scholarly journals Thermal tracing of retained meltwater in the lower accumulation area of the Southwestern Greenland ice sheet

2016 ◽  
Vol 57 (72) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charalampos Charalampidis ◽  
Dirk Van As ◽  
William T. Colgan ◽  
Robert S. Fausto ◽  
Michael Macferrin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pore Volume ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Greenland Ice Sheet ◽  
Layer Formation ◽  
Complete Filling

ABSTRACTWe present in situ firn temperatures from the extreme 2012 melt season in the southwestern lower accumulation area of the Greenland ice sheet. The upper 2.5 m of snow and firn was temperate during the melt season, when vertical meltwater percolation was inefficient due to a ~5.5 m thick ice layer underlying the temperate firn. Meltwater percolation and refreezing beneath 2.5 m depth only occurred after the melt season. Deviations from temperatures predicted by pure conductivity suggest that meltwater refroze in discrete bands at depths of 2.0–2.5, 5.0–6.0 and 8.0–9.0 m. While we find no indication of meltwater percolation below 9 m depth or complete filling of pore volume above, firn at 10 and 15 m depth was respectively 4.2–4.5°C and 1.7°C higher than in a conductivity-only simulation. Even though meltwater percolation in 2012 was inefficient, firn between 2 and 15 m depth the following winter was on average 4.7°C warmer due to meltwater refreezing. Our observations also suggest that the 2012 firn conditions were preconditioned by two warm summers and ice layer formation in 2010 and 2011. Overall, firn temperatures during the years 2009–13 increased by 0.6°C.

scholarly journals Melt season duration and ice layer formation on the Greenland ice sheet, 2000–2004

2007 ◽  
Vol 112 (F4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Libo Wang ◽  
Martin Sharp ◽  
Benoit Rivard ◽  
Konrad Steffen
Keyword(s):  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Greenland Ice Sheet ◽  
Layer Formation

Mapping the aerodynamic roughness of the Greenland ice sheet surface using ICESat-2

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maurice van Tiggelen ◽  
Paul C.J.P. Smeets ◽  
Carleen H. Reijmer ◽  
Bert Wouters ◽  
Jakob F. Steiner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Eddy Covariance ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Greenland Ice Sheet ◽  
Surface Elevation ◽  
Spatiotemporal Variability ◽  
Atmospheric Models ◽  
Laser Altimeter ◽  
Eddy Covariance Measurements ◽  
Aerodynamic Roughness

<p>The roughness of a natural surface is an important parameter in atmospheric models, as it determines the intensity of turbulent transfer between the atmosphere and the surface. Unfortunately, this parameter is often poorly known, especially in remote areas where neither high-resolution elevation models nor eddy-covariance measurements are available.</p><p>In this study, we take advantage of the measurements of the ICESat-2 satellite laser altimeter. We use the geolocated photons product (ATL03) to retrieve a 1-m resolution surface elevation product over the K-transect (West Greenland ice sheet). In combination with a bulk drag partitioning model, the retrieved surface elevation is used to estimate the aerodynamic roughness length (z<sub>0m</sub>) of the surface.</p><p>We demonstrate the high precision of the retrieved ICESat-2 elevation using co-located UAV photogrammetry, and then evaluate the modelled aerodynamic roughness against multiple in situ eddy-covariance observations. The results point out the importance to use a bulk drag model over a more empirical formulation.</p><p>The currently available ATL03 geolocated photons are used to map the aerodynamic roughness along the K-transect (2018-2020). We find a considerable spatiotemporal variability in z<sub>0m</sub>, ranging between 10<sup>−4</sup> m for a smooth snow surface to more than 10<sup>−1</sup> m for rough crevassed areas, which confirms the need to incorporate a variable aerodynamic roughness in atmospheric models over ice sheets.</p>

scholarly journals The darkening of the Greenland ice sheet: trends, drivers, and projections (1981–2100)

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 477-496 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Tedesco ◽  
Sarah Doherty ◽  
Xavier Fettweis ◽  
Patrick Alexander ◽  
Jeyavinoth Jeyaratnam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Greenland Ice Sheet ◽  
Aerosol Deposition ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Multispectral Data ◽  
Warming Climate ◽  
Air Temperatures ◽  
Increasing Trends ◽  
Snow And Ice

