Faculty Mentor
Jihong Cole-Dai
Abstract
Arctic (Greenland) ice core samples covering the time period of 1638-1646 were analyzed for perchlorate and sulfate concentrations. The sulfate data show a signal corresponding to the 1640 eruption of the Komaga-Take volcano in Japan. Perchlorate concentrations show a significant increase at the time of the Komaga-Take eruption. It is concluded that a positive correlation likely exists between stratospheric volcanic eruptions and perchlorate concentration in the environment. When a volcano has enough explosive force to inject substances into the stratosphere, some of the substances, such as sulfate, can remain in the stratosphere for months and spread all over the global atmosphere. The sulfate aerosols in the stratosphere may enhance the formation of perchlorate from chlorine species commonly present in the atmospheric environment.
Recommended Citation
Georgiev, Alex; Livingston, Collin; and Ward, Cody
(2016)
"Determination of Volcanic Impact on Perchlorate Using Polar Ice Cores,"
The Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 14, Article 3.
Available at:
https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/jur/vol14/iss1/3