Abstract: The concentrations of carbonaceous aerosols and soluble ions (Cl-, NO3-, SO42-, Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+) in the 29-meter-long PLZ-4 ice core, retrieved from a maritime glacier on the southeastern Tibetan Plateau, were analyzed by a Thermal/Optical Carbon Analyzer and ion chromatographs, respectively. The results show that elemental carbon (EC), water insoluble organic carbon (WIOC) and soluble ions concentrations in this ice core were increasing dramatically during 1998-2005. Meanwhile, EC concentrations and EC/WIOC ratios showed significant seasonal variations; high concentrations and ratios occurred in non-monsoon seasons and low concentrations and ratios in monsoon seasons, indicating that the carbonaceous aerosols recorded in the southeastern Tibetan glacier were highly related with South Asian brown clouds. Besides, the average EC concentration of >10 ng/g in pre-monsoon, especially from April to May, could provoke the decreased snow/firn albedo and glacier melting, which can not be ignored.

Key words: Tibetan Plateau, ice core, South Asian brown cloud, elemental carbon