In this page, I present some of the most meaningful scientific contributions classified by topic. The complete list of publications is available here.
Non-target screening ice-core analysis
During my post-doc at PSI, I tackled the challenge of analysing the organic composition of ice and snow at an unprecedented level of molecular detail. I developed a non-target screening (NTS) method for the identification of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) tracers in these environmental matrices [1]. When applied to ice samples, hundreds of different organic molecules were detected, enabling the first continuous NTS ice-core historical reconstructions of SOA. The method was applied to Siberian [2] and European [3] ice cores to understand changes of atmospheric aerosol composition before and during the Industrial period. Results revealed the presence of previously unknown molecules and demonstrated how anthropogenic activities have altered the oxidation state of SOA [2,3]. This post-doc experience allowed me to inspire and mentor the next generation of ice-core scientists through an opinion article that contextualized the advancements in the field [4]. Ico-supervised a PhD student who applied the NTS methodology I developed to a shallow Alpine ice core from the Grand Combin glacier (4123 m.a.s.l., Switzerland). Through the combination of NTS analysis and a model simulating the ice-water balance for glaciers (CryoGrid), we demonstrated how climate change is altering the preservation of natural organic compounds even at high altitudes and provided evidence on different relocation behaviours of more than 240 SOA tracers in firn due to meltwater percolation, surpassing in scope any previous investigation on the topic [5]. These achievements have positioned me at the forefront of this emerging research field, making me one of the few researchers experienced with NTS ice-core analyses. They also equipped me with the expertise needed to secure three highly-competitive research grants issued by the Norwegian Research Council (BioProxies, SNOWFAS) and by the Swiss National Science Foundation (Ice2Ocean). The quality and impact of my work have been also recognized by two awards: Best Poster (IPICS, 2022) and Best Oral Communication (ICCE, 2025).
[1] Burgay, F., Salionov, D., Huber, C. J., Singer, T., Eichler, A., Ungeheuer, F., Bjelić, S. (2023). Hybrid Targeted/Untargeted Screening Method for the Determination of Wildfire and Water-Soluble Organic Tracers in Ice Cores and Snow. Analytical chemistry, 95(30), 11456-11466.
[2] Burgay F., Salionov D., Singer T., Eichler A., Brütsch S., Jenk T., Vogel A., Papina T., Bjelić S., Schwikowski M. (2025). Non-target screening of a Siberian ice core reveals changes in the pre-industrial to industrial organic aerosol composition. Science Advances, 11(4)
[3] Burgay F., Singer T., Sharkov D., Jenk T, Eichler A., Vogel A., Brütsch S, Salionov D., Bjelic S., Schwikowski M. Anthropogenic activities have changed the molecular composition of atmospheric organic aerosol in Western Europe. In preparation
[4] Burgay F., (2023). Exploring new molecular universes: How non-target screening analysis can open new perspectives in ice-core science. Past Global Changes Magazine, 31(2), 94-95
[5] Huber, C.*, and Burgay F.*, Salionov D., Eichler A., Sharkov D., Jenk T.M., Schmidt L.S., Bjelic S., Schwikowski M. Influence of meltwater percolation on preservation of organic aerosol tracers in glacier archives. Environmental Science & Technology. *Authors equally contributed
Investigating halogens in ice cores
My experience in ice-core analysis extends beyond organic compounds, and includes expertise in analysing inorganic species, such as halogens (bromine and iodine). I investigated the mechanisms driving their preservation in the snowpack by designing an innovative research approach that integrates ice-core data with physicochemical modelling. The significance of these findings lies in establishing a robust experimental and theoretical benchmark valuable for the upcoming Beyond Epica project, which could enable the reconstruction of Antarctic first-year sea-ice extent and stratospheric ozone changes over the last 1.5 million years [6,7].
[6] Burgay, F., Fernández, R. P., Segato, D., Turetta, C., Blaszczak-Boxe, C. S., Rhodes, R. H., Scarchilli C., Ciardini V., Barbante C., Saiz-Lopez A., & Spolaor, A. (2023). 200-year ice core bromine reconstruction at Dome C (Antarctica): observational and modelling results. The Cryosphere, 17(1), 391-405.
[7] Spolaor, A., Burgay, F., Fernandez, R.P., Turetta, C., Cuevas, C.A., Kim, K., Kinnison, D.E., Lamarque, J.F., De Blasi, F., Barbaro, E., Corella, J.P., Vallelonga P., Frezzotti M., Barbante C., Saiz-Lopez A. (2021). Antarctic ozone hole modifies iodine geochemistry on the Antarctic Plateau. Nature Communications, 12(1).
Iron in ice cores
The expertise in method development, essential for the successful implementation of ICEMELT, has been established since my PhD, during which I developed a continuous method for Fe speciation in ice cores [8]. The application of this method to Arctic ice cores enabled the identification of volcanic eruptions as relevant sources of soluble iron, with significant environmental implications in the context of the Iron Hypothesis. In addition, the method was applied to selected sections of the EGRIP ice core to investigate potential changes in iron solubility during and after the Younger Dryas. Results show only a modest enhancement of soluble iron, whose solubility is strongly influenced by aerosol acidity [9]. Furthermore, I investigated the role of Fe in triggering algal blooms in the North Pacific Ocean, merging oceanographic and ice-core data to provide the first holistic picture of the effects of Fe fertilization on marine productivity [10]. I demonstrated team leadership and project management skills by securing funding (ISSICOS) for sampling activities and analysis of Arctic samples to enhance our understanding of soluble Fe sources in the ice [11].
[8] Burgay F., Erhardt T., Della Lunga D., Jensen C.M., Spolaor A., Vallelonga P., Fischer H., Barbante C. (2019). Fe2+ in ice cores as a new potential proxy to detect past volcanic eruptions. Science of the Total Environment 654, 1110-1117.
[9] Burgay F., Derrod H., Erhardt T., Scoto F., Segato D., Maffezzoli N., Dallo F., Zannoni D., Spagnesi A., Kjaer H., Fischer H., Varin C., Barbante C., Spolaor A., Limited atmospheric iron availability increase during the Pleistocene-Holocene transition in the Northern Hemisphere. (2026) Climate of the Past
[10] Burgay F., Spolaor A., Gabrieli J., Cozzi G., Turetta C., Vallelonga P., Barbante C (2021). Atmospheric iron supply and marine productivity in the glacial North Pacific Ocean. Climate of the Past 17, 491-505.
[11] Burgay F., Barbaro E., Cappelletti D., Turetta C., Gallet J.C., Isaksson E., Stenni B., Dreossi G., Scoto F., Barbante C., Spolaor A. (2021). First discrete iron(II) records from Dome C (Antarctica) and the Holtedahlfonna glacier (Svalbard). Chemosphere 267.
