Characteristics of Atmospheric Dust Deposition in Snow on Glacier No. 72, Mount Tuomuer, China

Dong, Zhiwen; Li, Zhongqin

doi:10.1657/1938-4246-43.4.517

Cited by 15 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…8, revealed no systematic coarse particle mode. All four distributions derived from samples containing dust have a single mode which is usually interpreted as a single source region (Dong and Li, 2011). However, during the dust deposition event of 5 May 2009, dust was transported from two different source regions, the northern Sahara and northern Mesopotamia (Shahgedanova et al, 2013;Sects.…”

Section: Particle Size Distributionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High-resolution provenance of desert dust deposited on Mt. Elbrus, Caucasus in 2009–2012 using snow pit and firn core records

et al. 2013

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Abstract. The first record of dust deposition events on Mt. Elbrus, Caucasus Mountains derived from a snow pit and a shallow firn core is presented for the 2009-2012 period. A combination of isotopic analysis, SEVIRI red-greenblue composite imagery, MODIS atmospheric optical depth fields derived using the Deep Blue algorithm, air mass trajectories derived using the HYSPLIT model and analyses of meteorological data enabled identification of dust source regions with high temporal (hours) and spatial (ca. 20-100 km) resolution. Seventeen dust deposition events were detected; fourteen occurred in March-June, one in February and two in October. Four events originated in the Sahara, predominantly in northeastern Libya and eastern Algeria. Thirteen events originated in the Middle East, in the Syrian Desert and northern Mesopotamia, from a mixture of natural and anthropogenic sources. Dust transportation from Sahara was associated with vigorous Saharan depressions, strong surface winds in the source region and mid-tropospheric southwesterly flow with daily winds speeds of 20-30 m s −1 at 700 hPa level. Although these events were less frequent than those originating in the Middle East, they resulted in higher dust concentrations in snow. Dust transportation from the Middle East was associated with weaker depressions forming over the source region, high pressure centred over or extending towards the Caspian Sea and a weaker southerly or southeasterly flow towards the Caucasus Mountains with daily wind speeds of 12-18 m s −1 at 700 hPa level. Higher concentrations of nitrates and ammonium characterised dust from the Middle East deposited on Mt. Elbrus in 2009 indicating contribution of anthropogenic sources. The modal values of particle size distributions ranged between 1.98 µm and 4.16 µm. Most samples were characterised by modal values of 2.0-2.8 µm with an average of 2.6 µm and there was no significant difference between dust from the Sahara and the Middle East.

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Section: Particle Size Distributionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High-resolution provenance of desert dust deposited on Mt. Elbrus, Caucasus in 2009–2012 using snow pit and firn core records

et al. 2013

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“…Moreover, in addition to the Nd-Sr isotopic composition, the size distribution of dust particles is believed to be a key factor in understanding the LRT Asian dust change [Maring et al, 2003;Dong and Li, 2011;Dong et al, 2014;Kleinman et al, 2009]. As a result of the large amount and scales of cryoconite deposition on the glacier surfaces, the size distribution of cryoconite particles could also indicate the source and transport conditions of eolian dust over the Tibetan Plateau.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Provenance of cryoconite deposited on the glaciers of the Tibetan Plateau: New insights from Nd‐Sr isotopic composition and size distribution

et al. 2016

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This study presents the Nd‐Sr isotopic compositions and size distributions of cryoconite deposited on the glaciers at different locations on the Tibetan Plateau, in order to trace its source areas and the provenance of long‐range transported (LRT) Asian dust on the Tibetan Plateau. The result of scanning electron microscope‐energy dispersive X‐ray spectrometer analysis indicated that mineral dust particles were dominant in the cryoconite. Most of the cryoconite samples from the Tibetan Plateau indicated different Sr and Nd isotopic composition compared with sand from large deserts (e.g., the Taklimakan and Qaidam deserts). Some cryoconite samples showed very similar Nd‐Sr isotopic ratios compared with those of nearby glacier basins (e.g., at Laohugou Glacier No.12, Dongkemadi Glacier, and Shiyi Glacier), indicating the potential input of local crustal dust to cryoconite. The volume‐size distribution for the cryoconite particles also indicated bimodal distribution graphs with volume median diameters ranging from 0.57 to 20 µm and from 20 to 100 µm, demonstrating the contribution of both LRT Asian dust and local dust inputs to cryoconite. Based on the particle size distribution, we calculated a mean number ratio of local dust contribution to cryoconite ranging from 0.7% (Baishui Glacier No.1) to 17.6% (Shiyi Glacier) on the Tibetan Plateau. In general, the marked difference in the Nd‐Sr isotopic ratios of cryoconite compared with those of large deserts probably indicates that materials from the western deserts have not been easily transported to the hinterland of Tibetan Plateau by the Westerlies under the current climatic conditions, and the arid deserts on the Tibetan Plateau are the most likely sources for cryoconite deposition. The resistance of the Tibetan Plateau to the Westerlies may have caused such phenomena, especially for LRT eolian dust transported over the Tibetan Plateau. Thus, this work is of great importance in understanding the large‐scale eolian dust transport and climate over the Tibetan Plateau.

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Light‐absorbing impurities enhance glacier albedo reduction in the southeastern Tibetan plateau

et al. 2017

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Light‐absorbing impurities (LAIs) in snow of the southeastern Tibetan Plateau (TP) and their climatic impacts are of interest not only because this region borders areas affected by the South Asian atmospheric brown clouds but also because the seasonal snow and glacier melt from this region form important headwaters of large rivers. In this study, we collected surface snow and snowpit samples from four glaciers in the southeastern TP in June 2015 to investigate the comprehensive observational data set of LAIs. Results showed that the LAI concentrations were much higher in the aged snow and granular ice than in the fresh snow and snowpits due to postdepositional processes. Impurity concentrations fluctuated across snowpits, with maximum LAI concentrations frequently occurring toward the bottom of snowpits. Based on the SNow ICe Aerosol Radiative model, the albedo simulation indicated that black carbon and dust account for approximately 20% of the albedo reduction relative to clean snow. The radiative forcing caused by black carbon and dust deposition on the glaciers were between 1.0–141 W m−2 and 1.5–120 W m−2, respectively. Black carbon (BC) played a larger role in albedo reduction and radiative forcing than dust in the study area, enhancing approximately 15% of glacier melt. Analysis based on the Fire INventory from NCAR indicated that nonbiomass‐burning sources of BC played an important role in the total BC deposition, especially during the monsoon season. This study suggests that eliminating anthropogenic BC could mitigate glacier melt in the future of the southeastern TP.

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Characteristics of Atmospheric Dust Deposition in Snow on Glacier No. 72, Mount Tuomuer, China

Cited by 15 publications

References 42 publications

High-resolution provenance of desert dust deposited on Mt. Elbrus, Caucasus in 2009–2012 using snow pit and firn core records

High-resolution provenance of desert dust deposited on Mt. Elbrus, Caucasus in 2009–2012 using snow pit and firn core records

Provenance of cryoconite deposited on the glaciers of the Tibetan Plateau: New insights from Nd‐Sr isotopic composition and size distribution

Light‐absorbing impurities enhance glacier albedo reduction in the southeastern Tibetan plateau

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