Nitrate δ15N values and surface mass balance reconstructions from East Antarctica

Geographic information, surface mass balance (SMB) data, and sub-photic zone (>0.3 m) nitrate concentration and nitrogen isotopic composition (δ15NNO3) for 135 sites across East Antarctica. This database was used to examine and define the relationship between δ15NNO3 and SMB in Antarctica as part of the SCADI (Snow Core Accumulation from Delta-15N Isotopes) and EAIIST (East Antarctic International Ice Sheet Traverse) projects. Of these 135 sites, 92 are newly reported here while the other site data were previously published and are cited accordingly. Snow bearing nitrate was sampled from snow pits and firn/ice cores at different dates depending on the original scientific campaign, but predominately between 2010 and 2020, with the earliest sampling occurring in 2004. Nitrate was later extracted from the snow, concentrated, and analyzed for δ15NNO3. Surface mass balance data comes from a combination of previous ground-based observations (e.g., stakes, ice core data) and the output from Modèle Atmosphérique Régional version 3.6.4 with European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts “Interim” re-analysis data (ERA-interim) data, adjusted for observed model SMB biases. Elevation data were extracted from the Reference Elevation Model of Antarctica (REMA, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-665-2019).

Also contains nitrate concentration and isotopic (δ15NNO3) data, ice density, and surface mass balance estimates from the ABN1314-103 ice core. This 103 m long core was drilled beginning on 07 January 2014 as one of three ice cores at Aurora Basin North, Antarctica (-71.17, 111.37, 2679 m.a.s.l), in the 2013-2014 field season. The age-depth model for ABN1314-103 was matched through ion profiles from an annually-resolved model (ALC01112018) originally developed for one of the other ABN cores through seasonal ion and water isotope cycles and constrained by volcanic horizons. Each 1 m segment of the core was weighed and measured for ice density calculations, and then sampled for nitrate at 0.33 m resolution. Nitrate concentrations were taken on melted ice aliquots with ion chromatography, while isotopic analysis was achieved through bacterial denitrification and MAT 253 mass spectrometry after concentrating with anionic resin. Using the density data and the age-depth model’s dates for the top and bottom of each 1 m core segment, we reconstructed a history of surface mass balance changes as recorded in ABN1314-103. Additionally, we also estimated the effect of upstream topographic changes on the ice core’s surface mass balance record through a ground penetrating radar transect that extended 11.5 km against the direction of glacial ice flow. The modern SMB changes along this upstream transect were linked to ABN1314-103 core depths by through the local horizontal ice flow rate (16.2 m a-1) and the core’s age-depth model, and included here for comparative analysis.