The seasonal variations of delta O-18, Cl-, Na+, NO3- and Ca2+ in the snowand firn recovered from Princess Elizabeth Land, Antarctica

Snow and firn samples recovered from two snow pits (2.5 and 4.5 m deep) and one 50-m firn core along the route of the 1996/1997 Chinese First Antarcti c Inland Traverse Expedition in Princess Elizabeth Land, East Antarctica, h ave been measured for chemical composition and oxygen isotope ratio, in the two snow pits, the variations of NO3- are partly in phase with that of del ta(18)O, while the variations of Cl- and Na+ are in inverse phase with that of delta(18)O. The variations of Cl-, Na+, NO3- and delta(18)O show obviou s seasonal variations and annual stratagraphy. However, with the depth incr easing, the seasonal Variations of delta(18)O are gradually smoothed below 3 m (corresponding to about 10-year mass accumulation) in depth while the s easonal variations of Cl-, Na+ and NO3 - are kept fairly well in the whole profile of the 50-m firn core (corresponding to about 250-year mass accumul ation). The results provide a useful tool for dating the snow stratum in th is region. On the contrary, no obvious seasonal variations of Ca2+ are foun d in the profiles.