Optimization of high-resolution continuous flow analysis for transient climate signals in ice cores

Over the past two decades, continuousflow analy-sis (CFA) systems have been refined and widely used to measureaerosol constituents in polar and alpine ice cores in very high-depthresolution. Here we present a newly designed system consistingof sodium, ammonium, dust particles, and electrolytic meltwaterconductivity detection modules. The system is optimized for high-resolution determination of transient signals in thin layers of deeppolar ice cores. Based on standard measurements and by comparingsections of early Holocene and glacial ice from Greenland, wefindthat the new system features a depth resolution in the ice of a fewmillimeters which is considerably better than other CFA systems. Thus, the new system can resolve ice strata down to 10 mm thickness andhas the potential of identifying annual layers in both Greenland and Antarctic ice cores throughout the last glacial cycle.