中国天山西部季节性森林积雪物理特性

积雪特殊的物理特性对冰雪水文过程、积雪生态系统、不同尺度的气候系统有重要影响。目前对林下积雪物理特性缺乏系统性研究,因此对天山雪岭云杉林下季节性积雪深度、沉降速率、密度和含水率进行观测分析。结果表明：林下积雪深度小于开阔地;林下积雪沉降速率和新雪密实化率小于开阔地,且稳定期沉降速率小于融雪期。稳定期林下积雪密度小于开阔地,林下雪层密度最大值位于中粒雪层,开阔地则位于粗粒雪层;融雪期则全层密度趋于一致。稳定期林下雪层含水率随深度递减,开阔地雪层最大值出现粗粒雪层;融雪期雪层汗水峰值出现在细粒雪层,新雪层最小,林下雪层由细粒雪层到深霜层始终呈减小趋势,开阔地雪层由细粒雪层至中粒雪层逐渐减小,粗粒雪层至深霜层逐渐增大;稳定期雪层含水率日变化随深度的递减逐渐减小,开阔地大于林下;开阔地的新雪层和细粒雪层含水率的日变化大于林下,粗粒雪层到深霜层则小于林下。     

中国西北地区季节性积雪的性质与结构

中国内陆地区积雪分布十分广泛。根据西北地区大陆性气候条件下形成的“干寒型”积雪的特征 ,对中国天山和阿尔泰山山区的季节性积雪进行了观测与分析。结果表明 ,该区最大积雪深度达 15 2cm(1997) ,积雪层一般由新雪 (或表层凝结霜 )、细粒雪、中粒雪、粗粒雪、松散深霜、聚合深霜层和薄融冻冰层组成。与“湿暖型”积雪相比 ,“干寒型”积雪的性质具有密度小 (新雪的最小密度为 0 .0 4 g/cm3 )、含水率少 (隆冬期 <1% )、温度梯度大(最大可达 - 0 .5 2℃ /cm)、深霜发育层厚等特点 ,并且变质作用以热量交换和雪层压力变质作用为主。据中国科学院天山积雪与雪崩研究站 (43°2 0N ,84°2 9E ,海拔 1776m)的观测资料 ,中国内陆干旱区冬季积雪期雪面太阳辐射通量以负平衡为主 ,新雪雪面反射率达 96 % ,短波辐射在干寒型积雪中的穿透厚度达 2 8cm。春季积雪消融期 ,深霜层厚度可占整个积雪层厚度的 80 %。随着气温的升高 ,雪粒间的键链首先融化 ,使积雪变得松散 ,内聚力、抗压、抗拉和抗剪强度降低 ,积雪含水率也随之增大 ,整个积雪层趋于接近 0℃的等温现象 ,因此 ,春季天山、阿尔泰山等山地全层性湿雪崩频繁发生     

融雪期天山西部森林积雪表面能量平衡特征

通过对2013年春季中国科学院天山积雪与雪崩研究站站区内阳坡开阔地和阴坡雪岭云杉80%和20%开阔度林冠下气温、大气湿度、风速以及雪面短波和长波辐射的观测研究,分析了融雪期不同开阔度林冠下积雪表面能量平衡特征。结果表明:由于植被影响,阴坡雪岭云杉林冠下积雪表面净短波辐射和显热明显小于阳坡开阔地,但净长波辐射损失小于阳坡开阔地。阴坡林冠下积雪表面总能量明显小于阳坡开阔地,因此阴坡森林积雪融雪开始消融和结束时间明显晚于阳坡开阔地。在阴坡,林冠开阔度越大,雪面获得的净短波辐射和显热越大,但损失的净长波辐射和潜热也越大。不同开阔度林冠下和阳坡开阔地积雪表面的净短波辐射、显热和潜热有相同的日变化特征,但是森林积雪表面夜晚的显热和潜热多为0 W/m2;阴坡森林积雪表面长波辐射日变化特征明显不同于阳坡开阔地雪面。     

