Acid ions at triple junction of Antarctic ice observed by Raman scattering

We measured the Raman spectra of the junctions where three crystal grains met (triple-junctions) in polycrystalline ice from two Antarctic sites (Nansen ice and South Yamato ice) in order to obtain direct evidence that sulfuric and nitric acids are present as liquid at the triple-junctions. We found that Raman spectra of Nansen ice have a peak (1050 cm(-1)) of HSO4- and NO3- in sulfuric and nitric acid solutions when the measured temperatures of the ice are -8 similar to-35 degrees C. Thus, sulfuric and nitric acids dissociate to HSO4- and NO3- at the triple-junctions of Nansen ice. Raman spectra of South Yamato ice have a peak (980 cm(-1))of SO42- in sulfuric acid solution when the measured temperatures of the ice are -8 similar to-20 degrees C. Thus, sulfuric acid dissociates to SO42- at the triple-junctions of South Yamato ice. The results showed that aqueous solutions of the acids exist at Antarctic ice-sheet temperatures.