The measurements :

PANDA’s isotope module allows the analysis of nitrogen (N), sulphur (S) and oxygen (O) isotopes of major species present in ice cores. : NH₄⁺, NO₃^-, SO₄^2-.

Measurements are made according to the following analytical chains :

The applications :

Nitrate isotopes are a tracer of snow accumulation in Antarctica. Indeed, the photolysis that takes place on the surface layer favours nitrate formed from ¹⁴N et ¹⁶O. The nitrate remaining in the snowpack thus has a higher content of δ¹⁵N et δ¹⁸O.

In the glacial archive, sulphate isotopy can be used to distinguish tropospheric (local) eruptions from stratospheric eruptions, with high climatic impact, through the proxy Δ³³S. Particularly large volcanic events are associated with a very low Δ¹⁷O .

For more information on analyzable samples, required concentrations, measurement accuracy, etc., please contact us.

Updated on 13 mai 2020