A novel laser melting sampler for discrete, sub-centimeter depth-resolved analyses of stable water isotopes in ice cores

• DOI: 10.1017/jog.2023.52
• Publication Date: 2023-09-19T07:00:53Z
• Authors: Yuko Motizuki; Yoichi Nakai; Kazuya Takahashi; Junya Hirose; Yu Vin Sahoo; Masaki Yumoto; Masayuki Maruyama; Michio Sakashita; Kiwamu Kase; Satoshi Wada; Hideaki Motoyama; Yasushige Yano
• Keywords: Ice core; Meltwater

Abstract We developed a novel laser melting sampler (LMS) for ice cores to measure the stable water isotope ratios (δ 18 O and δD) as temperature proxies at sub-centimeter depth resolutions. In this LMS system, 2 mm diameter movable evacuation nozzle holds an optical fiber through which beam irradiates core. The intrudes into core, radiation meanwhile melts cylindrically, meltwater is pumped away simultaneously same transferred vial analysis. To avoid isotopic fractionation of vaporization, power adjusted ensure that always kept well below its boiling point. A segment Dome Fuji shallow core (Antarctica), using LMS, was then demonstrated have been discretely sampled with resolution small 3 mm: subsequent analysis δ O, δD, deuterium excess ( d ) consistent results obtained by hand segmentation within measurement uncertainties. With system software control sampling resolution, will enable us identify variations may be detectable only resolutions in cores.