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Rapid optical method for logging dust concentration versus depth in glacial ice.
Applied Optics
|March 22, 2008
Summary
A new dust logger uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and a phototube to measure dust and volcanic ash concentration in ice boreholes. This tool aids in reconstructing past climate conditions and identifying ash layers.
Area of Science:
- Geophysics
- Paleoclimatology
- Ice Core Analysis
Background:
- Optical properties of ice are crucial for understanding past climate.
- Measuring dust and volcanic ash in ice cores provides valuable climate data.
- Previous research utilized pulsed light sources to study Antarctic ice optical properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and simulate a novel dust logger for ice boreholes.
- To assess the device's capability in measuring dust and volcanic ash concentrations.
- To explore its application in paleoclimate reconstruction and volcanic event detection.
Main Methods:
- A downward-pointing phototube and side-directed light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are integrated into a borehole probe.
- The device is lowered via a cable into a 7.5-cm borehole filled with butyl acetate.
- LED photons interact with dust grains, with scattered/absorbed light measured by the phototube to infer dust concentration.
Main Results:
- The simulated response indicates the phototube signal correlates with dust concentration.
- Increased dust concentration typically increases collected light, but air bubbles can alter this relationship.
- The logger can detect centimeter-thick volcanic ash bands.
Conclusions:
- The developed dust logger shows promise for quantifying dust and ash in ice.
- This technology can enhance the analysis of past climate and volcanic activity from ice cores.
- The design leverages extensive experience with optical ice property measurements.
