Vladimir Aizen | University of Idaho (original) (raw)

Papers by Vladimir Aizen

Research paper thumbnail of Cryobiological ice core analyses in Altai Mountains, Russia

ABSTRACT Microorganism in two shallow ice cores from the Sofiskiy Glacier (25.1m in length, taken... more ABSTRACT Microorganism in two shallow ice cores from the Sofiskiy Glacier (25.1m in length, taken at 3,435 m a.s.l.. in Jul, 2001) and the Belukha Glacier (20.94m in length, taken at 4,110m a.s.l. in Jul, 2001), Altai range of Russia, were examined for potential use in ice core analyses of this area. These ice cores and pit samples collected at the coring sits contained 6 types of unicellular green algal cells including 2 species of snow algae (Mesotenium.sp¡øTrochiscia.sp), one species of unicellular cyanobacteria, 2 species of snow fungi£"Chionaster nivalis¡øChionaster bicornis£cand unidentified bacteria. Vertical profiles of these microorganisms and that of Delta 18O in the snow pits (4.5m depth in Sofiskiy Glacier and 2.42m depth in Belukha Glacier) indicated their growth in the surface snow during the melting season. Biomass and species diversity of these microorganisms in the surface snow decreased with altitude, probably due to the colder condition. Biomass and species diversity in the ice cores were smaller than those in pit samples, suggesting the effects of washout and/or cell decomposition after deposition. Especially, fungus cells were very rare in the ice cores probably due to heavy cell decomposition. In both ice cores, however, seasonal cycles were still found for the snow algal biomass, though Delta 18O failed to show any clear seasonal variation, particularly at deeper part, probably due to heavy melt-water percolation. Supposing that the layers with almost no snow algae were the winter layers without melt water essential to algal growth, we estimated that Sofiskiy ice core and Belukha ice core contained about 15 and 10 annual layers, respectively. Snow algae in the ice core would be accurate boundary markers of annual layers in the ice cores of this region. Relationship between the snow algae in each annual layers and the meteorological data at the nearest meteorological station will also be discussed.

Research paper thumbnail of PALEO-CLIMATIC and ENVIRONMENTAL ICE CORE RESEARCH, DATA ANALYSIS and INTERPRETATION (mid- low- latitudes, high altitudes glaciers at the Northern Hemisphere)

and Lanzhou Institute were also involved in the Siberian and Tibetan field and analytical researc... more and Lanzhou Institute were also involved in the Siberian and Tibetan field and analytical research during FY2002/2003. 1. PREFACE One of the most valuable information about past climate and environmental changes lies in glacial ice, which records preserve precipitated snow for hundreds to thousands of years. These records from pre-industrial or even prehistoric time can be examined through snow-ice stratigraphy and geochemical analysis for stable and radioactive isotopes, major ions, trace elements and green house gases (GHG). We can link this information with changes in atmospheric circulation, air temperature, snow accumulation, atmospheric composition, marine and continental biogenic activity, aerosol loading/volcanic eruptions, continental dust source regions, forest fire activity, anthropogenic emissions, solar variability, radionuclide deposition and the GHG chemical composition of the atmosphere. Supplementary long-term (50 to 150 years) information including meteorological, hydrological, and atmospheric chemistry observational data is used for our statistical calibration, validation and interpretation analyses. Our project is a multidisciplinary , multi-institutional, international effort in ice-coring paleo-climatic environmental research and we working to help better understand the impacts of global and environmental changes on the natural ecosystems. In this report, we present some results of our research performed in FY2002/2003. The presented report is composed of three parts: 'Part I' is the results of two reconnaissance in summers 2001 and 2002, and the summer 2003 deep ice-coring expedition in the Siberian Altai, 'Part II' is a result from the first field reconnaissance in SouthEastern Tibet and Himalaya in the fall of 2002, 'Part III' describes our efforts in establishing a new ice-core processing laboratory and ice-core storage facilities at the University of Idaho. All the above research was conducted under the Project: 'Paleo-Climatic and Environmental Ice Core Research, Data Analysis and Interpretation in Asia Mountains'. Our research goal is to recover ice-core isotope-geochemical records containing information on large-scale atmospheric dynamics, the precipitationorigin, the natural and anthropogenic impact on climatic variability during industrial and pre-industrial time to understand past and forecast future Global Changes PART I. GLACIO-MONITORING 2001, 2002 and 2003 DEEP ICE-CORING EXPEDITION in SIBERIAN ALTAI Overview After successfully recovering two deep ice-cores from central Tien Shan in the summer 2000 we focused our research on Siberian Altai and southeastern Tibet-Himalaya (Figure 1.1). The spatial coverage of available snow, firn and ice records is inadequate to document climatic and environmental change over the vast Asian continent. However, environmental records for the northwestern periphery of the central Asia mountain system (CAMS), obtained from Tien Shan firn/ice cores (Kreutz and others, 2001, 2003; Aizen and others, in press a, b) and firn/ice-core records from alpine areas in Siberia (Aizen and others, in press b; Olivier and others, 2003), are extending the area of climatic and environmental analyses in Asia.

