Possible albedo reduction due to light absorbing impurities in snowpack observed at various sites

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teruo Aoki ◽  
Masashi Niwano ◽  
Sumito Matoba ◽  
Tomonori Tanikawa ◽  
Yuji Kodama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiative Forcing ◽  
Reduction Rate ◽  
Greenland Ice Sheet ◽  
The Other ◽  
Gravimetric Measurement ◽  
Melting Snow ◽  
Melting Period ◽  
Physically Based ◽  
Antarctic Snow ◽  
Snow Samples

<p>Possible albedo reduction due to light absorbing impurities (LAI) in snowpack observed at various sites in the world are investigated. Reviewing previously measured black carbon (BC) concentrations, their values distribute in a range of 0.07-0.25 ppbw (ng of BC in g of snow) in Antarctica, 0.55-20 ppbw in Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS), 4.4-87.6 ppbw for the other Arctic except GrIS, and 4-1221 ppbw for mid-latitudes. As albedo reduction rate by LAI depends on snow grain size, it is more enhanced by larger grain snow such as melt form (melting snow) than smaller grain snow such as precipitation particles (new snow). By assuming two typical snow grain radii r<sub>s</sub> = 1000 and 50 µm, respectively for those snow grain shapes, the albedo reduction as a function of BC concentration can be calculated with physically based snow albedo model. The result indicates that albedo in Antarctic snow is not affected by BC in any case of snow grain radius. In GrIS albedo reduction due to BC is small around 0.006 for r<sub>s</sub> = 50 µm (new snow) but it rises to 0.026 for r<sub>s</sub> = 1000 µm (melting snow), suggesting a few percent of albedo reduction could occur under warmer climate condition due to enhanced snow metamorphism. In the other Arctic except GrIS, the maximum albedo reductions for r<sub>s</sub> = 50 µm (1000 µm) are 0.015 (0.064) at the maximum BC concentration (87.6 ppbw). For. mid-latitudes, it is 0.070 (0.24) for r<sub>s</sub> = 50 µm (1000 µm) at the maximum BC concentration (1221 ppbw). These results mean albedo reduction in highly polluted area of mid-latitudes cannot be ignored even in case of new snow and is more serious for melting snow.</p><p>We have conducted energy budget and snow pit observations at Sapporo (43°N, 141°E, 15 m a.s.l), Japan since 2005. In addition, elemental carbon (EC~BC) and mineral dust concentrations in snowpack were also monitored for snow samples collected twice a week from 2007 by the thermal optical reflectance (TOT) method and gravimetric measurement of a filter. During 10 years from 2007 to 2017, the medians of EC and dust concentrations are 196 ppbw and 2700 ppbw, respectively. Using those data, contribution of LAI to albedo reduction and the radiative forcing (RF) were estimated. The 10-year-mean albedo reduction and RF due to BC+dust are 0.053 and +6.7 Wm<sup>-2</sup>, respectively, in which BC effect on albedo reduction is 5.6 times larger than dust. The albedo reduction by BC+dust for only melting period is 0.151, that is 4.8 times larger than that for accumulation period. The effect of LAI on albedo reduction is enhanced by snow grain growth as well as an increase of LAI in melting period compared to that for accumulation season.</p>

Black Carbon deposition on snow from Antarctic Peninsula

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Cereceda-Balic ◽  
Maria Florencia Ruggeri ◽  
Victor Vidal ◽  
Humberto Gonzalez
Keyword(s):  
Black Carbon ◽  
Antarctic Peninsula ◽  
Radiative Forcing ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Thick Layer ◽  
The Andes ◽  
Filtration System ◽  
Antarctic Snow ◽  
The Antarctic ◽  
Snow Samples

