Nsfgeo-DFG: uncovering atmospheric composition during the past 14,000 years using european ICE cores

The National Science Foundation Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences awarded the Desert Research Institute $565,958 on February 1, 2027, to develop and interpret high-resolution aerosol records spanning approximately the past 14,000 years using European ice cores collected from Dôme du Goûter and adjacent drill sites in the French Alps.

The project applies state-of-the-art analytical methods and radiometric dating techniques to generate well-dated, high time-resolution records of aerosols—small particles and droplets from sources including desert dust, wildfires, volcanic eruptions, and human activities. Atmospheric aerosol transport and deposition modeling will characterize source regions and support interpretation. The research directly builds on prior analysis of a 1999 ice core from Dôme du Goûter, the first stratigraphically intact European ice core record extending into the last glacial period, spanning the full range of aerosol concentrations from the ice age to the current warm period and capturing aerosol conditions across the emergence of human societies from hunter-gatherer populations to modern Europe. Understanding aerosols is critical because they impact weather, atmospheric chemistry, ocean productivity, and human health.

The award funds training of students and postdoctoral researchers, public outreach including participation in an internationally televised documentary, and fostering of international scientific collaborations. The period of performance runs through January 31, 2030, with work performed in Reno, Nevada.

The funding is awarded under the Geosciences program (CFDA 47.050), which supports basic research to enhance fundamental knowledge and understanding of the integrated Earth system.

Abstract

This project will develop and interpret unprecedented records of aerosols in europe spanning approximately the past 14,000 years using ICE cores, which represent a unique, information-rich archive of changes in atmospheric composition through time. Aerosols are small particles and droplets in air that come from sources such as desert dust, wildfires, volcanic eruptions, and human activities. The improved understanding of aerosols from this study is important because aerosols impact many earth processes, including weather, atmospheric chemistry and ocean productivity, as well as human health. The study also includes public outreach such as participation in an internationally televised documentary, student and post-doctoral training, and fostering of international scientific collaborations. State-of-the art analytical methods and radiometric dating techniques will be used to develop robust, well-dated, high time resolution records of a broad range of aerosols from new ICE cores to be collected as part of an international collaboration from the d?me DU go?TER and adjacent drill sites in the french alps. Atmospheric aerosol transport and deposition modeling will be used to understand source regions and underpin interpretation. The probability of success is high because this study builds directly on findings from more limited, recent analyses of a 1999 ICE core drilled from d?me DU go?TER that shows preservation of an aerosol record extending over the past ~14,000 years ? The first such stratigraphically intact ICE core record from europe that extends into the last glacial period. This period captures the full range of aerosol concentrations, extending from the ICE age to the current warm period, and spanning the growth of human societies from small hunter-gatherer populations to modern europe. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are not planned for this award.