Insoluble particle concentration in ice cores is commonly analyzed as a proxy for varia-tions in atmospheric mineral dust (aerosol concentration). However, recent studies have revealed that the mineral dust is not only a constituent of the particles but that biogenic organic particles are also contained. We microscopically analyzed insoluble particles in a shallow ice core drilled on a mountain glacier, the ürümqi Glacier No. 1, in eastern Tienshan, China. We distinguished different morphologi-cal particles in the ice core and quantified them separately. Results showed that the insoluble particles in this ice core consisted mainly of mineral particles, amorphous organic particles, pollen, and micro-organisms. Mineral particles were the most dominant, accounting for approximately 67% of total par-ticles, and amorphous organic particles were the second most dominant, accounting for approximately 33% of the total. The annual variation in the particles for the last 11 years differed between mineral and amorphous organic particles. The results suggest that the total insoluble particle concentration in the ice core reflects not only the atmospheric mineral dust but also the organic particles blown from ground soil or produced by microbes on the glacial surface. However, recent studies have revealed that the mineral dust is not only a constituent of the particles but that biogenic organic particles are also contained. We microscopically analyzed insoluble particles in a shallow ice core drilled on a mountain glacier, the ürümqi Glacier No. 1, in eastern Tienshan, China. We distinguished different morphologi- cal particles in the ice core and quantified them separately. Results showing that the insoluble particles in the ice core consisted mainly of mineral particles, amorphous organic particles, pollen, and micro-organisms. Mineral particles were the most dominant, accounting for about 67% of total par- ticles, and amorphous organic particles were the second most dominant, accounting for approximately 33% of the total. The annual variation in the particles for the last 11 years differed betw een mineral and amorphous organic particles. The results suggest that the total insoluble particle concentration in the ice core reflects not only the atmospheric mineral dust but also the organic particles blown from ground soil or produced by microbes on the glacial surface.