The mass and energy balance of ice within the Eisriesenwelt cave, Austria

Abstract

Abstract. Meteorological measurements were performed in a prominent ice cave (Eisriesenwelt, Austria) during a full annual cycle. The data show the basic features of a dynamically ventilated cave system with a well distinguished winter and summer regime.The calculated energy balance of the cave ice is largely determined by the input of long-wave radiation originating at the host rock surface. On average the turbulent fluxes withdraw energy from the surface. This is more pronounced during winter due to enhanced circulation and lower humidity. During summer the driving gradients reverse sign and the associated fluxes provide energy for melt.About 4 cm of ice were lost at the measurement site during a reference year. This was due to some sublimation during winter, while the major loss resulted from melt during summer. Small amounts of accumulation occurred during spring due to refreezing of seepage water.These results are largely based on employing a numerical mass and energy balance model. Sensitivity studies prove reliability of the calculated energy balance regarding diverse measurement uncertainties and show that the annual mass balance of the ice strongly depends on cave air temperature during summer and the availability of seepage water in spring.

Linkage of cave-ice changes to weather patterns inside and outside the cave Eisriesenwelt (Tennengebirge, Austria)

“…1). In our study we rely on the results of Obleitner and Spötl (2011) and introduce only a basic concept of the energy and mass balance at ice surface in order to enable the interpretation of our ice surface changes with respect to the underlying energy fluxes and air circulation between inside and outside the cave. For a given location e.g.…”

“…The specific mass balance b at surface is linked to the energy balance at the ice surface (see e.g. Luetscher et al, 2005;Obleitner and Spötl, 2011) via the terms of sublimation/deposition, freezing of seepage water and surface melting:…”

“…Detailed measurements of the energy fluxes in the ice as well as between the cave atmosphere and the ice surface including a modeling approach for Eisriesenwelt cave were done by Obleitner and Spötl (2011) for the site Eispalast (see Fig. 1).…”

“…-geometrical characterization of the ice body at the coring location by GPR survey (see Behm and Hausmann, 2007;Hausmann and Behm, 2011) -coring and stable-isotope measurements of ice samples (May et al, 2011) -mass and energy balance of ice body at the coring site (Obleitner and Spötl, 2011) Fig. 1.…”

Alpine permafrost thawing during the Medieval Warm Period identified from cryogenic cave carbonates

“…In any case, we argue that this process is likely to affect the entire karst system and thus may also be representative of Leclanché Cave in which the temperature remains largely controlled by conductive heat exchanges with the surrounding environment (cf. Luetscher et al, 2008 or Obleitner andSpötl, 2011 for quantitative energy balances in ice caves). Still, well-developed conduits may drain substantial amounts of melt water in summer and thus locally transfer heat to the host rock.…”