Increasing atmospheric pollution revealed by Pb record of a 7 000-m ice core

Abstract

Concentrations of Pb in Dasuopu ice core in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau have been directly measured by ICP-MS at pg/g level. The Pb profile shows a very significant increase in modern times due to anthropogenic input. The use of leaded gasoline in the South Asian countries may be a main source of Pb in this region. The input of Pb to the Dasuopu Glacier is mainly supplied by Indian summer monsoon moisture which traverses the pass at the head of the Dasuopu Glacier.