Continuous Bi profile of the East Rongbuk(ER) ice core near Mt.Qomolangma reveals nine major volcanic events since AD 1800.Compared with Volcanic Explosivity Index(VEI),it shows that the concentrations of Bi in the ER ice core can reflect the major volcanic events within the key areas.This provides a good horizon layer for ice core dating,as well as a basis for reconstructing a long sequence of volcanic records from the Qinghai-Xizang(Tibet) Plateau ice cores.
XU JianZhongKASPARI S.HOU ShuGuiKANG ShiChangQIN DaHeREN JiaWenMAYEWSKI p
Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic tracer was applied, for the first time, to identifying the sources of the particles in the East Rongbuk ice core from Mt. Qomalangma (Everest). The results show that the particles in the dirty layers originate mainly from local sources, while the particles in the non-dirty layers are consistent with the features of dust from the arid regions in northwestern India. The HYSPLIT model shows that the air trajectory goes first through northwestern India before reaching the drilling site of ice core when dust storms occur in northwestern India, confirming northwestern India as a possible source of dust in the East Rongbuk ice core.
A total of 14 surface snow (0―10 cm) samples were collected along the climbing route (6500―8844 m a.s.l.) on the northern slope of Mt. Qomolangma in May, 2005. Analysis of elemental concentrations in these samples showed that there are no clear trends for element variations with elevation due to re- distribution of surface snow by strong winds during spring. In addition, local crustal aerosol inputs also have an influence on elemental composition of surface snow. Comparison between elemental concentration datasets of 2005 and 1997 indicated that data from 2005 were of higher quality. Elemental concentrations (especially for heavy metals) at Mt. Qomolangma are comparable with polar sites, and far lower than large cities. This indicates that anthropogenic activities and heavy metal pollution have little effect on the Mt. Qomolangma atmospheric environment, which can be representative of the background atmospheric environment.
