Modelling light-absorbing particle–snow–radiation interactions and impacts on snow albedo: fundamentals, recent advances and future directions

Abstract

Environmental context Snow albedo plays an important role in the Earth environment. Light-absorbing particles (LAPs) can significantly impact snow albedo through complex interactions and feedbacks over the global cryosphere. This study provides a unique review of the fundamentals, recent advances, challenges and future research directions in modelling LAP–snow–radiation interactions and impacts on snow albedo. Abstract Snow albedo plays a critical role in the Earth system through a strong positive climate feedback, modulating surface energy and water balance. Light-absorbing particles (LAPs), including black carbon, mineral dust, brown carbon, volcanic ash and snow algae, have been found to substantially reduce snow albedo and accelerate snow/ice melting across the global cryosphere. In the past decades, substantial observational and modelling efforts have been made to advance the understanding and quantification of LAP–snow–radiation interactions and impacts on snow albedo and hydro-climate, with important uncertainties still remaining. Here we provide a unique review of the fundamentals and recent scientific advances in modelling LAP–snow–radiation interactions from microscopic (particle level) to macroscopic (bulk snow optical properties and albedo) perspectives. We also discuss the current challenges and potential research directions on this topic to shed light on future studies.