Research paper thumbnail of Abrupt and moderate climate changes in the mid-latitudes of Asia during the Holocene

Journal of Glaciology, Apr 5, 2016

A multiple parameter dating technique was used to establish a depth/age scale for a 171.3 m (145.... more A multiple parameter dating technique was used to establish a depth/age scale for a 171.3 m (145.87 m w.e.) surface to bedrock ice core (Bl2003) recovered from the cold recrystallization accumulation zone of the Western Belukha Plateau (4115 m a.s.l.) in the Siberian Altai Mountains. The ice-core record presented visible layering of annual accumulation and of δ 18 O/δD stable isotopes, and a clear tritium reference horizon. A steady-state glacier flow model for layer thinning was calibrated and applied to establish a depth/age scale. Four radiocarbon (14 C) measurements of particulate organic carbon contained in ice-core samples revealed dates for the bottom part of Bl2003 from 9075 ± 1221 cal a BC at 145.2 ± 0.1 m w.e. (0.665 m w.e. from the bedrock) to 790 ± 93 AD at 121.1 m w.e. depth. Sulfate peaks coincident with volcanic eruptions, the Tunguska meteorite event, and the 1842 dust storm were used to verify dating. Analysis of the Bl2003 ice core reveals that the modern Altai glaciers were formed during the Younger Dryas (YD) (∼10 950 to ∼7500 cal a BC), and that they survived the Holocene Climate Optimum (HCO) (∼6500 to ∼3600 cal a BC) and the Medieval Warm Period (MWP) (∼640 to ∼1100 AD). A decrease in air temperature at the beginning and an abrupt increase at the end of the YD were identified. Intensification of winds and dust loading related to Asian desert expansion also characterized the YD. During the YD major ion concentrations increased significantly, up to 50 times for Na + (background), up to 45 times for Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ , and up to 20 times for SO 4 2− relative to the recent warm period from 1993 to 2003. A warm period lasted for about three centuries following the YD signaling onset of the HCO. A significant and prolonged decrease in air temperature from ∼2000 to ∼600 cal a BC was associated with a severe centennial drought (SCD). A sharp increase in air temperatures after the SCD was coincident with the MWP. After the MWP a cooling was followed gradually with further onset of the Little Ice Age. During the modern warm period (1973-2003) an increase in air temperature is noted, which nearly reaches the average of HCO and MWP air temperature values.