季节性森林积雪融雪期雪层含水率垂直廓线与时间变化特征

利用snow fork雪特性分析仪测量天山积雪与雪崩研究站融雪期开阔地(站区内气象观测场)与雪岭云杉林下雪层含水率,分析季节性森林积雪融雪期雪层含水率垂直廓线和时间变化特征以及与气温的关系。结果表明:由于开阔地和林下积雪接受的太阳辐射、雪层密度和雪层污化程度等的不同,开阔地、树冠边缘及距树干1m处的雪层含水率垂直廓线特征、雪层含水率的日变化特征以及融雪期雪层含水率随时间的变化特征各异;雪层含水率受气温因子影响最大,融雪期雪层含水率随气温变化呈指数增加,由于开阔地和林下微气象条件的不同,三点雪层含水率对日均温、最高温、最低温、日较差以及逐时气温的响应也不同,且雪层含水率对气温的滞后效应也各异。     

中国天山西部季节性森林积雪雪层温度时空分布特征

利用2009年12月27日～2010年4月2日天山积雪站站区内开阔地和雪岭云杉(Picea schrenkiana)林下6次降雪过程后雪层内时间间隔10 min的温度数据,探讨雪层温度变化特征。结果表明,越接近地表雪层温度越高,且在雪层表面形成冷中心和(局部)暖中心;在积雪稳定期林下雪层温度高于开阔地,融雪期林下低于开阔地;林下雪层冷、暖中心出现时间晚于开阔地,其强度也小于开阔地。林下雪层温度振幅小于开阔地,林下温度振幅拐点以上雪层温度振幅随深度和时间的递减率小于开阔地,拐点以下无明显差异。初冬,林下和开阔地雪层均为较小的正温度梯度,随着气温急剧下降,温度梯度逐渐增大,且从雪表向雪底递减,林下雪层负温度梯度出现时间晚于开阔地。开阔地和林下积雪表层正温度梯度最大值分别达到0.95℃/cm和0.82℃/cm,负温度梯度大值分别达到-0.84℃/cm和-0.35℃/cm;但开阔地全雪层日平均温度梯度小于林下雪层。     

天山积雪初步研究

本文依据气象、野外调查和部分文献资料写成,着重分析了天山最大积雪深度、积雪初、终期及其积雪期特征。研究表明,天山积雪存在明显地域差异:中天山和南天山南坡部分山区最大雪深超过100cm,甚至达到200或300cm,而东天山南坡盆地雪深仅15cm。中山带及其以下地区最大雪深出现在冬季始末,而高山带在暖季。林区雪深随海拔而增加,并在林线附近达到最大,然后急剧减小。天山中段北坡海拔440—3500m之间,每上升100m,积雪期延长80天;南坡小于此值。     

MODIS雪深反演数学模型验证及分析

在MODIS卫星遥感积雪监测的基础上,利用雪深反演数学模型、积雪指数NDSI和多光谱阈值等相结合的方法,对2004年以来新疆北疆地区的积雪分布状况进行了反演和计算,并利用2004年11月～2005年3月冬季北疆地区气象台站雪深数据和2004年12月～2006年1月加密野外实测雪深数据,对反演雪深数据进行了验证及分析,北疆各地除塔城地区反演精度为83.2%以外,其它地区反演精度达85.2%以上,平均反演精度达86.2%;野外实测数据验证反演精度达92%以上。     

欧亚大陆冬季雪深的时空演变特征及其影响因子分析

利用美国冰雪资料中心(National Snow and Ice Data Center)提供的前苏联1948~1994年逐日积雪深度资料,定义了冬季雪深增量的概念,探讨了欧亚大陆秋末雪深、冬季雪深、冬季雪深增量的时空演变规律,通过比较分析三者的异常变化特征,揭示了三者之间可能存在的联系。经验正交函数分解(EOF)结果表明:欧亚大陆冬季雪深、冬季雪深增量的第一模态的空间分布特征均为大致以50°N为界的南北反相变化,欧亚大陆北部的积雪深度和冬季雪深增量都呈现出一致性的变化趋势;两者对应的时间序列均反映了显著的年代际变化特征,且年代际转变均发生在20世纪70年代中期前后。第二模态则呈现出欧亚大陆东、西部反相的偶极型空间分布特征。进一步分析表明,欧亚大陆秋末雪深无论从空间分布还是时间演变来看与冬季雪深几乎不存在相关性。欧亚大陆冬季雪深变化主要是冬季雪深增量影响所致,与秋末雪深无关。     

