IMPACT OF SUBGLACIAL SEDIMENT ON THE CHEMISTRY OF MELTWATER: KONGSFJORD GLACIER

The impact of global climate change on the chemical fluctuations from subglacial meltwater is largely unknown. Carbon enters glacial watersheds through weathering and CO₂ interactions and is transported to the ocean. The relationship between natural geological and anthropogenic processes related to carbon emissions is poorly understood. Therefore, analyzing the composition of the subglacial meltwater and suspended sediment over the course of a melt season will provide significant insight. This study measures the suspended sediment load from the meltwater of Kongsfjord Glacier in Svalbard Norway. Analysis of specific isotopic compositions of the sediment allows the elemental sources to be mapped. As part of a collaborative project researching several isotopic systems, my research specifically quantifies the amount of neodymium and strontium isotopes in the samples. This project is also a continuation of a similar project I conducted on the Lemon Creek Glacier. Samples were filtered to collect the suspended sediment. Acid digestion then broke down chemical bonds so that all elements within the sample were in ionic form. Through column chemistry, the neodymium and strontium will be separated from the sample by using various concentrations of acids and an ion exchange resin. The neodymium and strontium will be analyzed with a mass spectrometer to determine the specific isotopic compositions, with results pending. By comparing the measurements of neodymium and strontium from the Kongsfjord Glacier, the dominance of the sources will be determined which will increase the understanding of geologic processes and their relationship to climate change.