Abstract. The surface energy balance and meltwater production of the Greenland ice sheet (GrIS) are modulated by snow and ice albedo through the amount of absorbed solar radiation. Here we show, using space-borne multispectral data collected during the 3 decades from 1981 to 2012, that summertime surface albedo over the GrIS decreased at a statistically significant (99 %) rate of 0.02 decade−1 between 1996 and 2012. Over the same period, albedo modelled by the Modèle Atmosphérique Régionale (MAR) also shows a decrease, though at a lower rate ( ∼ −0.01 decade−1) than that obtained from space-borne data. We suggest that the discrepancy between modelled and measured albedo trends can be explained by the absence in the model of processes associated with the presence of light-absorbing impurities. The negative trend in observed albedo is confined to the regions of the GrIS that undergo melting in summer, with the dry-snow zone showing no trend. The period 1981–1996 also showed no statistically significant trend over the whole GrIS. Analysis of MAR outputs indicates that the observed albedo decrease is attributable to the combined effects of increased near-surface air temperatures, which enhanced melt and promoted growth in snow grain size and the expansion of bare ice areas, and to trends in light-absorbing impurities (LAI) on the snow and ice surfaces. Neither aerosol models nor in situ and remote sensing observations indicate increasing trends in LAI in the atmosphere over Greenland. Similarly, an analysis of the number of fires and BC emissions from fires points to the absence of trends for such quantities. This suggests that the apparent increase of LAI in snow and ice might be related to the exposure of a "dark band" of dirty ice and to increased consolidation of LAI at the surface with melt, not to increased aerosol deposition. Albedo projections through to the end of the century under different warming scenarios consistently point to continued darkening, with albedo anomalies averaged over the whole ice sheet lower by 0.08 in 2100 than in 2000, driven solely by a warming climate. Future darkening is likely underestimated because of known underestimates in modelled melting (as seen in hindcasts) and because the model albedo scheme does not currently include the effects of LAI, which have a positive feedback on albedo decline through increased melting, grain growth, and darkening.

scholarly journals The surface albedo of the Greenland ice sheet: satellite-derived and in situ measurements in the Søndre Strømfjord area during the 1991 melt season

1996 ◽  
Vol 42 (141) ◽  
pp. 364-374 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wouter H. Knap ◽  
Johannes Oerlemans
Keyword(s):  
Surface Albedo ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Broad Band ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Greenland Ice Sheet ◽  
Zone Ii ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Pixel Scale ◽  
Very High

AbstractThe temporal and spatial variation in the surface albedo of the Greenland ice sheet during the ablation season of 1991 is investigated. The study focuses on an area east of Søndre Strømfjord measuring 200 km by 200 km and centred at 67°5′ N, 48° 13′W. The analysis is based on satellite radiance measurements carried out by the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR). The broad-band albedo is estimated from the albedos in channel 1 (visible) and channel 2 (near-infrared). The results are calibrated with the surface albedo of sea and dry snow.Satellite-derived albedos are compared with GIMEX ground measurements at three stations. There is a high degree of consistency in temporal variation at two of the three stations. Large systematic differences are attributed to albedo variations on sub-pixel scale.In the course of the ablation season four zones appear, each parallel to the ice edge. It is proposed that these are, in order of increasing altitude: (I) clean and dry ice, (II) ice with surface water, (III) superimposed ice, and (IV) snow. An extensive description of these zones is given on the basis of the situation on 25 July 1991. Zones I, III and IV reveal fairly constant albedos (0.46, 0.65 and 0.75 on average), whereas zone II is characterised by an albedo minimum (0.34). Survey of the western margin of the Greenland ice sheet (up to 71° N) shows that the zonation occurs between 66° and 70° N.

scholarly journals Multi-modal albedo distributions in the ablation area of the southwestern Greenland Ice Sheet

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 905-923 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. E. Moustafa ◽  
A. K. Rennermalm ◽  
L. C. Smith ◽  
M. A. Miller ◽  
J. R. Mioduszewski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Albedo ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Greenland Ice Sheet ◽  
Arctic Region ◽  
Bimodal Distribution ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Remotely Sensed Data ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Ablation Area

Abstract. Surface albedo is a key variable controlling solar radiation absorbed at the Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) surface and, thus, meltwater production. Recent decline in surface albedo over the GrIS has been linked to enhanced snow grain metamorphic rates, earlier snowmelt, and amplified melt–albedo feedback from atmospheric warming. However, the importance of distinct surface types on ablation area albedo and meltwater production is still relatively unknown. In this study, we analyze albedo and ablation rates using in situ and remotely sensed data. Observations include (1) a new high-quality in situ spectral albedo data set collected with an Analytical Spectral Devices Inc. spectroradiometer measuring at 325–1075 nm along a 1.25 km transect during 3 days in June 2013; (2) broadband albedo at two automatic weather stations; and (3) daily MODerate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) albedo (MOD10A1) between 31 May and 30 August 2012 and 2013. We find that seasonal ablation area albedos in 2013 have a bimodal distribution, with snow and ice facies characterizing the two peaks. Our results show that a shift from a distribution dominated by high to low albedos corresponds to an observed melt rate increase of 51.5% (between 10–14 July and 20–24 July 2013). In contrast, melt rate variability caused by albedo changes before and after this shift was much lower and varied between ~10 and 30% in the melting season. Ablation area albedos in 2012 exhibited a more complex multimodal distribution, reflecting a transition from light to dark-dominated surface, as well as sensitivity to the so called "dark-band" region in southwest Greenland. In addition to a darkening surface from ice crystal growth, our findings demonstrate that seasonal changes in GrIS ablation area albedos are controlled by changes in the fractional coverage of snow, bare ice, and impurity-rich surface types. Thus, seasonal variability in ablation area albedos appears to be regulated primarily as a function of bare ice expansion at the expense of snow, surface meltwater ponding, and melting of outcropped ice layers enriched with mineral materials, enabling dust and impurities to accumulate. As climate change continues in the Arctic region, understanding the seasonal evolution of ice sheet surface types in Greenland's ablation area is critical to improve projections of mass loss contributions to sea level rise.

