Scientists, from the British Antarctic Survey, are attempting to ascertain where the oldest ice is so that they can drill into the frozen core in an attempt to better understand the process of climate change. The expectation is that the oldest ice will be in the region of 1.5 million years old and that this, through chemical analysis, will provide clues of how the planet has changed.
Specifically, the researchers want to study the micro-sized bubbles of air trapped inside the ice-core. These bubbles provide data about heat-trapping gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide; for these gases were once present in the Earth’s atmosphere. The mission is called “Beyond EPICA – Oldest Ice (BE-OI) project” and it is funded by the European Union.
Once the ice is located, the process will take time and require careful handling. However, with each slice through the isolated cylinder of ice, the scientists will be able to reconstruct ancient climate conditions on a very detailed timescale.
The information comes from the study of isotopes of hydrogen and oxygen atoms in the ice. By analysing the ratio of heavy atoms to light atoms, patterns of period when the Earth was warm or cool can be revealed.
As well as providing information about the past, by using data collected relating to the present, the scientists hope to use the information to make predictions about the future. This will be through computer models and simulations.
Speaking with the BBC, expedition lead Dr Robert Mulvaney said: “We’ve got a very good record of what’s been happening over the last 800,000 years but there are some aspects which we cannot fully explain.”
The environmental scientist added further: “By studying ice that’s 1.5 million years old, it should give us the underpinning belief that we really do so deeply understand the climate system that we can be absolutely sure that what we’re projecting for the next few hundred years is based on a complete knowledge of the science.”
