Trace Gases in Polar Ice Cores (Project ID=atm-2)
Faculty Sponsor Eric Saltzman
      The gases trapped in polar ice cores are a remarkable archive for investigating the chemical changes in our atmosphere. Most of the research to date has been on greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4, N2O), but there are a wide range of other gases present in the atmosphere including hydrocarbons, halocarbons, sulfur gases, and nitrogen gases which have not been studied. These ice archive of these trace gases may contain a wealth of information about biogeochemical cycles, atmospheric chemistry, and the impact of man's activities on the atmosphere.
      This project will involve making measurements of trace gases in Antarctic ice cores to assess whether the ice archive does accurately record the composition of the ancient atmosphere, and to examine variations over the past few thousand years. The research experience will involve learning how to extract gases from air bubbles in ice, and how to analyze the chemical composition of the extracted air using a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer. (Project Time Allocations: Computer Lab = 20%, Chemistry Lab = 80%, Fieldwork = 0%)

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