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Byrd ice core debris constrains the sediment provenance signature of Central West Antarctica
Marschalek, J.W.; Blard, P.-H.; Sarigulyan, E.; Ehrmann, W.; Hemming, S.R.; Thomson, S.N.; Hillenbrand, C.D.; Licht, K.; Tison, J.-L.; Ardoin, L.; Fripiat, F.; Allen, C.S.; Marrocchi, Y.; Siegert, M.J.; van de Flierdt, T. (2024). Byrd ice core debris constrains the sediment provenance signature of Central West Antarctica. Geophys. Res. Lett. 51(5): e2023GL106958. https://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2023GL106958
In: Geophysical Research Letters. American Geophysical Union: Washington. ISSN 0094-8276; e-ISSN 1944-8007, more
Peer reviewed article  
Available in  Authors 
Author keywords
    West Antarctic Ice Sheet; clay mineralogy; sediment provenance; geochemistry; geochronology
Authors  Top 
  • Marschalek, J.W.
  • Blard, P.-H., more
  • Sarigulyan, E.
  • Ehrmann, W.
  • Hemming, S.R.
  • Thomson, S.N.
  • Hillenbrand, C.D.
  • Licht, K.
  • Tison, J.-L., more
  • Ardoin, L., more
  • Fripiat, F., more
  • Allen, C.S.
  • Marrocchi, Y.
  • Siegert, M.J.
  • van de Flierdt, T.
Abstract

    Provenance records from sediments deposited offshore of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) can help identify past major ice retreat, thus constraining ice-sheet models projecting future sea-level rise. Interpretations from such records are, however, hampered by the ice obscuring Antarctica's geology. Here, we explore central West Antarctica's subglacial geology using basal debris from within the Byrd ice core, drilled to the bed in 1968. Sand grain microtextures and a high kaolinite content (∼38–42%) reveal the debris consists predominantly of eroded sedimentary detritus, likely deposited initially in a warm, pre-Oligocene, subaerial environment. Detrital hornblende 40Ar/39Ar ages suggest proximal late Cenozoic subglacial volcanism. The debris has a distinct provenance signature, with: common Permian-Early Jurassic mineral grains; absent early Ross Orogeny grains; a high kaolinite content; and high 143Nd/144Nd and low 87Sr/86Sr ratios. Detecting this “fingerprint” in Antarctic sedimentary records could imply major WAIS retreat, revealing the WAIS's sensitivity to future warming.

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