Research paper thumbnail of A twentieth century major soluble ion record of dust and anthropogenic pollutants from Inilchek Glacier, Tien Shan

Journal Of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, Feb 2, 2017

First high-resolution multi-decadal (1908-1995) major soluble ion record from Inilchek glacier, T... more First high-resolution multi-decadal (1908-1995) major soluble ion record from Inilchek glacier, Tien Shan, Kyrgyzstan.  Highest Ca 2+ concentrations occur between 1950s-1970s, with declining trends to the 1990s, reflecting decreases in dust storm activity.  Non-crustal contribution estimates of NO 3-, K + , SO 4 2-, and Clsuggest discernable anthropogenic inputs began between the 1950s-1970s

Research paper thumbnail of Mid-twentieth century increases in anthropogenic Pb, Cd and Cu in central Asia set in hemispheric perspective using Tien Shan ice core

Atmospheric Environment, Apr 1, 2016

h i g h l i g h t s Major/trace element records (1908e1995) were retrieved from central Asian ice... more h i g h l i g h t s Major/trace element records (1908e1995) were retrieved from central Asian ice core. Pb, Cd and Cu reveal anthropogenic contributions beginning in the 1950s. Pb, Cd and Cu reflect anthropogenic emissions from the Soviet Union and China. Anthropogenic sources include non-ferrous metals, coal and phosphate fertilizers.

Research paper thumbnail of Evolution of snow algae, from cosmopolitans to endemics, revealed by DNA analysis of ancient ice

The ISME Journal

Recent studies of microbial biogeography have revealed the global distribution of cosmopolitans a... more Recent studies of microbial biogeography have revealed the global distribution of cosmopolitans and dispersal of regional endemics, but little is known about how these processes are affected by microbial evolution. Here, we compared DNA sequences from snow/glacier algae found in an 8000-year-old ice from a glacier in central Asia with those from modern snow samples collected at 34 snow samples from globally distributed sites at the poles and mid-latitudes, to determine the evolutionary relationship between cosmopolitan and endemic phylotypes of snow algae. We further applied a coalescent theory–based demographic model to the DNA sequences. We found that the genus Raphidonema (Trebouxiophyceae) was distributed over both poles and mid-latitude regions and was detected in different ice core layers, corresponding to distinct time periods. Our results indicate that the modern cosmopolitan phylotypes belonging to Raphidonema were persistently present long before the last glacial period. F...

Research paper thumbnail of Mineral composition of dust layers in a shallow ice core drilled in Pamir Alay Mountains of Central Asia

Japan Geoscience Union, Mar 14, 2019

Research paper thumbnail of Passing the warm periods in Holocene in Central Asia - evidences from the ice-core records

AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts, Dec 1, 2019

Research paper thumbnail of Dissolved Chemical Ions in an Ice Core of Grigoriev Ice Cap, Kyrgyz Tien Shan

AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts, Dec 1, 2012

Research paper thumbnail of Climate Impact on the Cryosphere Changes and Aridity in Pamir

EGU General Assembly Conference Abstracts, Apr 1, 2018

Research paper thumbnail of Central Asia climate and glacier-water resources changes and possible consequences

AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts, Dec 1, 2019

Research paper thumbnail of Neoglaciation in Central Asia, Climate and Moisture Sources Reconstruction from Altai, Pamir, and Tien Shan Ice-cores

AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts, Dec 1, 2018

Research paper thumbnail of Pollen analysis of ice cores drilled in the Pamir-Arai Mountains, central Asia

Japan Geoscience Union, Mar 14, 2019

Research paper thumbnail of Historical Snow Cover and Water Resources Change in central Asia

AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts, Dec 1, 2012

Research paper thumbnail of Snow algae in an ice core drilled on Grigoriev Ice cap in the Kyrgyz Tien Shen Mountains

Summaries of JSSI and JSSE Joint Conference on Snow and Ice Research, 2011

Research paper thumbnail of Carbonate mineral particles observed in a layer of an ice core drilled from Grigoriev ice cap in Kyrgyz Tienshan, Central Asia

Japan Geoscience Union, 2016

In 2007, an 87 m-deep ice core were successfully drilled on Grigoriev Ice Cap (4600 m a.s.l.) loc... more In 2007, an 87 m-deep ice core were successfully drilled on Grigoriev Ice Cap (4600 m a.s.l.) located in the Tien Shan Mountains, Kyrgyztan. We report a layer rich in carbonate mineral particles found at 53.5 m deep in the ice core. Although a number of dust layers consisting of silicate mineral particles were contained in the ice core, the layer contained less silicate, but abundant carbonate mineral particles. Significant negative stable isotope values and higher concentrations of major chemical solutes were also observed at the layers. Pollen based dating of the ice core showed that the layer corresponded to 1833 A.D. Results suggest that the layer was derived from a huge storm. Although the origin of the carbonate minerals is still mystery, it is probably far distant arid area.

