A system for analysis of H2 and Ne in polar ice core samples

Abstract

This paper describes instrumentation and procedures developed to measure H2 and Ne in polar ice core samples. Gases are extracted from ice core samples by melting under vacuum. Measurements are conducted by gas chromatographic separation with detection by a pulsed helium ionization detector (He-PDD). The analytical system was developed for field analysis of ice core samples immediately after drilling. This minimizes the potential for exchange of these highly permeable gases between the ice core and the modern atmosphere. The design, operation, and performance of the instrument are discussed using data from the initial deployment to Summit, Greenland. The results demonstrate the feasibility of ice core analysis of H2 and Ne with precision of 8.6 % and 10.2 % (1σ ) respectively.