Authors: Nakazawa, Fumio; Fujita, Koji

Source: Annals of Glaciology, Volume 43, Number 1, September 2006 , pp. 167-171(5)

Publisher: International Glaciological Society

Abstract:

This study examines a new method for reconstructing mean summer temperature variations by using an ice core from a wet-snow zone on a summer-accumulation-type glacier. In July 2001, a 25.1 m deep ice core was recovered from the accumulation area of Sofiyskiy glacier (49°47′ N, 87°43′ E; 3435 m a.s.l.), located in the southern Chuyskiy range of the Russian Altai mountains, and a 4.5 m deep pit was excavated about 50 m northwest of the drill site. The observation site has a positive balance even during summer when melting occurs. The summer balance for each year from 1990 to 2000 was estimated from Pinaceae and Artemisia pollen peaks in these samples. Pinaceae pollen marks spring, whereas Artemisia pollen marks autumn. Moreover, meltwater intrusion did not reach the previous year's accumulation. Thus, the ice between these pollen peaks in the same year was used to estimate a summer balance. The reconstructed summer balance variations were negatively correlated with mean summer temperature variations (r = −0.72, P < 0.05). This study shows that, for summer-accumulation-type glaciers such as Sofiyskiy glacier, the most important climate factor controlling the glacier's surface mass balance is mean summer temperature. Therefore, the summer layer thickness in an ice core can be used as a proxy for reconstructing mean summer temperature variations.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3189/172756406781812302

Publication date: 2006-09-01

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• The Annals of Glaciology is a peer-reviewed, thematic journal published 2 to 4 times a year by the International Glaciological Society (IGS). Publication frequency is determined and volume/issue numbers assigned by the IGS Council on a year-to-year basis and with a lead time of 3 to 4 years. The Annals of Glaciology is included in the ISI Science Citation Index from volume 50, number 50 onwards.

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