Stable isotopes and debris in basal glacier ice, South Georgia, Southern Ocean

Sugden, D. E., Clapperton, C. M., Gemmell, J. C. and Knight, P. G. (1987) Stable isotopes and debris in basal glacier ice, South Georgia, Southern Ocean. Journal of Glaciology, pp. 324-329.

Abstract

This paper combines a study of the rock debris and δD/δ¹⁸O isotopic characteristics of basal ice sequences in three representative glaciers in South Georgia and concludes that the debris and ice has been entrained mainly by basal freezing. The size distribution of the rock debris is typical of crushing and abrasion, and reflects transport at the ice-rock interface. The δD/δ¹⁸O relationships show that clear ice associated with the debris has accreted through freezing. He white bubbly glacier ice has δD/δ¹⁸O relationships typical of precipitation which demonstrates an altitudinal effect between glaciers.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Gemmell, Professor James Campbell
• Authors: Sugden, D. E., Clapperton, C. M., Gemmell, J. C., and Knight, P. G.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering
• Journal Name: Journal of Glaciology
• Publisher: International Glaciological Society
• ISSN: 0022-1430