J. Phys. IV France 107 (2003) 629
DOI: 10.1051/jp4:20030382

Changes in the natural lead, cadmium, zinc, and copper concentrations in the Vostok Antarctic ice over, the last two glacial-interglacial cycles (240,000 years)

S. Hong¹, J.K. Park^{1, 2}, C.F. Boutron^{3, 4}, C.P. Ferrari^{3, 5}, J.R. Petit³ and V.Y. Lipenkov<sup>6

1</sup>  Polar Sciences Laboratory, Korea Ocean Research and Development Institute, Ansan, P.O. Box 29, Seoul 425-600, Korea
²  Department of Oceanography, Inha University, Incheon 402-751, Korea
³  Laboratoire de Glaciologie et Géophysique de l'Environnement, CNRS, BP. 96, 38402 Saint-Martin-d'Hères cedex, France
⁴  Observatoire des Sciences de l'Univers et Unité de Formation et de Recherche de Physique, Université Joseph Fourier de Grenoble, Institut Universitaire de France, BP. 68, 38041 Grenoble, France
⁵  Institut des Sciences et Techniques, Université Joseph Fourier de Grenoble, 28 avenue Benoît Frachon, BP. 53, 38041 Grenoble, France
⁶  Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute, Beringa Street 38, 199397 St. Petersburg, Russia

Abstract
We present new ice core records showing the temporal variation in the natural Pb, Cd, Zn, and Cu concentrations in the Vostok Antarctic ice over the past 240,000 years. Our data show that concentrations of these heavy metals have varied remarkably over the last two glacial-interglacial cycles. The concentrations ranged from 0.9 to 21.3, 0.04 to 0.62, 3.12 to 126, and 2.27 to 37.4 pg/g for Pb, Cd, Zn, and Cu, respectively. These profiles provide a better understanding of climate-related variation in the occurrence of these heavy metals in ancient Antarctic ice. The concentrations were much higher during cold glacial periods than during interglacials, and peaked at the coldest glacial stages. The contribution of rock and soil dust is estimated to be close to the measured concentrations of Pb, Zn, and Cu, but not Cd, in the ice during cold glacial periods.

© EDP Sciences 2003