Abstract
High Latitude Dust (HLD) deposition in the surface snow layer in two distant locations in Svalbard (Hornsund and Pyramiden) were collected during the June/July 2019 field campaign and examined in the laboratory. Despite the differences in their climate and topography, both locations are characterised by very similar spatial patterns of the deposition. On the one hand, strong linear negative relationship between the altitude of the sample taken and its concentration was found in low altitude (below 300 m a.s.l.), suggesting a strong influence of local HLD sources. On the other hand, almost constant concentrations were found at higher elevated sampling sites (above 300 m a.s.l.). This suggests a predominantly long-range transport in high altitude areas. The importance of local sources in the lower altitude corresponds well with the generally higher concentrations of HLD in the Pyramiden area. This region has a drier, continental climate and more deglaciated bare land surfaces, which favour more sediment to be uplifted in comparison with the more maritime climate of Hornsund area in the southern part of Svalbard. The spatial division between the local and long-range transport is supported by the proportion of certain lithophile elements in the altitude gradient.
Highlights
The importance of High Latitude Dust (HLD) sources within the world climate system was recognised recently
The complex terrain of Svalbard has been identified as an important HLD source for the Arctic apart from the well-known volcanic emissions from Iceland (e.g., [6,7,8])
This study aims to describe the altitude pattern of HLD deposition in the snow in two regions of Svalbard (Figure 1A) with different topoclimatic conditions
Summary
The importance of High Latitude Dust (HLD) sources within the world climate system was recognised recently. The importance of the HLD source areas is growing due to the deglaciation of vast areas filled with available glaciofluvial material. Another consequence of ongoing climate warming is the prolongation of the snow-free season [2,3] and the consequent drying of the bare surface, especially at the end of the summer season. There is growing evidence that the long-range transport of mineral particles is reaching remote areas of the High Arctic, such as Svalbard (e.g., [5]).
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