The Cryosphere Discussions
www.the-cryosphere-discuss.net
1994-0432
1994-0440
4
3
2010
10.5194/tcd-4-1525-2010
http://www.the-cryosphere-discuss.net/4/1525/2010/
http://www.the-cryosphere-discuss.net/4/1525/2010/tcd-4-1525-2010.html
http://www.the-cryosphere-discuss.net/4/1525/2010/tcd-4-1525-2010.pdf
1525
1559
2010-09-01
First investigations of an ice core from Eisriesenwelt cave (Austria)
B. May
barbara.may@iup.uni-heidelberg.de
C. Spötl
D. Wagenbach
Y. Dublyansky
J. Liebl
Institut für Umweltphysik, Universität Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 229, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
Institut für Geologie und Paläontologie, Lepold-Franzens-Universität Innsbruck, Innrain 52, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Vienna Environmental Research Accelerator (VERA), Fakultät für Physik – Isotopenforschung, Universität Wien, Währinger Straße 17, 1090 Wien, Austria
Investigations into the genesis and dynamical properties of cave ice are
essential for assessing the climate significance of these underground
glaciers. We drilled an ice core through a 7.1 m thick ice body filling a
large cavern of the dynamic ice cave Eisenriesenwelt (Austria). In addition
to visual core inspections, quasi-continuous measurements at 2 cm resolution
comprised particulate matter, stable water isotope (δ<sup>18</sup>O,
δ<i>D</i>) and electrolytic conductivity profiles supplemented by
specifically selected samples analysed for tritium and radiocarbon. We found
that recent ablation led to an almost complete loss of bomb derived tritium
removing any ice accumulated, since at least, the early fifties leaving the
actual ice surface even below the natural tritium level. The small
particulate organic masses made radiocarbon dating inconclusive, though a
crude estimate gave a maximum ice age in the order of several thousand
years. The visual stratigraphy and all investigated parameters showed a
clear dichotomy between the upper 4 m and the bottom 3 m of the core, which
points to a substantial change in the ice formation process. Main features
of the core comprise the changing appearance and composition of distinct
cyro-calcite layers, a extremely low total ion content and a surprisingly
high variability of the isotope signature. Co-isotope evaluation (δ<i>D</i>
versus δ<sup>18</sup>O) of the core in comparison with data from
precipitation and karst spring water clearly indicate that ice formation is
governed by (slow) freezing of dripping water.
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