Research paper thumbnail of Preliminary report on the ice core drilling in Pamir-Arai Mountains, Central Asia in 2016

Japan Geoscience Union, 2017

Research paper thumbnail of IPCC Fifth Assessment Report: Chapter 24 Asia

Key observed and projected climate change impacts are summarized in Tables 24-1, SM24-4, and SM24... more Key observed and projected climate change impacts are summarized in Tables 24-1, SM24-4, and SM24-5 (based on Sections 24.4.1-6).

Research paper thumbnail of Central Asia Climate Change: Altai, Tien Shan And Pamir Ice Cores Contemporary And Paleo-Reconstruction

Research paper thumbnail of SEM observation of insoluble particles in an ice core drilled from Grigoriev Ice core, Tien Shan Mountains

Japan Geoscience Union, 2017

Ice cores usually contain insoluble particles, such as volcanic ash, pollen and mineral particles... more Ice cores usually contain insoluble particles, such as volcanic ash, pollen and mineral particles, which have been blown on glaciers by wind. Volcanic ash has been used to identify the age of layers and mineral dusts are used as proxies of land surface or climate. Ice cores drilled from mountain glaciers in mid or low latitude areas contain abundant mineral dust. Although the abundance of mineral particles is often quantified with a particle analyzer, the morphology and elemental composition of each particle has not been studied well. In this study, we analyzed mineral particles in the ice core drilled from Grigoriev Ice Cap in Tien Shan in Central Asia, with a scanning electrical microscope (SEM) and classified them based on their elemental compositions analyzed with EDS. The size of mineral particles in the ice core ranged up to 30 μm in diameter, but was mostly smaller than 10 μm. Based on the elemental composition, 60 90% of analyzed particles were Si or Al-rich particles. They ...

Research paper thumbnail of Cryobiological ice core analyses in Altai Mountains, Russia

ABSTRACT Microorganism in two shallow ice cores from the Sofiskiy Glacier (25.1m in length, taken... more ABSTRACT Microorganism in two shallow ice cores from the Sofiskiy Glacier (25.1m in length, taken at 3,435 m a.s.l.. in Jul, 2001) and the Belukha Glacier (20.94m in length, taken at 4,110m a.s.l. in Jul, 2001), Altai range of Russia, were examined for potential use in ice core analyses of this area. These ice cores and pit samples collected at the coring sits contained 6 types of unicellular green algal cells including 2 species of snow algae (Mesotenium.sp¡øTrochiscia.sp), one species of unicellular cyanobacteria, 2 species of snow fungi£"Chionaster nivalis¡øChionaster bicornis£cand unidentified bacteria. Vertical profiles of these microorganisms and that of Delta 18O in the snow pits (4.5m depth in Sofiskiy Glacier and 2.42m depth in Belukha Glacier) indicated their growth in the surface snow during the melting season. Biomass and species diversity of these microorganisms in the surface snow decreased with altitude, probably due to the colder condition. Biomass and species diversity in the ice cores were smaller than those in pit samples, suggesting the effects of washout and/or cell decomposition after deposition. Especially, fungus cells were very rare in the ice cores probably due to heavy cell decomposition. In both ice cores, however, seasonal cycles were still found for the snow algal biomass, though Delta 18O failed to show any clear seasonal variation, particularly at deeper part, probably due to heavy melt-water percolation. Supposing that the layers with almost no snow algae were the winter layers without melt water essential to algal growth, we estimated that Sofiskiy ice core and Belukha ice core contained about 15 and 10 annual layers, respectively. Snow algae in the ice core would be accurate boundary markers of annual layers in the ice cores of this region. Relationship between the snow algae in each annual layers and the meteorological data at the nearest meteorological station will also be discussed.

