BIOMASS BURNING RECORDED IN THE GISP2 ICE CORE - A RECORD FROM EASTERN CANADA

Combustion byproducts from biomass burning are preserved in annually s tratified layers in the Greenland ice sheet. Electrical conductivity ( ECM) and ammonium records from the GISP2 ice core in central Greenland have been used to develop a 6000-year record of biomass burning. Alth ough there is some uncertainty regarding tie source area for the combu stion byproducts, it is likely that the majority of the material origi nates in eastern Canada. Time periods of high biomass-burning activity occurred in 0-150 BP, 350-750 BP, and 5000 to >6000 BP. The period 11 50-3250 BP is characterized by moderately elevated levels of biomass-b uming activity. These periods are associated with drier conditions. Th e 5000 to >6000 BP period of high biomass-buming activity may also be related to forest successional sequences following the removal of the Laurentide ice sheer. This paper explains how ice cores can be used to develop records oi biomass burning and offers suggestions for future studies.