库玛拉克河流域盛夏最大可能融雪雪量估算

利用2002-2008年6~9月EOS/MODIS卫星晴空资料,计算分析了融雪期库玛拉克河流域的积雪面积、覆盖率、雪深及雪水量;利用气象、水文台站的观测资料,对2002-2008年积雪变化与气象因子间的相互关系,2002-2008年7次洪峰时间段内最高温度的有效作用时间和12 h降水的有效影响时间等进行了分析与研究。结果表明：2002-2008年盛夏库玛拉克河流域高温融雪的主导作用比较明显,当流域内山区积雪量在5.5×108 m3以上、0 ℃层平均高度上升到4 500 m以上并且能维持4 d,库玛拉克河流域融雪型洪水的融雪量可达1.8×108~10.3×108 m3,夏季0 ℃层高度的变化可作为融雪型洪水预测的较好指标。2002-2008年这个历史时期实际积雪融化后产生的雪水当量9.88×108 t,全部融化后产生的最大可能雪水当量小于11.18×108 t;这个历史时期理论最大可能积雪融化后产生的雪水当量为17.55×108 t,全部融化后产生的雪水当量小于17.75×108 t。估算实际融化和理论融化的雪水当量,可为积雪融化后产生的最大洪水量估算提供数据支持。     

季节性冻土水热对融雪及气温的响应

近年来,随着气候变化,伊犁河谷积雪消融加快,极端水文事件的频度和强度也在加大。通过利用中国科学院天山积雪站附近小流域的土壤水热和积雪融雪观测数据,对研究区积雪消融规律、冻土水热变化特征及其对气温和融雪量的响应进行了分析。结果表明:在冻土融解阶段,土壤温度的变化依赖大气温度的变化,而土壤水分受融雪量和气温的影响较大,高度相关。表层土壤含水率的变幅最大,而深层土壤水分值较稳定,土壤水热的季节性变化自秋-冬-春大致呈现"下降-平稳-上升"的趋势。在冻土层上边界,土壤含水率随着累积融雪量的增加而增加并达到饱和值,而冻土层下边界(40 cm深度)土壤水分保持非饱和稳定状态。在山区,降雪量是水资源形成的主要来源。融雪量与大气温度的相关性显著(系数为0.785),融雪量对水资源形成的贡献率为40%左右。研究冻土水热对融雪和气温的响应过程,对于新疆水资源形成机理、转化利用以及洪水预报具有重要的参考价值。     

Estimate the influence of snow grain size and black carbon on albedo

Estimation of the influence of snow grain size and black carbon on albedo is essential in obtaining the accurate albedo. In this paper, field measurement data, including snow grain size, snow depth and...     

Evaluation of the SNOWPACK model’s metamorphism and microstructure in Canada: a case study

The snow thermodynamic multi-layer model SNOWPACK was developed to address the risk of avalanches by simulating the vertical properties of snow. Risk and stability assessments are based on the simulation of the vertical variability of snow microstructure, as well as on snow cohesion parameters. Previous research has shown systematic error in grain size simulations (equivalent optical grain size) over several areas in northern Canada. To quantify the simulated errors in snow grain size and uncertainties in stability, the snow specific surface area (SSA) was measured with a laser-based instrument. Optical grain size was retrieved to validate the optical equivalent grain radius from SNOWPACK. The two study plots are located in Glacier National Park, BC, and Jasper National Park, AB, Canada. Profiles for density and stratigraphic analysis were obtained as well as grain size profiles, combined with snow micropenetrometer (SMP) measurements. Density analysis showed good agreement with the simulated values (R² = 0.76). Optical grain size analysis showed systematic overestimation of the modeled values, in agreement with the current literature. The error in SSA evolution for a rounding environment was mostly constant, whereas error for conditions driven by a temperature gradient was linked to the size of the facetted grains.     

