Extreme fractionation of gases caused by formation of clathrate hydrates in Vostok Antarctic ice

Atmospheric gases are trapped in ice sheets. These gases stored in air-bubb les at shallower depth are gradually transformed into clathrate hydrates be low the depth where the hydrostatic pressure exceeds the dissociation press ure of the clathrate hydrates. We measured Raman spectra of air-bubbles and clathrate hydrates in Vostok Antarctic ice cores in order to determine the fractionation effects on the concentrations of gases during their transiti on process. The results showed variations of the N-2/O-2 ratios with depth. The average N2/O2 ratio in the air-bubbles increases from the atmospheric value at the beginning of the transition to 11.7 at the end. The average N- 2/O-2 ratio for the clathrate hydrates is 2.0 at the beginning, and asympto tically approaches the atmospheric value. This fractionation is attributed to faster diffusion of O-2 than N-2 through the ice lattice.