Sulfur and Carbon Isotopes within Atmospheric, Surface and Ground Water, Snow and Ice as Indicators of the Origin of Tabular Ground Ice in the Russian Arctic

Field sampling of tabular ground ice (TGI) was undertaken at a number of geological sections along the Russian Arctic coast. 34 S in sulfate ion and 13 C in organic matter were analysed in ground ice and enclosing deposits, and in reference samples from snowpacks, atmospheric precipitation, surface waters and glaciers. The scatter in the stable isotope data obtained indicates the heterogeneity of moisture sources for TGI formation. There is a notable difference in the sulfur and carbon isotopic structure between TGI and atmospheric and continental moisture. TGI and its enclosing deposits have a heavier isotopic composition of sulfur and carbon than buried snow and glacial ice. This is considered to be evidence of an essential contribution of marine moisture and sediments to TGI formation. Copyright # 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.