WAIS Divide Ice Core Oxygen and Nitrogen Isotope Measurements

A 2011 dataset contains low-resolution measurements of d15N of N2 and d18O of O2 from the 3405-meter WAIS Divide ice core. Supporting data includes dO2/N and dAr/N2 ratios. The data was provided by the organization AMD_USAPDC and was last updated in the system in 1999.

Use Cases

• Analyze trends in d18O of O2 to infer past atmospheric oxygen cycles.
• Correlate d15N of N2 measurements with other ice core proxies for climate reconstruction.
• Use dO2/N and dAr/N2 ratios to correct for gas fractionation processes in the firn.
• Study the relationship between isotopic signatures in the 3405 m WAIS Divide core and global climate events.

Strengths

• Data originates from a 3405-meter-long ice core, providing a deep climate record.
• Includes multiple isotopic measurements (d15N, d18O) and supporting ratios (dO2/N, dAr/N2).

Limitations

• The dataset is described as low-resolution, limiting fine-scale temporal analysis.
• The last known system update was in 1999, indicating potential staleness.
• Specific row counts, file formats, and detailed column definitions are unknown.

Provenance

Source

AMD_USAPDC via NASA Earthdata.

Collection Method

Measurements from the WAIS Divide ice core recovered in 2011.

Time Range

Temporal coverage of the ice core record is not specified.

Freshness

Data last updated in the system on 1999-12-31.

Geography

WAIS Divide, Antarctica.