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Mercury in the greenland ice sheet: further data
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|August 31, 1973
Summary
Mercury levels in Greenland glacial ice have not significantly increased recently. Instead, mercury is unevenly distributed throughout the ice sheet, indicating complex deposition patterns.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Glaciology
- Geochemistry
Background:
- Understanding historical mercury deposition is crucial for assessing environmental contamination.
- Greenland ice cores provide a valuable archive of past atmospheric conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate recent trends in mercury content within Greenland glacial ice.
- To determine the spatial distribution patterns of mercury in the ice sheet.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of ice core samples from various locations across the Greenland ice sheet.
- Mercury concentration measurements using advanced analytical techniques.
Main Results:
- Data indicate no dramatic increase in mercury content in recent Greenland glacial ice.
- Mercury distribution within the ice sheet is nonhomogeneous, showing significant spatial variability.
Conclusions:
- Recent mercury deposition in Greenland has not shown a substantial upward trend.
- The nonhomogeneous distribution suggests localized or episodic mercury input rather than widespread uniform contamination.
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