A 15-year firn core record from Mount Brown South in Wilhelm II Land, East Antarctica, measures methanesulphonic acid (MSA) concentrations. The dataset was produced by the Australian Antarctic Data Centre (AU_AADC) as part of project ASAC_757, with data collection likely concluding around 1998. It investigates the correlation between MSA levels and regional Antarctic sea-ice extent.
Use Cases
- Correlating methanesulphonic acid (MSA) concentration time-series with local (60-120° E) sea-ice extent records.
- Testing the Law Dome MSA-sea-ice proxy relationship at a second East Antarctic site using the 15-year MSA record.
- Analyzing temporal trends in the MSA record to infer potential changes in circum-Antarctic sea ice.
- Calibrating ice core chemical data against instrumental sea-ice observations from the coastal region surrounding Mount Brown.
Strengths
- 15-year continuous temporal record from a single ice core site.
- Data provides empirical evidence to test a proposed sea-ice proxy (MSA) at a new Antarctic location.
Limitations
- The record is described as a 'short firn core', suggesting a limited depth and temporal span compared to deeper historical cores.
- The authors note a deeper ice core is required to confirm a suggested sea-ice decline, indicating this dataset may be preliminary.
- Data is temporally stale, with the last update recorded in 1998.
Provenance
- Source
- Australian Antarctic Data Centre (AU_AADC), ASAC project 757.
- Collection Method
- Chemical analysis of a firn (compacted snow) ice core collected from Mount Brown South.
- Time Range
- 15 years (specific start year unknown, collection likely ended circa 1998).
- Freshness
- 1998-12-31
- Geography
- Mount Brown South, Wilhelm II Land, East Antarctica.