Light-absorbing Particles in Snow in the context of climate, snowpack & glaciers: Where do we stand?
Abstract
This talk will review recent progress and challenges in quantifying the effects of light-absorbing particles in snow on climate and on snow and glacier melt. In addition to black carbon (BC), field measurements have revealed that brown carbon (BrC) from combustion, mineral dust, soil organics and, in some cases, algae can also play important roles in determining snow albedo. I will review the strengths and limitations of the techniques used to quantify each. I will also overview what we know about how light-absorbing particles in snow compare to other factors affecting snow and glacier albedo and melt, and emphasize the need for such a wholistic view.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2016
- Bibcode:
- 2016AGUFM.C12A..08D
- Keywords:
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- 0305 Aerosols and particles;
- ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION AND STRUCTUREDE: 0762 Mass balance 0764 Energy balance;
- CRYOSPHEREDE: 0792 Contaminants;
- CRYOSPHEREDE: 1863 Snow and ice;
- HYDROLOGY