Continuous flow analysis methods for sodium, magnesium and calcium detection in the Skytrain ice core

Abstract Dissolved and particulate sodium, magnesium calcium are analyzed in ice cores to determine past changes sea extent, terrestrial dust variability atmospheric aerosol transport efficiency. They also used date if annual layers visible. Multiple methods have been developed analyze these important compounds cores. Continuous flow analysis (CFA) is implemented with instruments that sample the meltstream continuously. In this study, CFA ICP-MS (inductively coupled-plasma mass spectrometry) fast ion chromatography (FIC) compared for of sodium magnesium. ICP-MS, FIC fluorescence calcium. Respective a 10 m section Antarctic WACSWAIN Skytrain Ice Rise core shows all result similar levels compounds. The method most suitable due its superior precision (relative standard deviation: 1.6% Na, 1.3% Mg 1.2% Ca) sampling frequency method. detection may be preferred higher depth resolution (1.4 cm) relative (~4 cm).