Concentration of 10Be in an ice core from the Dome Fuji station, Eastern Antarctica: Preliminary results from 1500 to 1810 yr AD

Abstract

We present preliminary data of our 10Be analysis of an ice core retrieved from Dome Fuji station, Eastern Antarctica for 1500–1810 yr AD. The concentration of 10Be from 1500-1810 yr AD ranged between 7.0×104 and 13.0×104 atoms g−1 and a prominent peak was observed in the period 1645–1715 yr AD (i.e., the Maunder Minimum period). An increase in the concentration was also observed in the periods before 1540 yr AD and near to 1800 yr AD. A comparison of our 10Be record with the South Pole 10Be record shows a clear similarity in their temporal fluctuations. On the other hand, our record shows ∼2.5 times higher concentration of 10Be than in the South Pole record attributable to the difference in local snow accumulation rates. These observations suggest a direct (uncomplicated) fallout of atmospheric 10Be onto inland Antarctica, which in turn, leads to a detailed 10Be stratigraphy throughout this region. We believe that the 10Be profiles of the ice cores from the Dome Fuji station are therefore likely to be a good proxy indicator of changes in solar activity.