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Three examples where the specific surface area of snow increased over time
1Laboratoire de Glaciologie et Géophysique de l' Environnement, CNRS et Université Joseph Fourier, BP 96, 38402 Saint-Martin d'Hères Cedex, France
2US Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, P.O. Box 35170, Fort Wainwright, Alaska 99703–0170, USA
Abstract. Snow on the ground impacts climate through its high albedo and affects atmospheric composition through its ability to adsorb chemical compounds. The quantification of these effects requires the knowledge of the specific surface area (SSA) of snow and its rate of change. All relevant studies indicate that snow SSA decreases over time. Here, we report for the first time three cases where the SSA of snow increased over time. These are (1) the transformation of a melt-freeze crust into depth hoar, producing an increase in SSA from 3.4 to 8.8 m2 kg−1. (2) The mobilization of surface snow by wind, which reduced the size of snow crystals by sublimation and fragmented them. This formed a surface snow layer with a SSA of 61 m2 kg−1 from layers whose SSAs were originally 42 and 50 m2 kg−1. (3) The sieving of blowing snow by a snow layer, which allowed the smallest crystals to penetrate into open spaces in the snow, leading to an SSA increase from 32 to 61 m2 kg−1. We discuss that other mechanisms for SSA increase are possible. Overall, SSA increases are probably not rare. They may lead to enhanced uptake of chemical compounds and to increases in snow albedo, and thus should be included in relevant chemical and climate models.
Discussion Paper (PDF, 2331 KB) Interactive Discussion (Open, 1 Comments)
Citation: Domine, F., Taillandier, A.-S., Cabanes, A., Douglas, T. A., and Sturm, M.: Three examples where the specific surface area of snow increased over time, The Cryosphere Discuss., 2, 649-672, 2008. Bibtex EndNote Reference Manager
