Puruogangri Ice Cap 500-Year Trace Element Record

NOAA's Paleoclimatology archive provides a 500-year time series of trace element data from an ice core drilled in the Puruogangri Ice Cap, China. The data coverage spans from 453 to -45 calendar years before present, indicating a record extending into the future relative to the 1950 baseline. This dataset was published by NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information in 1995.

Use Cases

• Analyze temporal trends in specific trace element concentrations (e.g., lead, zinc) to reconstruct past atmospheric pollution.
• Correlate ice core trace element time-series data with known volcanic eruptions or industrial periods to identify deposition events.
• Calibrate climate proxy models using the 500-year chronology of elemental deposition from the Puruogangri Ice Cap.

Strengths

• Provides a continuous 500-year time series of trace element data.
• Data is curated and archived by the authoritative NOAA World Data Service for Paleoclimatology.

Limitations

• The dataset's last known update was in 1995, making it temporally stale for contemporary analysis.
• Specific trace element parameters, measurement units, and data quality flags are not detailed in the provided description.

Provenance

Source

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) World Data Service (WDS) for Paleoclimatology.

Collection Method

Ice core drilling and subsequent laboratory analysis for trace elements.

Time Range

453 to -45 calendar years before present (BP).

Freshness

1995-01-01

Geography

Puruogangri Ice Cap, China, Eastern Asia.