The five stable noble gases are sensitive unambiguous tracers of glacial meltwater

The five inert noble gasesHe, Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xeexhibit a unique dissolved gas saturation pattern resulting from the formation and addition of glacial meltwater to seawater. He and Ne become oversaturated, and Ar, Kr, and Xe become undersaturated to varying percentages. For example, addition of 10 glacial meltwater to seawater results in a saturation anomaly of He=12.8%, Ne=8.9%, Ar=-0.5%, Kr=-2.2%, and Xe=-3.3%. This pattern in noble gas saturation reflects a unique meltwater signature that is distinct from the other major physical processes that modify the gas concentration and saturation, namely, seasonal changes in temperature at the ocean surface and bubble mediated gas exchange. We use Optimum Multiparameter analysis to illustrate how all five noble gases can help distinguish glacial meltwater from wind-driven bubble injection, making them a potentially valuable suite of tracers for glacial melt and its concentration in the deep waters of the world ocean. Key Points <list list-type="bulleted" id="grl51565-list-0001"> <list-item id="grl51565-li-0001">He, Ne, Ar Kr and Xe can separate meltwater from air injection <list-item id="grl51565-li-0002">We show how real data fits into the proposed framework <list-item id="grl51565-li-0003">We use a hypothetical ocean to show how NGs can make the separation