<p>Atmospheric Black carbon (BC) strongly affects direct radiative forcing and climate, not only while suspended in the atmosphere but also after deposition onto high albedo surfaces, which are especially sensitive, because the absorption of solar radiation by deposited BC accelerate the snowpack/ice melting. In the Southern Hemisphere, the BC generated in the continents can be transported through the atmosphere from low and mid-latitudes to Antarctica, or it can be emitted in Antarctica by the anthropogenic activities developed in situ.  To assess the potential origin of the BC deposited in the snow of the Antarctic, and establish a possible relationship with the human activities that are carried out there, snow samples were taken in different sites from the Antarctic peninsula during summer periods: Chilean Base O’Higgins (BO), 2014; La Paloma Glacier 2015 and 2016 (at a distance of 6 km separated from BO); close to Chilean Base Yelcho (BY), 2018 and away from Chilean Base Yelcho 2018 (at a distance of 5 km separated from BY). Shallow snow samples were collected in Whirl-Pak (Nasco) plastics bags from the top of the snowpack, in an area of 1 m<sup>2</sup> and 5 cm thick layer, using a clean plastic shovel and disposable dust-free nitrile gloves. Sample weighed around 1500-2000 g, and they were kept always frozen (-20 °C), during transport and storage, until they could be processed in the laboratory. BC concentration in the snow samples was determined by using a novel methodology recently developed, published and patent by the authors (Cereceda et al 2019, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.133934; US 16/690,013-Nov, 2019 ). The methodology consisted of a filter-based optical method where snow samples were microwave-assisted melted, then filtered through a special filtration system able to generate a uniform BC spot on Nuclepore 47 mm polycarbonate filters (Whatman, UK). BC deposited in filters was analyzed using a SootScan™, Model OT21 Optical Transmissometer (Magee Scientific, USA), where optical transmission was compared between the sample and a reference filter at a wavelength of 880 nm. The BC mass concentration was calculated using a 5-points calibration curve, previously prepared using real diesel BC soot as standard.  Results showed a BC concentration in snow of 1283.8 ± 1240 µg kg<sup>-1</sup>. Snow from O’Higgins Base presented the highest BC concentration (3395.7 µg kg<sup>-1</sup>), followed by snow from the site close to Yelcho Base (1309.2 µg kg<sup>-1</sup>), snow from La Paloma Glacier 2016 (745.9 µg kg<sup>-1</sup>), snow from the site away from Yelcho Base (734.5 µg kg<sup>-1</sup>) and snow from La Paloma Glacier 2015 (233.6 µg kg<sup>-1</sup>). BC values observed in Antarctic snow were higher than others previously reported in the literature (Cereceda et al 2019) and showed the influence that anthropic activities have in the study area, considering that the two highest values of BC concentration in snow were found at sites near the bases, which presented levels comparable to those found in snowy sites in the Andes, continental Chile (Cereceda et al 2019).</p>

scholarly journals Numerical simulation of extreme snowmelt observed at the SIGMA-A site, northwest Greenland, during summer 2012

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 971-988 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Niwano ◽  
T. Aoki ◽  
S. Matoba ◽  
S. Yamaguchi ◽  
T. Tanikawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiative Forcing ◽  
Greenland Ice Sheet ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Snow Albedo ◽  
Physically Based ◽  
Significant Temperature ◽  
A Site ◽  
Temperature Surface

Abstract. The surface energy balance (SEB) from 30 June to 14 July 2012 at site SIGMA (Snow Impurity and Glacial Microbe effects on abrupt warming in the Arctic)-A, (78°03' N, 67°38' W; 1490 m a.s.l.) on the northwest Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) was investigated by using in situ atmospheric and snow measurements as well as numerical modeling with a one-dimensional multi-layered physical snowpack model called SMAP (Snow Metamorphism and Albedo Process). At SIGMA-A, remarkable near-surface snowmelt and continuous heavy rainfall (accumulated precipitation between 10 and 14 July was estimated to be 100 mm) were observed after 10 July 2012. Application of the SMAP model to the GrIS snowpack was evaluated based on the snow temperature profile, snow surface temperature, surface snow grain size, and shortwave albedo, all of which the model simulated reasonably well. Above all, the fact that the SMAP model successfully reproduced frequently observed rapid increases in snow albedo under cloudy conditions highlights the advantage of the physically based snow albedo model (PBSAM) incorporated in the SMAP model. Using such data and model, we estimated the SEB at SIGMA-A from 30 June to 14 July 2012. Radiation-related fluxes were obtained from in situ measurements, whereas other fluxes were calculated with the SMAP model. By examining the components of the SEB, we determined that low-level clouds accompanied by a significant temperature increase played an important role in the melt event observed at SIGMA-A. These conditions induced a remarkable surface heating via cloud radiative forcing in the polar region.

scholarly journals Consequences of the 2019 Greenland Ice Sheet Melt Episode on Albedo