Physical properties and stratigraphy of surface snow in western Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica

Information about the spatial variations of snow properties and of annual accumulation on ice sheets is important if we are to understand the results obtained from ice cores, satellite remote sensing data and changes in climate patterns. The layer structure and spatial variations of physical properties of surface snow in western Dronning Maud Land were analysed during the austral summers 1999/2000, 2000/01 and 2003/04 in five different snow zones. The measurements were performed in shallow (1–2 m) snow pits along a transect extending 350 km from the seaward edge of the ice shelf to the polar plateau. These pits covered at least the last annual accumulation and ranged in elevation from near sea level to 2500 m a.s.l. The ع⁸O values and accumulation rates had a good linear correlation with the distance from the coast. The mean accumulation on the ice shelf was 312±28 mm water equivalent (w.e.); in the coastal region it was 215±43 mm w.e. and on the polar plateau it was 92±25 mm w.e. The mean annual conductivity and grain size values decreased exponentially with increasing distance from the ice edge, by 48%/100 km and 18%/100 km respectively. The mean grain size varied between 1.5 and 1.8 mm. Depth hoar layers were a common phenomenon, especially under thin ice crusts, and were associated with low dielectric constant values.     

Analysis of snow-vegetation interactions in the low Arctic-Subarctic transition zone (northeastern Canada)

Abstract

Recent studies have shown that northern vegetation has been growing in relation to a warming climate over the last four decades, especially across the transition zone between tundra and taiga. Shrub growth affects snow properties and the surface energy budget, which must be better studied to quantify shrub-snow-climate feedbacks. The objective of this research is to improve the characterization of the impact of shrubs on snow evolution, from its accumulation to its melt, using in-situ and satellite measurements. The research is presented for the Umiujaq site, Nunavik, representative of the low Arctic–Subarctic transition zone. Snow depth, measured along numerous transects spanning different land cover types is found to increase by a factor 2.5–3 between tundra and forest, while snow density decreases. This illustrates the trapping effect of vegetation well. Complementary, continuous snow depth measurements using weather stations from two sites (tundra with low shrubs and a small clearing with shrubs within the forest) show different site-dependent behaviors. Spatial analysis from high-resolution Pleiades images combined with Landsat (Normalized Difference Snow Index) and MODIS (Fractional Snow Cover) images suggest a slight delay in melt over open and dense forest areas compared to tundra and dense high shrubs.     

An analysis of winter temperature and dew point under the canopy of a common Sonoran Desert nurse and the implications for positive plant interactions

Many studies have focused on positive-plant interactions such as nurse plants, which provide a sheltered subcanopy environment that benefits the nursed species. Most of these studies have focused on plant distribution and association patterns, while the microclimatic benefits are often assumed. This study quantifies 5 a.m. subcanopy temperatures as well as dew points beneath a common nurse tree of the Sonoran Desert, Cercidium microphyllum (palo verde, Fabaceae). Data are collected over 35 days in the winter (January and February) at six locations (at the base of the trunk, midway to the canopy edge, canopy edge, all to the north and to the south of the base of the tree) under each of two trees, as well as a control in the open.It is warmer beneath the tree than in the open, but also, it is warmer in the interior than at the canopy edge, and warmer to the south. Furthermore, differences in temperature between the subcanopy and the open site are greater on colder nights, and less pronounced on warmer winter nights, possibly due to the effect of cloud cover which often results in warmer overnight lows. In addition, variation in 5 a.m. temperature is greatest at the canopy edge and open, and temperature varies less in the interior where temperatures are also warmer. Subcanopy cover was quantified using fish-eye imagery. Results show that there is a significant relationship between 5 a.m. temperature and overlying cover.Dew point temperatures, surprisingly, were lower under the tree than at the canopy edge and in the open. That is, it is relatively dry under the nurse. This pattern can similarly be seen by distance and direction from the base of the tree (drier in the south). This may have to do with the nurse's roots and other vegetation growing beneath the nurse's canopy that compete for water in the ground, which leaves less available water to evaporate into the subcanopy air.     

