Constraints on the δ<sup>2</sup>H diffusion rate in firn from field measurements at Summit, Greenland
We performed detailed <sup>2</sup>H isotope diffusion measurements in the upper 3 m of firn at Summit, Greenland. Using a small snow gun, a thin snow layer was formed from <sup>2</sup>H-enriched water over a 6 × 6 m<sup>2</sup> area. We followed the diffusion proc...
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Copernicus Publications
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| Series: | The Cryosphere |
| Online Access: | http://www.the-cryosphere.net/9/1089/2015/tc-9-1089-2015.pdf |
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doaj-fc17065feb82472689e5d71901f3967e2020-11-24T21:21:48ZengCopernicus PublicationsThe Cryosphere1994-04161994-04242015-05-01931089110310.5194/tc-9-1089-2015Constraints on the δ<sup>2</sup>H diffusion rate in firn from field measurements at Summit, GreenlandL. G. van der Wel0H. A. Been1R. S. W. van de Wal2C. J. P. P. Smeets3H. A. J. Meijer4Centre for Isotope Research (CIO), Energy and Sustainability Research Institute Groningen (ESRIG), University of Groningen, 9747AG Groningen, the NetherlandsCentre for Isotope Research (CIO), Energy and Sustainability Research Institute Groningen (ESRIG), University of Groningen, 9747AG Groningen, the NetherlandsInstitute for Marine and Atmospheric Research Utrecht (IMAU), University of Utrecht, 3584 CC Utrecht, the NetherlandsInstitute for Marine and Atmospheric Research Utrecht (IMAU), University of Utrecht, 3584 CC Utrecht, the NetherlandsCentre for Isotope Research (CIO), Energy and Sustainability Research Institute Groningen (ESRIG), University of Groningen, 9747AG Groningen, the NetherlandsWe performed detailed <sup>2</sup>H isotope diffusion measurements in the upper 3 m of firn at Summit, Greenland. Using a small snow gun, a thin snow layer was formed from <sup>2</sup>H-enriched water over a 6 × 6 m<sup>2</sup> area. We followed the diffusion process, quantified as the increase of the δ<sup>2</sup>H diffusion length, over a 4-year period, by retrieving the layer once per year by drilling a firn core and slicing it into 1 cm layers and measuring the δ<sup>2</sup>H signal of these layers. <br><br> We compared our experimental findings to calculations based on the model by Johnsen et al. (2000) and found substantial differences. The diffusion length in our experiments increased much less over the years than in the model. We discuss the possible causes for this discrepancy and conclude that several aspects of the diffusion process in firn are still poorly constrained, in particular the tortuosity.http://www.the-cryosphere.net/9/1089/2015/tc-9-1089-2015.pdf |
| collection |
DOAJ |
| language |
English |
| format |
Article |
| sources |
DOAJ |
| author |
L. G. van der Wel H. A. Been R. S. W. van de Wal C. J. P. P. Smeets H. A. J. Meijer |
| spellingShingle |
L. G. van der Wel H. A. Been R. S. W. van de Wal C. J. P. P. Smeets H. A. J. Meijer Constraints on the δ<sup>2</sup>H diffusion rate in firn from field measurements at Summit, Greenland The Cryosphere |
| author_facet |
L. G. van der Wel H. A. Been R. S. W. van de Wal C. J. P. P. Smeets H. A. J. Meijer |
| author_sort |
L. G. van der Wel |
| title |
Constraints on the δ<sup>2</sup>H diffusion rate in firn from field measurements at Summit, Greenland |
| title_short |
Constraints on the δ<sup>2</sup>H diffusion rate in firn from field measurements at Summit, Greenland |
| title_full |
Constraints on the δ<sup>2</sup>H diffusion rate in firn from field measurements at Summit, Greenland |
| title_fullStr |
Constraints on the δ<sup>2</sup>H diffusion rate in firn from field measurements at Summit, Greenland |
| title_full_unstemmed |
Constraints on the δ<sup>2</sup>H diffusion rate in firn from field measurements at Summit, Greenland |
| title_sort |
constraints on the δ<sup>2</sup>h diffusion rate in firn from field measurements at summit, greenland |
| publisher |
Copernicus Publications |
| series |
The Cryosphere |
| issn |
1994-0416 1994-0424 |
| publishDate |
2015-05-01 |
| description |
We performed detailed <sup>2</sup>H isotope diffusion measurements in the upper
3 m of firn at Summit, Greenland. Using a small snow gun, a thin snow
layer was formed from <sup>2</sup>H-enriched water over a 6 × 6 m<sup>2</sup> area. We
followed the diffusion process, quantified as the increase of the δ<sup>2</sup>H
diffusion length, over a 4-year period, by retrieving the layer
once per year by drilling a firn core and slicing it into 1 cm layers and
measuring the δ<sup>2</sup>H signal of these layers.
<br><br>
We compared our experimental findings to calculations based on the model by
Johnsen et al. (2000) and found substantial differences. The
diffusion length in our experiments increased much less over the years than
in the model. We discuss the possible causes for this discrepancy and
conclude that several aspects of the diffusion process in firn are still
poorly constrained, in particular the tortuosity. |
| url |
http://www.the-cryosphere.net/9/1089/2015/tc-9-1089-2015.pdf |
| work_keys_str_mv |
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