Evolution of the Svalbard annual snow layer during the melting phase

Spolaor, Andrea; Barbaro, Elena; Christille, Jean Marc; Kirchgeorg, Torben; Giardi, Fabio; Cappelletti, David; Turetta, Clara; Bernagozzi, A.; Björkman, Mats; Bertolini, E.; Barbante, Carlo

doi:10.1007/s12210-015-0500-8

Cited by 15 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…The raw signal value ranged between 0 in absence of liquid water to 680 when fully immersed in 220 melted snow of the sampling site. A more detailed description of the station set up can be found in Spolaor et al (2016b).…”

Section: Temperature and Liquid Water Contentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dynamics of ionic species in Svalbard annual snow: the effects of rain event and melting

Barbaro

Varin

Pedeli

et al. 2019

Preprint

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Abstract. The Arctic and middle latitude (such as the Alps) ice core archives, except for the Greenland summit, are strongly influenced by melting processes, able to modify the original chemical signal of the annual snowfall. In the last decades, the increase of the average Arctic temperature has caused and enhanced surface snow melting in the higher ice cap, especially in the Svalbard Archipelago. The increase of the frequency and altitude of winter “rain on snow” events as well as the increase of the length of the melting season has a direct impact on the chemical composition of the seasonal and permanent snow layers due to different migration processes of water-soluble compounds, such as ionic species. The re-allocation along the snowpack of ionic species could significantly modify the original chemical signal present in the annual snow, making comprehensive interpretation of climate records difficult. The chemical composition of the first 100 cm of the seasonal snow at Austre Brøggerbreen Glacier (Spitsbergen, Svalbard Islands, Norway) was monitored daily from the 27th of March until to the 31st of May 2015. The experiment period covers almost the entire Arctic spring until the melting season. During the experiment, a rain event occurred on the 16th to 17th of April while from the 15th of May the snowpack reached an isothermal profile. The presented dataset is unique and helps to better understand the behaviour of cations (K+, Ca2+, Na+, Mg2+), anions (Br−, I−, SO42−, NO3−, Cl−, MSA) and two carboxylic acids (C2-glycolic and C5-glutaric acids) in the snowpack during this melting period. The results obtained from the experiment give us an overview of how the chemicals are remobilized in the snowpack during a rain event or due to the melting at the end of the spring season. The aim of this paper is to give a picture of the evolution of the seasonal snow strata with the aim to better understand the processes that can influence the chemical distribution in the annual snow. The results of the present work are unique and helpful for future analyses and interpretation of ice core paleoclimatic archives.

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Section: Temperature and Liquid Water Contentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dynamics of ionic species in Svalbard annual snow: the effects of rain event and melting

Barbaro

Varin

Pedeli

et al. 2019

Preprint

Self Cite

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“…Similar to mercury, iodine can undergo photochemical activation in surface snow resulting in its presence in the surrounding atmosphere (Frieß et al, 2010;Spolaor et al, 2014). Several studies aimed at understanding the behaviour of iodine in the Arctic region from a paleo-perspective using ice core archives (Cuevas et al, 2018;Spolaor et al, 2016b), and field (atmospheric and snow) experiments (Frieß et al, 2010;Gilfedder et al, 2007). The role of iodine in new particle formation as well in ozone destruction is currently under investigation (Allan et al, 2015;Sipilä et al, 2016) since it could have a direct effect on the radiative budget of polar areas.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diurnal cycle of iodine, bromine, and mercury concentrations in Svalbard surface snow

Spolaor¹,

Barbaro²,

Cappelletti

et al. 2019

Atmos. Chem. Phys.