Plowing paradise: snow clearing and urban solar radiation absorption

Abstract

Urban heat islands result from human modification of land surfaces. Snow cover reduces heating due to its reflectivity; however, urban snow is quickly plowed, thus altering surface radiative properties. The goal of this study was to evaluate the extent to which municipal snow removal affects the magnitude of solar input associated with changes in the radiation balance. Incoming and reflected shortwave radiation, surface radiating temperature, air temperature, and snow depth were measured with portable devices at eight sites in Syracuse, New York. Sites were classified as cleared, undisturbed, or snow piles. Measurements were taken following fresh snowfall, and continuing until snow had melted. A HOBO weather station provided hourly baseline conditions. Longevity of snow varied across snow site types, with greater persistence when in piles and on open areas. Albedo was reduced and surface temperatures were higher over cleared areas. The difference between absorbed energy due to clearing was quantified using an albedo regression model for undisturbed sites and comparing these to average reflectivity of cleared surfaces. The magnitude difference over the study period ranged from 841 million to 1670 million MJ. Snow plowing is therefore a significant source of additional energy that enhances the winter urban heat island.     

MODIS Derived Equilibrium Line Altitude Estimates for Purogangri Ice Cap,Tibetan Plateau,and their Relation to Climatic Predictors (2001–2012)

The variation of the equilibrium line altitude can be used as an indicator for glacier mass balance variability. Snow lines at the end of the ablation period are suitable proxies for the annual equilibrium line altitude on glaciers. We investigate snow lines at Purogangri ice cap on the central Plateau in order to study the interannual variability of glacier mass balance. Datasets of the daily Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer snow product MOD10A1 were used to infer transient snow line variability during 2001–2012 and to derive regional‐scale, annual equilibrium line altitude. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer snow albedo embedded within the snow product was compared with high‐resolution Landsat imagery. An albedo threshold was established to differentiate between ice and snow and the 13th percentile of the altitudes of snow‐covered pixels was chosen to represent the snow line altitude. The second maximum of the snow line altitudes in the ablation period was taken as a proxy for the annual equilibrium line altitude. A linear correlation analysis was carried out (1) between interannual variability of the equilibrium line altitude at Purogangri ice cap and various climate elements derived from the High Asia Reanalysis, and (2) between interannual variability of the equilibrium line altitude and the circulation indices North Atlantic Oscillation and Indian Summer Monsoon. Results suggest that air temperature and meridional wind speed above ground in July, as well as the lower tropospheric zonal wind in June and August play a crucial role in the development of the annual equilibrium line altitude.     

Quantitative estimation of the influence factors on snow/ice albedo

Quantitative estimation of the influence of various factors,such as black carbon,snow grain,dust content,and water con tent on albedo is essential in obtaining an accurate albedo.In this paper,field measurement data,including snow grain size,density,liquid water content,and snow depth was obtained.Black carbon and dust samples were collected from the snow surface.A simultaneous observation using ASD(Analytical Spectral Devices)spectral data was employed in the Qiyi glacier located on Qilian Mountain.The measurements were compared with results obtained from the Snow,Ice,and Aerosol Radiation(SNICAR)model.Additionally,a HYbrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory(HYSPLIT)air mass backward trajectory model was used to track the source of black carbon.The simulation was found to correlate well with observed data.Liquid water content was the most influential factor of albedo among the several influencing fac tors,followed by black carbon content and snow grain size.Finally,snow density change had the least toward albedo.HYSPLIT atmospheric trajectories model can only approximately show the source of black carbon and not clearly indicate the source region of black carbon.