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.

Light-absorbing Particles in Snow and Ice: Measurement and Modeling of Climatic and Hydrological impact

Light absorbing particles（LAP, e.g., black carbon, brown carbon, and dust） influence water and energy budgets of the atmosphere and snowpack in multiple ways. In addition to their effects associated with atmospheric heating by absorption of solar radiation and interactions with clouds, LAP in snow on land and ice can reduce the surface reflectance（a.k.a., surface darkening）, which is likely to accelerate the snow aging process and further reduces snow albedo and increases the speed of snowpack melt. LAP in snow and ice（LAPSI） has been identified as one of major forcings affecting climate change, e.g.in the fourth and fifth assessment reports of IPCC. However, the uncertainty level in quantifying this effect remains very high. In this review paper, we document various technical methods of measuring LAPSI and review the progress made in measuring the LAPSI in Arctic, Tibetan Plateau and other mid-latitude regions. We also report the progress in modeling the mass concentrations, albedo reduction, radiative forcing, and climatic and hydrological impact of LAPSI at global and regional scales. Finally we identify some research needs for reducing the uncertainties in the impact of LAPSI on global and regional climate and the hydrological cycle.

Photoacoustic measurement of the thermal property of condensed matter using a strong light-absorbing surface layer

By using a strong light-absorbing surface layer and front-surface illumination with a low power He-Ne laser ( 6mW), photoacoustic measurements of the thermal effusivities of materials have been made, based on the photoacoustic theory, derived in this paper, of condensed matter with a strong light- absorbing surface layer. This method can eliminate the stray light, give full play to the power of the light irradiation, and improve the signal to noise ratio. The experiment results are in good agreement with the theoretical values.

Improvement of a Snow Albedo Parameterization in the Snow–Atmosphere–Soil Transfer Model:Evaluation of Impacts of Aerosol on Seasonal Snow Cover

The presence of light-absorbing aerosols （LAA） in snow profoundly influence the surface energy balance and water budget. However, most snow-process schemes in land-surface and climate models currently do not take this into consider- ation. To better represent the snow process and to evaluate the impacts of LAA on snow, this study presents an improved snow albedo parameterization in the Snow-Atmosphere-Soil on snow. Specifically, the Snow, Ice and Aerosol Radiation Transfer （SAST） model, which includes the impacts of LAA （SNICAR） model is incorporated into the SAST model with an LAA mass stratigraphy scheme. The new coupled model is validated against in-situ measurements at the Swamp Angel Study Plot （SASP）, Colorado, USA. Results show that the snow albedo and snow depth are better reproduced than those in the original SAST, particularly during the period of snow ablation. Furthermore, the impacts of LAA on snow are esti- mated in the coupled model through case comparisons of the snowpack, with or without LAA. The LAA particles directly absorb extra solar radiation, which accelerates the growth rate of the snow grain size. Meanwhile, these larger snow particles favor more radiative absorption. The average total radiative forcing of the LAA at the SASP is 47.5 W m-2. This extra radiative absorption enhances the snowmelt rate. As a result, the peak runoff time and ＂snow all gone＂ day have shifted 18 and 19.5 days earlier, respectively, which could further impose substantial impacts on the hydrologic cycle and atmospheric processes.

A short climatology of black and brown carbon and their sources at a suburban site impacted by smoke in Brazil

Emissions from biomass burning challenge efforts to curb air pollution in cities downwind of fire-prone regions,as they contribute large amounts of brown carbon(Br C)and black carbon(BC)particles.We investigated the patterns of Br C and BC concentrations using Aethalometer data(atλ=370 and 880 nm,respectively)spanning four years at a site impacted by the outflow of smoke.The data required to be post processed for the shadowing effect since,without correction,concentrations would be between 29%and 35%underestimated.The Br C concentrations were consistently higher than the BC concentrations,indicating the prevalence of aerosols from biomass burning.The results were supported by the Angstrom coefficient(A_(370/880)),with values predominantly larger than 1(mean±standard deviation:1.25±0.31).A_(370/880)values below 1 were more prevalent during the wet season,which suggests a contribution from fossil fuel combustion.We observed sharp Br C and BC seasonal signals,with mean minimum concentrations of 0.40μg/m^(3)and 0.36μg/m^(3),respectively,in the wet season,and mean maximum concentrations of 2.05μg/m^(3)and 1.53μg/m^(3)in the dry season.The largest concentrations were observed when northerly air masses moved over regions with a high density of fire spots.Local burning of residential solid waste and industrial combustion caused extreme Br C and BC concentrations under favourable wind directions.Although neither pollutant is included in any ambient air quality standards,our results suggest that transboundary smoke may hamper efforts to meet the World Health Organization guidelines for fine particles.

Unprecedented snow darkening and melting in New Zealand due to 2019–2020 Australian wildfires

Wildfire events have recently shown a rapid increase in frequency and scale due to the warmer present-day climate;however,their potential effects on the cryosphere are difficult to assess.Catastrophic wildfires in Australia during 2019–2020 emitted large amounts of light-absorbing particles(LAPs)to the atmosphere.Satellite observations indicate that these LAPs caused unprecedented snow-darkening of glaciers in New Zealand through long-range transport and deposition,with their effects lasting for up to three months in January–March 2020,influencing>90%of total glacier/snow and leading to a mean broadband snow-reflectance reduction of 0.08±0.03.This snow darkening accelerated snowmelt by~0.41±0.2 cm day–1 during the southern summer,equivalent to that caused by a~1.8°C increase in air temperature.This indicates the significant impact of the 2019–2020 Australian wildfires on the hydrologic cycle in New Zealand,exceeding that of the local climate warming of~1.5°C since the preindustrial period.Wildfire-induced snow darkening is not limited to New Zealand.Future projections of wildfire incidence indicate widespread effects of snow darkening on the global cryosphere.