Elemental concentrations and Sr-Nd isotopic tratio of surface snow near Dome Fuji, Antarctica

Snow ice sample in Antarctica contains particulate matter. Particulates originate from continent, volcano, sea, space, and organism. The particulate matter of continental origin contains many elements from minerals and rocks. The isotopic ratio of an element reflects the origin and the history of the particle. Since the isotopic composition of Strontium (Sr) or Neodymium (Nd) depends on the formation ages of the earth crust, the information about the source of the particulate matter of continental origin can be estimated by analyzing the isotopic ratios of Sr and Nd. In this research, elemental concentrations of major elements and isotopic ratios of Sr and Nd in surface snow collected on the route form coastal area to Dome Fuji in Antarctica were analyzed. The quantitative analyses of elements were performed using the ion chromatograph and quadrupole type inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). The concentrations of Sr and Nd contained in surface snow were ca. 40 ppt and ca. 1 ppt, respectively. Sr and Nd isotopic ratio were measured using the multi-collector type ICP-MS. For this sample, the ratio 87Sr/86Sr = 0.7096 and ɛNd = -10 were acquired. Further results and discussion about the origin of particulate matter will be presented.