BAS PhD Studentship: Modelling the age-depth and temperature profiles of the BAS deep Antarctic ice cores

Polar ice cores retain a record of climate and atmospheric composition reaching back several hundred thousand years. In recent years, BAS has recovered deep ice cores penetrating to the bedrock at Berkner Island, James Ross Island and the Fletcher Promontory. Each of these cores contains a record of climate and atmosphere spanning at least 50kyrs. They form the basis of an expanding long-term record of Weddell Sea regional climate and ice sheet configuration. Currently, the cores are dated using combinations of layer counting in the upper layers, identifiable reference horizons and simple one-dimensional glaciological modelling of thinning. Limitations in these simple methods make correlation with other polar ice cores difficult, yet comparison with other deep ice cores is critical to our understanding of the pattern of climate and ice sheet change across Antarctica. In addition to the climate records derived from the ice cores, temperature profiles are available from a wider number of boreholes from across the region. These have the potential to provide independent information on recent temperature rise and the geothermal heat flux, and provide temperature constraints for ice modelling.

The student will develop robust chronologies for the suite of three deep BAS ice cores, employing a range of modelling techniques. The student will have access to the full dataset of BAS ice core and borehole measurements but will be required to generate some new laboratory data to support the modelling work. Initially, the student will develop an optimal dating strategy based on the existing information available, using isotope temperature history and a time-dependent accumulation rate ice flow model to produce an age-depth profile. Additional laboratory measurements of annual accumulation will be used test the accumulation model, and the student will seek to establish new chronological markers to correlate with other deep ice cores. Further methods will be developed to solve for the difference between the age of the ice and the age of the enclosed air, and ice sheet configuration modelling will be used to determine upstream effects. In addition, borehole temperature measurements and heat flow modelling will be used to determine recent temperature history and basal heat flux. 

The data from the ice cores and borehole thermometry will be used to assess regional patterns of climate and ice sheet change in comparison to other regions of Antarctica and the world.

The NERC PhD Studentship is linked to the British Antarctic Survey Chemistry and Past Climate programme which seeks to produce records of the variation in climate and atmosphere over the late Quaternary period. (http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/bas_research/our_research/current/programmes/chemistry/index.php).

The successful student will be registered with Durham University, but will be based at BAS, and will participate in regular supervisory meetings in Durham. She/he will receive training in analysing ice cores, and ice flow modelling. There is no fieldwork attached to this project.

Qualifications: Applicants should have a good first degree (2:1 or higher) in Physics, Chemistry, Geology, Physical Geography, Earth Science, Mathematics or other numerate subject.

Salary: The studentship is expected to last 3.5 years from October 2013. Stipend for 2012/2013 was £13,590 p.a. For eligibility go to http://www.nerc.ac.uk/funding/available/postgrad/eligibility.asp

Applications for this anticipated studentship should be addressed to Dr R Mulvaney; include a covering letter, CV and the e-mail addresses of two referees and sent to basstudentoffice@bas.ac.uk Please quote reference number BASDTG/mulv/1

Closing date for applications is 28th February 2013.

For further details about the British Antarctic Survey please see: http://www.antarctica.ac.uk