Research paper thumbnail of PALEO-CLIMATIC and ENVIRONMENTAL ICE CORE RESEARCH, DATA ANALYSIS and INTERPRETATION (mid- low- latitudes, high altitudes glaciers at the Northern Hemisphere)

and Lanzhou Institute were also involved in the Siberian and Tibetan field and analytical researc... more and Lanzhou Institute were also involved in the Siberian and Tibetan field and analytical research during FY2002/2003. 1. PREFACE One of the most valuable information about past climate and environmental changes lies in glacial ice, which records preserve precipitated snow for hundreds to thousands of years. These records from pre-industrial or even prehistoric time can be examined through snow-ice stratigraphy and geochemical analysis for stable and radioactive isotopes, major ions, trace elements and green house gases (GHG). We can link this information with changes in atmospheric circulation, air temperature, snow accumulation, atmospheric composition, marine and continental biogenic activity, aerosol loading/volcanic eruptions, continental dust source regions, forest fire activity, anthropogenic emissions, solar variability, radionuclide deposition and the GHG chemical composition of the atmosphere. Supplementary long-term (50 to 150 years) information including meteorological, hydrological, and atmospheric chemistry observational data is used for our statistical calibration, validation and interpretation analyses. Our project is a multidisciplinary , multi-institutional, international effort in ice-coring paleo-climatic environmental research and we working to help better understand the impacts of global and environmental changes on the natural ecosystems. In this report, we present some results of our research performed in FY2002/2003. The presented report is composed of three parts: 'Part I' is the results of two reconnaissance in summers 2001 and 2002, and the summer 2003 deep ice-coring expedition in the Siberian Altai, 'Part II' is a result from the first field reconnaissance in SouthEastern Tibet and Himalaya in the fall of 2002, 'Part III' describes our efforts in establishing a new ice-core processing laboratory and ice-core storage facilities at the University of Idaho. All the above research was conducted under the Project: 'Paleo-Climatic and Environmental Ice Core Research, Data Analysis and Interpretation in Asia Mountains'. Our research goal is to recover ice-core isotope-geochemical records containing information on large-scale atmospheric dynamics, the precipitationorigin, the natural and anthropogenic impact on climatic variability during industrial and pre-industrial time to understand past and forecast future Global Changes PART I. GLACIO-MONITORING 2001, 2002 and 2003 DEEP ICE-CORING EXPEDITION in SIBERIAN ALTAI Overview After successfully recovering two deep ice-cores from central Tien Shan in the summer 2000 we focused our research on Siberian Altai and southeastern Tibet-Himalaya (Figure 1.1). The spatial coverage of available snow, firn and ice records is inadequate to document climatic and environmental change over the vast Asian continent. However, environmental records for the northwestern periphery of the central Asia mountain system (CAMS), obtained from Tien Shan firn/ice cores (Kreutz and others, 2001, 2003; Aizen and others, in press a, b) and firn/ice-core records from alpine areas in Siberia (Aizen and others, in press b; Olivier and others, 2003), are extending the area of climatic and environmental analyses in Asia.

Research paper thumbnail of Abrupt and moderate climate changes in the mid-latitudes of Asia during the Holocene

