First evidence of industrial fly-ash in an Antarctic ice core

Spheroidal carbonaceous particles (SCPs) are a component of fly-ash, the particulate by-product of industrial high temperature combustion of fuel-oil and coal-series fuels. We provide the first evidence that these indelible markers of industrialisation have been deposited in Antarctic ice, thousands of kilometres from any potential source. The earliest observed particle was deposited in an ice layer from 1936 CE. While depositional fluxes are low, chemical analysis of individual SCPs indicates a coal combustion origin.

Details

Publication status:
Published
Author(s):
Authors: Thomas, E.R. ORCIDORCID record for E.R. Thomas, Tetzner, D.R. ORCIDORCID record for D.R. Tetzner, Roberts, S.L., Turner, S.D., Rose, N.L.

On this site: Dieter Tetzner, Liz Thomas
Date:
21 April, 2023
Journal/Source:
Scientific Reports / 13
Page(s):
5pp
Link to published article:
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-33849-x