Publication Date:
2016-05-27
Description:
The sulfur stable isotopic values (δ 34 S) of sulfate aerosols can be used to assess oxidation pathways and contributions from various sources, such as marine biogenic sulfur, volcanoes, and sea salt. However, because of a lack of observations, the spatial distribution of δ 34 S values in Antarctic sulfate aerosols remains unclear. Here, we present the first sulfur isotopic values from surface snow samples along a latitudinal transect in eastern Dronning Maud Land, East Antarctica. The δ 34 S values of sulfate showed remarkably uniform values, in the range of 14.8–16.9‰, and no significant decrease toward the inland part of the transect was noted. These results suggest that net isotopic fractionation during long-range transport is insignificant. Thus, the δ 34 S values can be used to infer source contributions. The δ 34 S values suggest that marine biogenic sulfur is the dominant source of sulfate aerosols, with a fractional contribution of 84 ± 16%.
Print ISSN:
0094-8276
Electronic ISSN:
1944-8007
Topics:
Geosciences
,
Physics
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