Journal of Glaciology, Apr 5, 2016

A multiple parameter dating technique was used to establish a depth/age scale for a 171.3 m (145.... more A multiple parameter dating technique was used to establish a depth/age scale for a 171.3 m (145.87 m w.e.) surface to bedrock ice core (Bl2003) recovered from the cold recrystallization accumulation zone of the Western Belukha Plateau (4115 m a.s.l.) in the Siberian Altai Mountains. The ice-core record presented visible layering of annual accumulation and of δ 18 O/δD stable isotopes, and a clear tritium reference horizon. A steady-state glacier flow model for layer thinning was calibrated and applied to establish a depth/age scale. Four radiocarbon (14 C) measurements of particulate organic carbon contained in ice-core samples revealed dates for the bottom part of Bl2003 from 9075 ± 1221 cal a BC at 145.2 ± 0.1 m w.e. (0.665 m w.e. from the bedrock) to 790 ± 93 AD at 121.1 m w.e. depth. Sulfate peaks coincident with volcanic eruptions, the Tunguska meteorite event, and the 1842 dust storm were used to verify dating. Analysis of the Bl2003 ice core reveals that the modern Altai glaciers were formed during the Younger Dryas (YD) (∼10 950 to ∼7500 cal a BC), and that they survived the Holocene Climate Optimum (HCO) (∼6500 to ∼3600 cal a BC) and the Medieval Warm Period (MWP) (∼640 to ∼1100 AD). A decrease in air temperature at the beginning and an abrupt increase at the end of the YD were identified. Intensification of winds and dust loading related to Asian desert expansion also characterized the YD. During the YD major ion concentrations increased significantly, up to 50 times for Na + (background), up to 45 times for Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ , and up to 20 times for SO 4 2− relative to the recent warm period from 1993 to 2003. A warm period lasted for about three centuries following the YD signaling onset of the HCO. A significant and prolonged decrease in air temperature from ∼2000 to ∼600 cal a BC was associated with a severe centennial drought (SCD). A sharp increase in air temperatures after the SCD was coincident with the MWP. After the MWP a cooling was followed gradually with further onset of the Little Ice Age. During the modern warm period (1973-2003) an increase in air temperature is noted, which nearly reaches the average of HCO and MWP air temperature values.

Research paper thumbnail of A twentieth century major soluble ion record of dust and anthropogenic pollutants from Inilchek Glacier, Tien Shan

Journal Of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, Feb 2, 2017

First high-resolution multi-decadal (1908-1995) major soluble ion record from Inilchek glacier, T... more First high-resolution multi-decadal (1908-1995) major soluble ion record from Inilchek glacier, Tien Shan, Kyrgyzstan.  Highest Ca 2+ concentrations occur between 1950s-1970s, with declining trends to the 1990s, reflecting decreases in dust storm activity.  Non-crustal contribution estimates of NO 3-, K + , SO 4 2-, and Clsuggest discernable anthropogenic inputs began between the 1950s-1970s

Research paper thumbnail of Mid-twentieth century increases in anthropogenic Pb, Cd and Cu in central Asia set in hemispheric perspective using Tien Shan ice core

Atmospheric Environment, Apr 1, 2016

h i g h l i g h t s Major/trace element records (1908e1995) were retrieved from central Asian ice... more h i g h l i g h t s Major/trace element records (1908e1995) were retrieved from central Asian ice core. Pb, Cd and Cu reveal anthropogenic contributions beginning in the 1950s. Pb, Cd and Cu reflect anthropogenic emissions from the Soviet Union and China. Anthropogenic sources include non-ferrous metals, coal and phosphate fertilizers.

Research paper thumbnail of Evolution of snow algae, from cosmopolitans to endemics, revealed by DNA analysis of ancient ice

The ISME Journal

Recent studies of microbial biogeography have revealed the global distribution of cosmopolitans a... more Recent studies of microbial biogeography have revealed the global distribution of cosmopolitans and dispersal of regional endemics, but little is known about how these processes are affected by microbial evolution. Here, we compared DNA sequences from snow/glacier algae found in an 8000-year-old ice from a glacier in central Asia with those from modern snow samples collected at 34 snow samples from globally distributed sites at the poles and mid-latitudes, to determine the evolutionary relationship between cosmopolitan and endemic phylotypes of snow algae. We further applied a coalescent theory–based demographic model to the DNA sequences. We found that the genus Raphidonema (Trebouxiophyceae) was distributed over both poles and mid-latitude regions and was detected in different ice core layers, corresponding to distinct time periods. Our results indicate that the modern cosmopolitan phylotypes belonging to Raphidonema were persistently present long before the last glacial period. F...

