Monitoring snow water equivalent by using natural soil radioactivity

Bissell, Vernon C.; Peck, Eugene L.

doi:10.1029/wr009i004p00885

Cited by 18 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…Care must be taken in evaluating SWE from natural soil emissions where soil moisture changes over the winter or spring as gamma emissions from soil are influenced by soil moisture content. The gamma radiation particles are often highly attenuated by the snow, thereby limiting the snow depth and SWE that can be determined by this measurement technique [ Bissell and Peck , ]. Passive radioactivity gauges can also be used for measuring SWE from aircraft.…”

Section: Instrumentation and Techniquesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Measurement of the physical properties of the snowpack

Kinar

Pomeroy

2015

Reviews of Geophysics

196

202

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This paper reviews measurement techniques and corresponding devices used to determine the physical properties of the seasonal snowpack from distances close to the ground surface. The review is placed in the context of the need for scientific observations of snowpack variables that provide inputs for predictive hydrological models that help to advance scientific understanding of geophysical processes related to snow in the near-surface cryosphere. Many of these devices used to measure snow are invasive and require the snowpack to be disrupted, thereby precluding the possibility for multiple measurements to be made at the same sampling location. Moreover, many devices rely on the use of empirical calibration equations that may not be valid at all geographic locations. The spatial density of observations with most snow measurement devices is often inadequate. There is a need for improved automation of snowpack measurement instrumentation with an emphasis on field-based feedback of measurement validity in lieu of postprocessing of samples or data at a lab or office location. The scientific future of snow measurement instrumentation thereby requires a synthesis between science and engineering principles that takes into consideration geophysics and the physics of device operation.

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Section: Instrumentation and Techniquesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Measurement of the physical properties of the snowpack

Kinar

Pomeroy

2015

Reviews of Geophysics

196

202

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“…Foot penetration is sensitive to the weight of the observer. Surface penetrability (portable, manual, invasive) Gamma ray sensor A gamma sensor is constituted by a passive detector installed above the snow surface that measures the natural background radiation emitted by the soil and attenuated by the snowpack above it [ 82 ]. The attenuation of the gamma radiation is calculated with respect to the measurements done during the snow-free season, and an empirical equation is used to relate it to SWE [ 15 ].…”

Section: Table A1mentioning

confidence: 99%

European In-Situ Snow Measurements: Practices and Purposes

Pirazzini

Leppänen

Picard

et al. 2018

Sensors

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In-situ snow measurements conducted by European institutions for operational, research, and energy business applications were surveyed in the framework of the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action ES1404, called “A European network for a harmonised monitoring of snow for the benefit of climate change scenarios, hydrology, and numerical weather prediction”. Here we present the results of this survey, which was answered by 125 participants from 99 operational and research institutions, belonging to 38 European countries. The typologies of environments where the snow measurements are performed range from mountain to low elevated plains, including forests, bogs, tundra, urban areas, glaciers, lake ice, and sea ice. Of the respondents, 93% measure snow macrophysical parameters, such as snow presence, snow depth (HS), snow water equivalent (SWE), and snow density. These describe the bulk characteristics of the whole snowpack or of a snow layer, and they are the primary snow properties that are needed for most operational applications (such as hydrological monitoring, avalanche forecast, and weather forecast). In most cases, these measurements are done with manual methods, although for snow presence, HS, and SWE, automatized methods are also applied by some respondents. Parameters characterizing precipitating and suspended snow (such as the height of new snow, precipitation intensity, flux of drifting/blowing snow, and particle size distribution), some of which are crucial for the operational services, are measured by 74% of the respondents. Parameters characterizing the snow microstructural properties (such as the snow grain size and shape, and specific surface area), the snow electromagnetic properties (such as albedo, brightness temperature, and backscatter), and the snow composition (such as impurities and isotopes) are measured by 41%, 26%, and 13% of the respondents, respectively, mostly for research applications. The results of this survey are discussed from the perspective of the need of enhancing the efficiency and coverage of the in-situ observational network applying automatic and cheap measurement methods. Moreover, recommendations for the enhancement and harmonization of the observational network and measurement practices are provided.

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“…Isotopic measurements of point water equivalent for snow of shallow to moderate depths use a single detec tor with either natural soil radiation [Bissell and Peck, 1973] or a single artificial source [Department of the Army, 1955]. Owing to reduced signal strength with increased water equivalent, the most promising con figurations for deeper snow consist of multiple sources and detectors, such as the 'zig-zag' gages shown in Figure 1 [Shreve and Brown, 1974].…”

Section: Collection and Processing Of Snow Survey Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

Snow accumulation, distribution, melt, and runoff

Anderson

Colbeck²,

Slaughter

et al. 1979

EoS Transactions

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During recent winters the news media frequently reported very large snowfalls in the midwestern and northeastern states coincident with greatly reduced snowfalls in the Rocky Mountain and western states. The dangers of large snowmelt floods and restricted transportation in the Midwest and Northeast and the water management problems arising from the extended drought in the West brought national attention to the economic importance of the seasonal snow cover. Although we cannot eliminate the immediate problems of heavy snowfalls in areas such as Buffalo, New York, or water shortages in California, as snow hydrologists we should reconsider our research objectives in view of these serious national problems. In this article we outline our ideas about the current status and needs in snow hydrology in order to provide some guidance for the multitude of national and local organizations that are affected by these problems.

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Monitoring snow water equivalent by using natural soil radioactivity

Cited by 18 publications

References 2 publications

Measurement of the physical properties of the snowpack

Measurement of the physical properties of the snowpack

European In-Situ Snow Measurements: Practices and Purposes

Snow accumulation, distribution, melt, and runoff

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