Wolff, E. W.; Bigler, M.; Curran, M. A. J.; Dibb, J. E.; Frey, M. M.; Legrand, M.; McConnell, J. R. (2016). Comment on “Low time resolution analysis of polar ice cores cannot detect impulsive nitrate events” by D.F. Smart et al. Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 121 (3), pp. 1920-1924. 10.1002/2015JA021570
Text
JGR_Space_Physics_-_2016_-_Wolff_-_Comment_on__Low_time_resolution_analysis_of_polar_ice_cores_cannot_detect_impulsive.pdf - Published Version Restricted to registered users only Available under License Publisher holds Copyright. Download (311kB) | Request a copy |
Smart et al. (2014) suggested that the detection of nitrate spikes in polar ice cores from solar energetic particle (SEP) events could be achieved if an analytical system with sufficiently high resolution was used. Here we show that the spikes they associate with SEP events are not reliably recorded in cores from the same location, even when the resolution is clearly adequate. We explain the processes that limit the effective resolution of ice cores. Liquid conductivity data suggest that the observed spikes are associated with sodium or another nonacidic cation, making it likely that they result from deposition of sea salt or similar aerosol that has scavenged nitrate, rather than from a primary input of nitrate in the troposphere. We consider that there is no evidence at present to support the identification of any spikes in nitrate as representing SEP events. Although such events undoubtedly create nitrate in the atmosphere, we see no plausible route to using nitrate spikes to document the statistics of such events.
Item Type: |
Journal Article (Original Article) |
---|---|
PHBern Contributor: |
Bigler, Matthias |
ISSN: |
2169-9380 |
Language: |
English |
Submitter: |
Matthias Bigler |
Date Deposited: |
29 Jan 2024 12:06 |
Last Modified: |
03 Feb 2024 13:28 |
Publisher DOI: |
10.1002/2015JA021570 |
PHBern DOI: |
10.57694/7215 |
URI: |
https://phrepo.phbern.ch/id/eprint/7215 |