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Abstract. Sunlit snow is highly photochemically active and plays a key role in the exchange of gas phase species between the cryosphere and the atmosphere. Here, we investigate the behaviour of two selected species in surface snow: mercury (Hg) and iodine (I). Hg can deposit year-round and accumulate in the snowpack. However, photo-induced re-emission of gas phase Hg from the surface has been widely reported. Iodine is active in atmospheric new particle formation, especially in the marine boundary layer, and in the destruction of atmospheric ozone. It can also undergo photochemical re-emission. Although previous studies indicate possible post-depositional processes, little is known about the diurnal behaviour of these two species and their interaction in surface snow. The mechanisms are still poorly constrained, and no field experiments have been performed in different seasons to investigate the magnitude of re-emission processes Three sampling campaigns conducted at an hourly resolution for 3 d each were carried out near Ny-Ålesund (Svalbard) to study the behaviour of mercury and iodine in surface snow under different sunlight and environmental conditions (24 h darkness, 24 h sunlight and day–night cycles). Our results indicate a different behaviour of mercury and iodine in surface snow during the different campaigns. The day–night experiments demonstrate the existence of a diurnal cycle in surface snow for Hg and iodine, indicating that these species are indeed influenced by the daily solar radiation cycle. Differently, bromine did not show any diurnal cycle. The diurnal cycle also disappeared for Hg and iodine during the 24 h sunlight period and during 24 h darkness experiments supporting the idea of the occurrence (absence) of a continuous recycling or exchange at the snow–air interface. These results demonstrate that this surface snow recycling is seasonally dependent, through sunlight. They also highlight the non-negligible role that snowpack emissions have on ambient air concentrations and potentially on iodine-induced atmospheric nucleation processes.

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“…(Karner et al, 2013;Kohler and Aanes, 2004;Kohler et al, 2007;Westermann et al, 2011). The annual snow layer is an extremely dynamic portion of the cryosphere, and can be defined as the snow accumulated and present on the ground during the whole year (Spolaor et al, 2016a). The characteristics of the annual snow strata are strongly dependent on climate conditions and may influence food access for animals that rely on food sources below the snow (Kohler and Aanes, 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diurnal cycle of iodine and mercury concentrations in Svalbard surface snow

Spolaor¹,

Barbaro²,

Cappelletti³

et al. 2019

Preprint

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

<p><strong>Abstract.</strong> Sunlit snow is highly photochemically active and plays an important role in the exchange of gas-phase species between the cryosphere to the atmosphere. Here, we investigate the behaviour of two selected species in surface snow: mercury (Hg) and iodine (I). Hg can deposit year-round and accumulate in the snowpack. However, photo-induced re-emission of gas phase Hg from the surface has been widely reported. Iodine is active in atmosphere new particle formation, especially in the marine boundary layer, and in the destruction of atmospheric ozone. It can also undergo photochemical re-emission. Although previous studies indicate possible post-depositional processes, little is known about the diurnal behaviour of these two species and their interaction in surface snow. The mechanisms are still poorly constrained and no field experiments have been performed in different seasons to investigate the magnitude of re-emission processes. Three high temporal resolution (hourly samples) 3 days long sampling campaign were carried out near Ny-&#197;lesund (Svalbard) to study the behaviour of mercury and iodine in surface snow under different sunlight and environmental conditions (24&#8201;h-darkness, 24&#8201;h-sunlight and day/night cycles). Our results indicate a clearly different behaviour of Hg and I in surface snow during the different campaign. The day/night experiments demonstrate the existence of a diurnal cycle in surface snow for Hg and iodine, indicating that these species are indeed influenced by the daily solar radiation cycle. Differently bromine did not show any diurnal cycle. The diurnal cycle disappeared also for Hg and iodine during the 24&#8201;h-sunlight period and during 24&#8201;h-darkness experiments supporting the idea of the occurrence (absence) of a continuous recycling/exchange at the snow-air interface. These results demonstrate that this surface snow recycling is seasonally dependent, through sunlight. They also highlight the non-negligible role that snowpack emissions have on ambient air concentrations and potentially on iodine-induced atmospheric nucleation processes.</p>

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Evolution of the Svalbard annual snow layer during the melting phase

Cited by 15 publications

References 14 publications

Dynamics of ionic species in Svalbard annual snow: the effects of rain event and melting

Dynamics of ionic species in Svalbard annual snow: the effects of rain event and melting

Diurnal cycle of iodine, bromine, and mercury concentrations in Svalbard surface snow

Diurnal cycle of iodine and mercury concentrations in Svalbard surface snow

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