Introduction:
Albedo is a fraction of radiation which reflects back into space [NASA/GISS]. It commonly refers to the "whiteness" of a surface, that 0 and 1 indicates back and white, respectively. There is an ever-increasing need for albedo data which can be used in [National Snow and Ice Data Centre]. Existing algorithms for coarse resolution (i.e. MODIS products) albedo estimation all require surface from explicit and reliable atmospheric correction for bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) that sometimes is limited by cloud cover.
The energy budget of ice/snow surface could be modulated by albedo change since a small reduction of albedo can increase the surface temperature and melting due to increase the surface absorption [Hansen and Nazarenko 2004]. Since it is one of the major properties that controls how much energy reaches the surface of the Earth, it is an important factor in climate and glacier models. Oerlemans et al. (2009) stated that between 2003 and 2006 the ice albedo, on the tongue of Morteratsch glacier in Switzerland, declined up to 1.7. This amount resembles a temperature of +1.7°C. Snow albedo is essentially a function of snow physical parameters and time which are contain snow grain size, impurity concentrations such as black carbon (BC) and mineral dust, deposition of new snow, ageing of dry snow, bare ice exposure, melting and run-off, liquid water content and also solar illumination [Michiel.M.Helsen,2017; Gardner, Sharp, 2010; Warren, Wiscombe, 1980]. The black carbon is an important factor in the reduction of snow albedo [Lee, Liou, 2012]. Thus, it is necessary to determine reasons of the surface shortwave radiation change, which is the main source of energy balance change in the Columbia icefield.
Albedo is a fraction of radiation which reflects back into space [NASA/GISS]. It commonly refers to the "whiteness" of a surface, that 0 and 1 indicates back and white, respectively. There is an ever-increasing need for albedo data which can be used in [National Snow and Ice Data Centre]. Existing algorithms for coarse resolution (i.e. MODIS products) albedo estimation all require surface from explicit and reliable atmospheric correction for bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) that sometimes is limited by cloud cover.
The energy budget of ice/snow surface could be modulated by albedo change since a small reduction of albedo can increase the surface temperature and melting due to increase the surface absorption [Hansen and Nazarenko 2004]. Since it is one of the major properties that controls how much energy reaches the surface of the Earth, it is an important factor in climate and glacier models. Oerlemans et al. (2009) stated that between 2003 and 2006 the ice albedo, on the tongue of Morteratsch glacier in Switzerland, declined up to 1.7. This amount resembles a temperature of +1.7°C. Snow albedo is essentially a function of snow physical parameters and time which are contain snow grain size, impurity concentrations such as black carbon (BC) and mineral dust, deposition of new snow, ageing of dry snow, bare ice exposure, melting and run-off, liquid water content and also solar illumination [Michiel.M.Helsen,2017; Gardner, Sharp, 2010; Warren, Wiscombe, 1980]. The black carbon is an important factor in the reduction of snow albedo [Lee, Liou, 2012]. Thus, it is necessary to determine reasons of the surface shortwave radiation change, which is the main source of energy balance change in the Columbia icefield.
Research Objectives:
The main research objective of this study is to determine why surface albedo had dramatic reduction in a seventeen-year period from 2000 to 2016. In addition, another object is to explore relationship between temperature increments and the black carbon that might effect on albedo.
The research question of this study is which one plays a significant role in albedo change, the land surface temperature or wildfire soot in the Columbia Icefield?
The results of this project will be used in glacier mass balance modelling of Columbia icefield that is the largest ice field in the Canadian Rocky Mountains where be predicted be vanishing by 2100 [Clarck et al,2014]. Understanding the relation between energy balance variables (shortwave radiation incoming /surface reflected and temperature) and external entities as black carbon (wildfire soot) by space born data (Modis products), air-flow modelling, spatial and statistical modelling will provide insight into Columbia icefield deglaciation modelling.
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The main research objective of this study is to determine why surface albedo had dramatic reduction in a seventeen-year period from 2000 to 2016. In addition, another object is to explore relationship between temperature increments and the black carbon that might effect on albedo.
The research question of this study is which one plays a significant role in albedo change, the land surface temperature or wildfire soot in the Columbia Icefield?
The results of this project will be used in glacier mass balance modelling of Columbia icefield that is the largest ice field in the Canadian Rocky Mountains where be predicted be vanishing by 2100 [Clarck et al,2014]. Understanding the relation between energy balance variables (shortwave radiation incoming /surface reflected and temperature) and external entities as black carbon (wildfire soot) by space born data (Modis products), air-flow modelling, spatial and statistical modelling will provide insight into Columbia icefield deglaciation modelling.
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Expected results:
In this study, I expect to find an integrate method that be able to predict the amount of Columbia icefield energy balance change based on change in the input variables. I compute albedo changes as a key factor in ice/snow energy balance that has a substantial effect on glacier temperature and ablation. Additionally, another expected result would be potential and strong correlation between surface temperature and surface albedo in the margins of icefield (ablation zone) and the core of icefield (accumulation zone). When the expected results (strong negative correlation between albedo and temperature in the core of icefield than margin) are not correct, I should find the external entities as black carbon soot that has a negative effect on albedo.
In this study, I expect to find an integrate method that be able to predict the amount of Columbia icefield energy balance change based on change in the input variables. I compute albedo changes as a key factor in ice/snow energy balance that has a substantial effect on glacier temperature and ablation. Additionally, another expected result would be potential and strong correlation between surface temperature and surface albedo in the margins of icefield (ablation zone) and the core of icefield (accumulation zone). When the expected results (strong negative correlation between albedo and temperature in the core of icefield than margin) are not correct, I should find the external entities as black carbon soot that has a negative effect on albedo.
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