Glaciochemical investigations on the subterranean ice deposit of Vukuöi¢ Ice Cave, Velebit Mountain, Croatia

Abstract The 3 H activity, 18 O/ 16 O and 2 H/ 1 H ratio and concentration of 33 metals and metalloidshave been analysed on ice core samples from the perennial subterranean cave icedeposit of Vukusic Ice Cave, Velebit Mt. The tritium data suggested that the ice depo- 5 sition at 2–2.4m depth is build from precipitation fallen ∼45 years before sampling andthe uppermost ice layer could be estimated between early 1970s and early 1980s orbetween ∼1954 and 1960. Both the fluctuation range of stable water isotopes and thederived isotopic waterline of the ice agree reasonably well with the corresponding dataof the local precipitation. This fact predicts that the potential of Vukusic Ice Cave’s ice 10 deposit is superior for paleoclimatological studies to the nearby Ledena Pit. Principalcomponent analysis helped to select three groups of elements. The Ca-Mg governedgroup (PC1) encompasses the bedrock related components; hence the fluctuation ofthese elements might reflect the past intensities of the dissolution process of the ad-jacent epikarst. The Zn governed group (PC2) preserves probably an atmospheric