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 227
Author(s):  
Arthur Elmes ◽  
Charlotte Levy ◽  
Angela Erb ◽  
Dorothy K. Hall ◽  
Ted A. Scambos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiative Forcing ◽  
Surface Albedo ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Greenland Ice Sheet ◽  
Surface Energy Budget ◽  
Landsat 8 ◽  
Moderate Resolution ◽  
Resolution Imaging ◽  
Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer ◽  
Seasonal Snow Cover

In mid-June 2019, the Greenland ice sheet (GrIS) experienced an extreme early-season melt event. This, coupled with an earlier-than-average melt onset and low prior winter snowfall over western Greenland, led to a rapid decrease in surface albedo and greater solar energy absorption over the melt season. The 2019 melt season resulted in significantly more melt than other recent years, even compared to exceptional melt years previously identified in the moderate-resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) record. The increased solar radiation absorbance in 2019 warmed the surface and increased the rate of meltwater production. We use two decades of satellite-derived albedo from the MODIS MCD43 record to show a significant and extended decrease in albedo in Greenland during 2019. This decrease, early in the melt season and continuing during peak summer insolation, caused increased radiative forcing of the ice sheet of 2.33 Wm−2 for 2019. Radiative forcing is strongly influenced by the dramatic seasonal differences in surface albedo experienced by any location experiencing persistent and seasonal snow-cover. We also illustrate the utility of the newly developed Landsat-8 albedo product for better capturing the detailed spatial heterogeneity of the landscape, leading to a more refined representation of the surface energy budget. While the MCD43 data accurately capture the albedo for a given 500 m pixel, the higher spatial resolution 30 m Landsat-8 albedos more fully represent the detailed landscape variations.

scholarly journals Comment on "Radiative forcings for 28 potential Archean greenhouse gases" by Byrne and Goldblatt (2014)

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1097-1105 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. V. Kochanov ◽  
I. E. Gordon ◽  
L. S. Rothman ◽  
S. W. Sharpe ◽  
T. J. Johnson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gases ◽  
Cross Sections ◽  
Spectral Region ◽  
Radiative Forcing ◽  
Recent Article ◽  
The Other ◽  
Radiative Forcings ◽  
The Status ◽  
Moderate Resolution ◽  
Spectroscopic Database

Abstract. In the recent article by Byrne and Goldblatt, "Radiative forcing for 28 potential Archean greenhouse gases", Clim. Past. 10, 1779–1801 (2014), the authors employ the HITRAN2012 spectroscopic database to evaluate the radiative forcing of 28 Archean gases. As part of the evaluation of the status of the spectroscopy of these gases in the selected spectral region (50–1800 cm−1), the cross sections generated from the HITRAN line-by-line parameters were compared with those of the PNNL database of experimental cross sections recorded at moderate resolution. The authors claimed that for NO2, HNO3, H2CO, H2O2, HCOOH, C2H4, CH3OH and CH3Br there exist large or sometimes severe disagreements between the databases. In this work we show that for only three of these eight gases a modest discrepancy does exist between the two databases and we explain the origin of the differences. For the other five gases, the disagreements are not nearly at the scale suggested by the authors, while we explain some of the differences that do exist. In summary, the agreement between the HITRAN and PNNL databases is very good, although not perfect. Typically differences do not exceed 10 %, provided that HITRAN data exist for the bands/wavelengths of interest. It appears that a molecule-dependent combination of errors has affected the conclusions of the authors. In at least one case it appears that they did not take the correct file from PNNL (N2O4 (dimer)+ NO2 was used in place of the monomer). Finally, cross sections of HO2 from HITRAN (which do not have a PNNL counterpart) were not calculated correctly in BG, while in the case of HF misleading discussion was presented there based on the confusion by foreign or noise features in the experimental PNNL spectra.

scholarly journals Representing icebergs in the <i>i</i>LOVECLIM model (version 1.0) – a sensitivity study

