow samples were collected from the wall of a 2.0 m-depth snowpit at 0.05 m intervals, dating from the late 1960s AD to 2004 AD. 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, to avoid possible contamination of their extremely low concentrations of the elements in Antarctic snow.