Identification of Component Sources in Antarctic Snow by Factor Analysis

Abstract

The concentration values of twelve components determined in snow samples collected in two snow-pits around Terra Nova Bay, Antarctica, are Factor Analysed. The factors are interpreted as different sources affecting the area.

The marine aerosol factor dominates the data set structure, but two other factors can be clearly identified for both stations, one reflecting seasonal and the other linked to biogenic sulfur cycle. Distinct features characterising the two stations emerge from the factor analysis applied to a reduced data set, in which a limited number of samples with a very high sea-salt loading are excluded

Key Words:

• Snow composition
• Antarctica
• factor analysis
• marine contribution