Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Characterization Of Firn Microstructure Using Scanning Electron Microscopy: Implications For Physical Properties Measurements And Climate Reconstructions, Nicole Spaulding

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Samples from 12 East Antarctic firn and ice cores were analyzed using scanning electron micrcoscopy (SEM) in order to first develop a technique for the accurate characterization of physical properties and then to investigate the relationship between the physical microstructure and chemical properties. Both physical properties, such as grain size and porosity, and chemical properties, such as major ion and trace element concentration, provide information about atmospheric temperature changes, impurity content, accumulation rate and deformation history; therefore the characterization of both types of properties is necessary. Further, knowledge of the relationship between the physical and chemical properties may increase our …