Review of recent advances in Continuous Flow Analysis (CFA) technique for polar and alpine ice cores

Continuous Flow Analysis (CFA) systems, originally designed for field analyses of trace chemical species in ice cores, have seen significant innovations over the past decade, particularly through the integration of new spectrometric (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometers, Laser Absorption Spectrometers) and chromatographic techniques (Ionic Chromatography, Gas Chromatography and Liquid Chromatography). This paper reviews recent technical and methodological advances in CFA adopted by leading laboratories worldwide for the high-resolution detection of trace elements, major ions, isotopic and gaseous species, and insoluble particles in polar and alpine ice cores, exploring the strengths and limitations of different couplings, and discussing potential future enhancements.