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 4353-4381
Author(s):  
M. Bügelmayer ◽  
D. M. Roche ◽  
H. Renssen
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Northern Hemisphere ◽  
Radiative Forcing ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Greenland Ice Sheet ◽  
Initial Size ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Melt Water ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. Recent modelling studies have indicated that icebergs alter the ocean's state, the thickness of sea ice and the prevailing atmospheric conditions, in short play an active role in the climate system. The icebergs' impact is due to their slowly released melt water which freshens and cools the ocean. The spatial distribution of the icebergs and thus their melt water depends on the forces (atmospheric and oceanic) acting on them as well as on the icebergs' size. The studies conducted so far have in common that the icebergs were moved by reconstructed or modelled forcing fields and that the initial size distribution of the icebergs was prescribed according to present day observations. To address these shortcomings, we used the climate model iLOVECLIM that includes actively coupled ice-sheet and iceberg modules, to conduct 15 sensitivity experiments to analyse (1) the impact of the forcing fields (atmospheric vs. oceanic) on the icebergs' distribution and melt flux, and (2) the effect of the used initial iceberg size on the resulting Northern Hemisphere climate and ice sheet under different climate conditions (pre-industrial, strong/weak radiative forcing). Our results show that, under equilibrated pre-industrial conditions, the oceanic currents cause the bergs to stay close to the Greenland and North American coast, whereas the atmospheric forcing quickly distributes them further away from their calving site. These different characteristics strongly affect the lifetime of icebergs, since the wind-driven icebergs melt up to two years faster as they are quickly distributed into the relatively warm North Atlantic waters. Moreover, we find that local variations in the spatial distribution due to different iceberg sizes do not result in different climate states and Greenland ice sheet volume, independent of the prevailing climate conditions (pre-industrial, warming or cooling climate). Therefore, we conclude that local differences in the distribution of their melt flux do not alter the prevailing Northern Hemisphere climate and ice sheet under equilibrated conditions und constant supply of icebergs. Furthermore, our results suggest that the applied radiative forcing scenarios have a stronger impact on climate than the used initial size distribution of the icebergs.

scholarly journals Accuracy Evaluation of Four Greenland Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) and Assessment of River Network Extraction

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (20) ◽  
pp. 3429
Author(s):  
Ziyang Xing ◽  
Zhaohui Chi ◽  
Ying Yang ◽  
Shiyi Chen ◽  
Huabing Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Digital Elevation Models ◽  
Greenland Ice Sheet ◽  
River Network ◽  
The Other ◽  
Time Range ◽  
Accuracy Evaluation ◽  
Digital Elevation ◽  
Dem Accuracy ◽  
The Impact

Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) of Greenland provide the basic data for studying the Greenland ice sheet (GrIS), but little research quantitatively evaluates and compares the accuracy of various Greenland DEMs. This study uses IceBridge elevation data to evaluate the accuracies of the the Greenland Ice Map Project (GIMP)1 DEM, GIMP2 DEM, TanDEM-X, and ArcticDEM in their corresponding time ranges. This study also analyzes the impact of DEM accuracy and resolution on the accuracy of river network extraction. The results show that (1) within the time range covered by each DEM, TanDEM-X with an RMSE of 5.60 m has higher accuracy than the other DEMs in terms of absolute height accuracy, while GIMP1 has the lowest accuracy among the four Greenland DEMs, with an RMSE of 14.34 m. (2) Greenland DEMs are affected by regional errors and interannual changes. The accuracy in areas with elevations above 2000 m is higher than that in areas with elevations below 2000 m, and better accuracy is observed in the north than in the south. The stability of the ArcticDEM product is higher than those of the other three DEM products, and its RMSE standard deviation over multiple years is only 0.14 m. Therefore, the errors caused by the applications of DEMs with longer time spans are smaller. GIMP1 performs in an opposite manner, with a standard deviation of 2.39 m. (3) The river network extracted from TanDEM-X is close to the real river network digitized from remote sensing images, with an accuracy of 50.78%. The river network extracted from GIMP1 exhibits the largest errors, with an accuracy of only 8.83%. This study calculates and compares the accuracy of four Greenland DEMs and indicates that TanDEM-X has the highest accuracy, adding quantitative studies on the accuracy evaluation of various Greenland DEMs. This study also compares the results of different DEM river network extractions, verifies the impact of DEM accuracy on the accuracy of the river network extraction results, and provides an explorable direction for the hydrological analysis of Greenland as a whole.

scholarly journals Development of physically based liquid water schemes for Greenland firn-densification models

