Provenance of dust to Antarctica: A lead isotopic perspective. Issue 5 (11th March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gili, Stefania; Gaiero, Diego M.; Goldstein, Steven L.; Chemale Jr, Farid; Koester, Edinei; Jweda, Jason; Vallelonga, Paul; Kaplan, Michael R.
• Is Part Of: Geophysical research letters. Volume 43:Issue 5(2016)
• Page Start: 2291
• Page End: 2298
• Publication Date: 2016-03-11
• Subjects: Pb isotopes -- dust -- Patagonia -- Puna‐Altiplano -- Antarctica; Geophysics -- Periodicals; Planets -- Periodicals; Lunar geology -- Periodicals; 550
• DOI: 10.1002/2016GL068244
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0094-8276

Abstract

Abstract: Antarctic ice preserves an ~800 kyr record of dust activity in the Southern Hemisphere. Major efforts have been dedicated to elucidate the origin of this material in order to gain greater insight into the atmospheric dust cycle. On the basis of Pb isotopes in Antarctic dust samples and potential sources, this contribution demonstrates for the first time that Patagonia is the main contributor of dust to Antarctica during interglacial periods as well as glacials, although the potential importance of Tierra del Fuego remains unclear because of its geochemical similarities to Patagonia. An important new finding is that the Puna‐Altiplano sector of the continent is a second important dust source to eastern Antarctica during both glacials and interglacials, being more prominent during interglacials. The data indicate South America is the primary dust source to Antarctica during both glacials and interglacials. Key Points: Disagreement exists over the origin of interglacial dust found in East Antarctica Pb isotope signatures from southern South America are consistent with Antarctic ice cores Patagonia and Puna‐Altiplano plateau are the main regions contributing dust to Antarctica