scholarly journals The surface albedo of the Greenland ice sheet: satellite-derived and in situ measurements in the Søndre Strømfjord area during the 1991 melt season

1996 ◽  
Vol 42 (141) ◽  
pp. 364-374 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wouter H. Knap ◽  
Johannes Oerlemans
Keyword(s):  
Surface Albedo ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Broad Band ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Greenland Ice Sheet ◽  
Zone Ii ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Pixel Scale ◽  
Very High

AbstractThe temporal and spatial variation in the surface albedo of the Greenland ice sheet during the ablation season of 1991 is investigated. The study focuses on an area east of Søndre Strømfjord measuring 200 km by 200 km and centred at 67°5′ N, 48° 13′W. The analysis is based on satellite radiance measurements carried out by the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR). The broad-band albedo is estimated from the albedos in channel 1 (visible) and channel 2 (near-infrared). The results are calibrated with the surface albedo of sea and dry snow.Satellite-derived albedos are compared with GIMEX ground measurements at three stations. There is a high degree of consistency in temporal variation at two of the three stations. Large systematic differences are attributed to albedo variations on sub-pixel scale.In the course of the ablation season four zones appear, each parallel to the ice edge. It is proposed that these are, in order of increasing altitude: (I) clean and dry ice, (II) ice with surface water, (III) superimposed ice, and (IV) snow. An extensive description of these zones is given on the basis of the situation on 25 July 1991. Zones I, III and IV reveal fairly constant albedos (0.46, 0.65 and 0.75 on average), whereas zone II is characterised by an albedo minimum (0.34). Survey of the western margin of the Greenland ice sheet (up to 71° N) shows that the zonation occurs between 66° and 70° N.

Basal Drainage System Response to Increasing Surface Melt on the Greenland Ice Sheet

Science ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 341 (6147) ◽  
pp. 777-779 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Meierbachtol ◽  
J. Harper ◽  
N. Humphrey
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Models ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Drainage System ◽  
Greenland Ice Sheet ◽  
System Response ◽  
Mountain Glaciers ◽  
In Situ Observations ◽  
Key Aspects ◽  
Conduit Development

Surface meltwater reaching the bed of the Greenland ice sheet imparts a fundamental control on basal motion. Sliding speed depends on ice/bed coupling, dictated by the configuration and pressure of the hydrologic drainage system. In situ observations in a four-site transect containing 23 boreholes drilled to Greenland’s bed reveal basal water pressures unfavorable to water-draining conduit development extending inland beneath deep ice. This finding is supported by numerical analysis based on realistic ice sheet geometry. Slow meltback of ice walls limits conduit growth, inhibiting their capacity to transport increased discharge. Key aspects of current conceptual models for Greenland basal hydrology, derived primarily from the study of mountain glaciers, appear to be limited to a portion of the ablation zone near the ice sheet margin.

scholarly journals Quantifying meltwater refreezing along a transect of sites on the Greenland ice sheet

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 691-701 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Cox ◽  
N. Humphrey ◽  
J. Harper
Keyword(s):  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Greenland Ice Sheet ◽  
High Temporal Resolution ◽  
Temperature Profiles ◽  
Lateral Migration ◽  
Conservation Of Energy ◽  
Surface Mass ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Heat Released

Abstract. On the Greenland ice sheet, a significant quantity of surface meltwater refreezes within the firn, creating uncertainty in surface mass balance estimates. This refreezing has the potential to buffer seasonal runoff to future increases in melting, but direct measurement of the process remains difficult. We present a method for quantifying refreezing at point locations using in situ firn temperature observations. A time series of sub-hourly firn temperature profiles were collected over the course of two melt seasons from 2007 to 2009 along a transect of 11 sites in the accumulation zone of Greenland. Seasonal changes in temperature profiles combined with heat flux estimates based on high-temporal-resolution temperature gradients enable us to isolate the heat released by refreezing using conservation of energy. Our method is verified from winter data when no refreezing takes place, and uncertainty is estimated using a Monte Carlo technique. While we limit our method to a subsection of firn between depths of 1 and 10 m, our refreezing estimates appear to differ significantly from model-based estimates. Furthermore, results indicate that a significant amount of refreezing takes place at depths greater than 1 m and that lateral migration of meltwater significantly complicates the relationship between total surface melt and total refreezing.

scholarly journals High-Resolution in Situ Measurement of Nitrate in Runoff from the Greenland Ice Sheet

2017 ◽  
Vol 51 (21) ◽  
pp. 12518-12527 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander D. Beaton ◽  
Jemma L. Wadham ◽  
Jon Hawkings ◽  
Elizabeth A. Bagshaw ◽  
Guillaume Lamarche-Gagnon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Greenland Ice Sheet ◽  
In Situ Measurement
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document