Light-absorbing impurities on Keqikaer Glacier in western Tien Shan: concentrations and potential impact on albedo reduction

Light-absorbing impurities on glaciers are important factors that influence glacial surface albedo and accelerate glacier melt. In this study, the quantity of light-absorbing impurities on Keqikaer Glacier in western Tien Shan, Central Asia, was measured. We found that the average concentrations of black carbon was 2,180 ng/g, with a range from 250 ng/g to more than 10,000 ng/g. The average concentrations of organic carbon and mineral dust were 1,738 ng/g and 194 μg/g, respectively. Based on simulations performed with the Snow Ice Aerosol Radiative model simulations, black carbon and dust are responsible for approximately 64% and 9%, respectively, of the albedo reduction, and are associated with instantaneous radiative forcing of 323.18 W/m2(ranging from 142.16 to 619.25 W/m2) and 24.05 W/m2(ranging from 0.15 to69.77 W/m2), respectively. For different scenarios, the albedo and radiative forcing effect of black carbon is considerably greater than that of dust. The estimated radiative forcing at Keqikaer Glacier is higher than most similar values estimated by previous studies on the Tibetan Plateau, perhaps as a result of black carbon enrichment by melt scavenging. Light-absorbing impurities deposited on Keqikaer Glacier appear to mainly originate from central Asia, Siberia, western China(including the Taklimakan Desert) and parts of South Asia in summer, and from the Middle East and Central Asia in winter.A footprint analysis indicates that a large fraction(>60%) of the black carbon contributions on Keqikaer Glacier comes from anthropogenic sources. These results provide a scientific basis for regional mitigation efforts to reduce black carbon.

Impacts of Indian summer monsoon and stratospheric intrusion on air pollutants in the inland Tibetan Plateau

Air pollutants can be transported to the pristine regions such as the Tibetan Plateau,by monsoon and stratospheric intrusion.The Tibetan Plateau region has limited local anthropogenic emissions,while this region is influenced strongly by transport of heavy emissions mainly from South Asia.We conducted a comprehensive study on various air pollutants (PM_(2.5),total gaseous mercury,and surface ozone) at Nam Co Station in the inland Tibetan Plateau.Monthly mean PM_(2.5)concentration at Nam Co peaked in April before monsoon season,and decreased during the whole monsoon season (June–September).Monthly mean total gaseous mercury concentrations at Nam Co peaked in July and were in high levels during monsoon season.The Indian summer monsoon acted as a facilitator for transporting gaseous pollutants (total gaseous mercury) but a suppressor for particulate pollutants (PM_(2.5)) during the monsoon season.Different from both PM_(2.5)and total gaseous mercury variabilities,surface ozone concentrations at Nam Co are primarily attributed to stratospheric intrusion of ozone and peaked in May.The effects of the Indian summer monsoon and stratospheric intrusion on air pollutants in the inland Tibetan Plateau are complex and require further studies.

大气污染物跨境传输及其对青藏高原环境影响

青藏高原拥有独特的多圈层环境系统与生态类型,对我国乃至亚洲具有重要的生态安全屏障作用.在青藏高原开展污染物跨境传输的科学考察研究,既是地表多圈层相互作用研究的重要组成部分,也是支撑国家生态环境安全的战略需求.针对第二次青藏高原综合科学考察研究的'南亚通道'关键区,结合长期站点监测和短期强化观测,本文全面综述了青藏高原大气污染物时空分布、传输过程和机理,以及污染物对气候和生态系统影响方面的新认识.从历史趋势上看,青藏高原黑碳和汞等记录,自20世纪50年代以来呈现快速上升,反映了亚洲区域大气污染物排放的快速增多.从传输过程上看,跨越喜马拉雅山的高空环流以及局地的山谷风是大气污染物跨境传输的重要途径.大气气溶胶-雪冰辐射反馈效应对青藏高原的气候变化带来一定的影响,外源污染物对青藏高原生态系统的负面影响业已凸显.未来研究中,亟待精确量化跨境污染物的输送量和影响范围,预测未来情景下污染物排放与环境健康风险的变化趋势.

Priorities for the sustainable development of the ecological environment on the Tibetan Plateau

The Tibetan Plateau is often referred to as the “roof of the world” because most of its area lies more than 4000 m above sea-level. As a result of this high altitude, the Tibetan Plateau stores the largest volume of glacier after the Arctic and Antarctic regions and is often called the Earth's third pole [1]. It has recently been estimated that the glacier reserves of the Tibetan Plateau contain more than eight trillion cubic meters of water, which could supply more than two billion people [2]. A number of large rivers originate from the Tibetan Plateau, including the Yangtze River, Yellow River, Brahmaputra and Ganges, leading to it being called the “water tower of Asia”. The extreme environment and abundant water resources of the Tibetan Plateau mean that it forms a unique habitat for wildlife, and the genes of a large number of rare high-altitude plant and animal species are preserved in this important region.