Research paper thumbnail of Mineral composition of dust layers in a shallow ice core drilled in Pamir Alay Mountains of Central Asia

Japan Geoscience Union, Mar 14, 2019

Research paper thumbnail of Passing the warm periods in Holocene in Central Asia - evidences from the ice-core records

AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts, Dec 1, 2019

Research paper thumbnail of Dissolved Chemical Ions in an Ice Core of Grigoriev Ice Cap, Kyrgyz Tien Shan

AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts, Dec 1, 2012

Research paper thumbnail of Climate Impact on the Cryosphere Changes and Aridity in Pamir

EGU General Assembly Conference Abstracts, Apr 1, 2018

Research paper thumbnail of Central Asia climate and glacier-water resources changes and possible consequences

AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts, Dec 1, 2019

Research paper thumbnail of Neoglaciation in Central Asia, Climate and Moisture Sources Reconstruction from Altai, Pamir, and Tien Shan Ice-cores

AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts, Dec 1, 2018

Research paper thumbnail of Pollen analysis of ice cores drilled in the Pamir-Arai Mountains, central Asia

Japan Geoscience Union, Mar 14, 2019

Research paper thumbnail of Historical Snow Cover and Water Resources Change in central Asia

AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts, Dec 1, 2012

Research paper thumbnail of Snow algae in an ice core drilled on Grigoriev Ice cap in the Kyrgyz Tien Shen Mountains

Summaries of JSSI and JSSE Joint Conference on Snow and Ice Research, 2011

Research paper thumbnail of Carbonate mineral particles observed in a layer of an ice core drilled from Grigoriev ice cap in Kyrgyz Tienshan, Central Asia

Japan Geoscience Union, 2016

In 2007, an 87 m-deep ice core were successfully drilled on Grigoriev Ice Cap (4600 m a.s.l.) loc... more In 2007, an 87 m-deep ice core were successfully drilled on Grigoriev Ice Cap (4600 m a.s.l.) located in the Tien Shan Mountains, Kyrgyztan. We report a layer rich in carbonate mineral particles found at 53.5 m deep in the ice core. Although a number of dust layers consisting of silicate mineral particles were contained in the ice core, the layer contained less silicate, but abundant carbonate mineral particles. Significant negative stable isotope values and higher concentrations of major chemical solutes were also observed at the layers. Pollen based dating of the ice core showed that the layer corresponded to 1833 A.D. Results suggest that the layer was derived from a huge storm. Although the origin of the carbonate minerals is still mystery, it is probably far distant arid area.

Research paper thumbnail of Preliminary report on the ice core drilling in Pamir-Arai Mountains, Central Asia in 2016

Japan Geoscience Union, 2017

Research paper thumbnail of IPCC Fifth Assessment Report: Chapter 24 Asia

Key observed and projected climate change impacts are summarized in Tables 24-1, SM24-4, and SM24... more Key observed and projected climate change impacts are summarized in Tables 24-1, SM24-4, and SM24-5 (based on Sections 24.4.1-6).

Research paper thumbnail of Central Asia Climate Change: Altai, Tien Shan And Pamir Ice Cores Contemporary And Paleo-Reconstruction

Research paper thumbnail of SEM observation of insoluble particles in an ice core drilled from Grigoriev Ice core, Tien Shan Mountains

Japan Geoscience Union, 2017

Ice cores usually contain insoluble particles, such as volcanic ash, pollen and mineral particles... more Ice cores usually contain insoluble particles, such as volcanic ash, pollen and mineral particles, which have been blown on glaciers by wind. Volcanic ash has been used to identify the age of layers and mineral dusts are used as proxies of land surface or climate. Ice cores drilled from mountain glaciers in mid or low latitude areas contain abundant mineral dust. Although the abundance of mineral particles is often quantified with a particle analyzer, the morphology and elemental composition of each particle has not been studied well. In this study, we analyzed mineral particles in the ice core drilled from Grigoriev Ice Cap in Tien Shan in Central Asia, with a scanning electrical microscope (SEM) and classified them based on their elemental compositions analyzed with EDS. The size of mineral particles in the ice core ranged up to 30 μm in diameter, but was mostly smaller than 10 μm. Based on the elemental composition, 60 90% of analyzed particles were Si or Al-rich particles. They ...