Deep ice as a geochemical reactor: insights from iron speciation and mineralogy of dust in the Talos Dome ice core (East Antarctica)

Abstract. Thanks to its insolubility, mineral dust is considered a stable proxy in polar ice cores. With this study we show that the Talos Dome core (TALDICE, Ross Sea sector of East Antarctica) displays evident and progressive signs post-depositional processes affecting record below 1000 m deep. We apply suite established cutting-edge techniques investigate properties TALDICE, ranging from concentration grain size elemental composition Fe mineralogy. Results through acidic/oxidative weathering, conditions deep at promote dissolution specific minerals englacial formation others, primitive features. The expulsion acidic atmospheric species grains their localized environments likely main process responsible for reactions. Deep can be seen as “geochemical reactor” capable fostering complex reactions which involve both soluble insoluble impurities. Fe-bearing efficiently help exploring such transformations.