This paper gives the preliminary results of 26 trace element measurements of ice cores from Dunde Ice Cap, China. The chemical composition of soluble impurities along ice core D-1 covering the last 500 years B P., is reported and interpreted in terms of atmospheric contributions. The dust content in ice cores of Dunde Ice Cap is 36 times higher than in Byrd Station, Antarctica. Variations of soluble elements such as Ca, Mg, Κ and Na, in Dunde Ice cores are very sensitive to climatic and environmental changes. The 25 trace elements in ice core D-1 (K, Na, Ca, Mg, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Al, Sr, Ti, V, Zn, As, Ba, Β, Li, Ρ, S, Sn) were measured. Cationicions arranged in order of content are as follows: Ca > Na > Mg > Κ > Αl > Fe > Ζn > Cu > Μn > Pb > Cr > Ni > Co > Cd etc. The content of soluble impurities has typical terrestrial features. Rock-forming elements such as Ca, Mg, Κ, Na, Si, Al, and Fe make up 99% in the core samples.

Particular attention is given to the possible impact of the so-called “pre-Industrial Revolution period” and man’s influence on the atmospheric chemistry. The spectral analysis of time series for the variation of each of the 26 contributions show a 92 year cycle that is present in the variation of all 26 ions with depth. Short-term variations, such as 23, 31, 48, 81 year cycles, are also discussed. The ice-core research program has been supported by the Chinese National Foundation of Natural Science under Grant DO125-4860011.