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Stable isotopes in surface snow along a traverse route from Zhongshan station to Dome A, East Antarctica

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Abstract

Samples of surface snow were collected for stable isotope analysis along the traverse route from Zhongshan to Dome A (East Antarctica) from Dec 28th, 2007 to Feb. 8th, 2008. The local relationship between δD and surface temperature is established to be 6.4 ± 0.2 ‰ per °C, very similar to the average for East Antarctic. The deuterium excess shows a pattern of high values over Antarctica, particularly at Dome A. We compare our data with an atmospheric general circulation model which includes stable water isotopes (ECHAM5-wiso). The model simulation captures the right levels of δD, but overestimates δ18O. This study provides support for the ongoing deep ice core project at Dome A.

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Acknowledgments

We are thankful for logistical support provided by CHINARE. This study was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41206179; 41121001), the State Oceanic Administration of People’s Republic of China Project on Climate in Polar Regions (CHINARE2012-02-02,CHINARE2012-04-04) and Post-Doctor Fund (2011M500462). LSCE support from ANR VANISH and Dome A is acknowledged. Ian Allison helped both in science and English.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Climate System, Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China

    C. Xiao, M. Ding & R. Zhang

  2. State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Sciences, Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China

    C. Xiao, M. Ding, J. Ren, C. Li, Y. Wang, X. Cui & X. Wang

  3. IPSL/Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l’Environnement, UMR 8212 CEA/CNRS/UVSQ, CEA Saclay, 91191, Gif-sur-Yvette, France

    V. Masson-Delmotte

  4. Chinese Arctic and Antarctic Administration, Beijing, 100860, China

    B. Jin

  5. Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Bussestr. 24, 27570, Bremerhaven, Germany

    M. Werner

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  1. C. Xiao
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  2. M. Ding
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  3. V. Masson-Delmotte
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  4. R. Zhang
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Correspondence to M. Ding.

Appendix

Appendix

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Table 3 The data of surface snow isotopic compositions along the traverse from Zhongshan station to Dome A in East Antarctica
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Xiao, C., Ding, M., Masson-Delmotte, V. et al. Stable isotopes in surface snow along a traverse route from Zhongshan station to Dome A, East Antarctica. Clim Dyn 41, 2427–2438 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00382-012-1580-0

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