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1819-1842 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent Verjans ◽  
Amber A. Leeson ◽  
C. Max Stevens ◽  
Michael MacFerrin ◽  
Brice Noël ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Flow ◽  
Liquid Water ◽  
Preferential Flow ◽  
Greenland Ice Sheet ◽  
Single Domain ◽  
Richards Equation ◽  
Retention Capacity ◽  
Water Percolation ◽  
Physically Based ◽  
Dual Domain

Abstract. As surface melt is increasing on the Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS), quantifying the retention capacity of the firn layer is critical to linking meltwater production to meltwater runoff. Firn-densification models have so far relied on empirical approaches to account for the percolation–refreezing process, and more physically based representations of liquid water flow might bring improvements to model performance. Here we implement three types of water percolation schemes into the Community Firn Model: the bucket approach, the Richards equation in a single domain and the Richards equation in a dual domain, which accounts for partitioning between matrix and fast preferential flow. We investigate their impact on firn densification at four locations on the GrIS and compare model results with observations. We find that for all of the flow schemes, significant discrepancies remain with respect to observed firn density, particularly the density variability in depth, and that inter-model differences are large (porosity of the upper 15 m firn varies by up to 47 %). The simple bucket scheme is as efficient in replicating observed density profiles as the single-domain Richards equation, and the most physically detailed dual-domain scheme does not necessarily reach best agreement with observed data. However, we find that the implementation of preferential flow simulates ice-layer formation more reliably and allows for deeper percolation. We also find that the firn model is more sensitive to the choice of densification scheme than to the choice of water percolation scheme. The disagreements with observations and the spread in model results demonstrate that progress towards an accurate description of water flow in firn is necessary. The numerous uncertainties about firn structure (e.g. grain size and shape, presence of ice layers) and about its hydraulic properties, as well as the one-dimensionality of firn models, render the implementation of physically based percolation schemes difficult. Additionally, the performance of firn models is still affected by the various effects affecting the densification process such as microstructural effects, wet snow metamorphism and temperature sensitivity when meltwater is present.

scholarly journals Supercooled liquid fogs over the central Greenland Ice Sheet

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (11) ◽  
pp. 7467-7485
Author(s):  
Christopher J. Cox ◽  
David C. Noone ◽  
Max Berkelhammer ◽  
Matthew D. Shupe ◽  
William D. Neff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiative Forcing ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Greenland Ice Sheet ◽  
Extreme Case ◽  
Supercooled Liquid ◽  
Surface Radiation ◽  
Radiative Properties ◽  
Small Contribution ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Radiation Fogs

Abstract. Radiation fogs at Summit Station, Greenland (72.58∘ N, 38.48∘ W; 3210 m a.s.l.), are frequently reported by observers. The fogs are often accompanied by fogbows, indicating the particles are composed of liquid; and because of the low temperatures at Summit, this liquid is supercooled. Here we analyze the formation of these fogs as well as their physical and radiative properties. In situ observations of particle size and droplet number concentration were made using scattering spectrometers near 2 and 10 m height from 2012 to 2014. These data are complemented by colocated observations of meteorology, turbulent and radiative fluxes, and remote sensing. We find that liquid fogs occur in all seasons with the highest frequency in September and a minimum in April. Due to the characteristics of the boundary-layer meteorology, the fogs are elevated, forming between 2 and 10 m, and the particles then fall toward the surface. The diameter of mature particles is typically 20–25 µm in summer. Number concentrations are higher at warmer temperatures and, thus, higher in summer compared to winter. The fogs form at temperatures as warm as −5 ∘C, while the coldest form at temperatures approaching −40 ∘C. Facilitated by the elevated condensation, in winter two-thirds of fogs occurred within a relatively warm layer above the surface when the near-surface air was below −40 ∘C, as cold as −57 ∘C, which is too cold to support liquid water. This implies that fog particles settling through this layer of cold air freeze in the air column before contacting the surface, thereby accumulating at the surface as ice without riming. Liquid fogs observed under otherwise clear skies annually imparted 1.5 W m−2 of cloud radiative forcing (CRF). While this is a small contribution to the surface radiation climatology, individual events are influential. The mean CRF during liquid fog events was 26 W m−2, and was sometimes much higher. An extreme case study was observed to radiatively force 5 ∘C of surface warming during the coldest part of the day, effectively damping the diurnal cycle. At lower elevations of the ice sheet where melting is more common, such damping could signal a role for fogs in preconditioning the surface for melting later in the day.

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