Spatial Distribution of the Input of Insoluble Particles Into the Surface of the Qaanaaq Glacier, Northwestern Greenland

Sumito Matoba,Ryo Hazuki,Yutaka Kurosaki,Teruo Aoki

doi:10.3389/feart.2020.542557

Abstract

From glaciological observations, we found spatial variation in the input of insoluble particles (ISP) on a glacier surface from atmospheric deposition and outcropping at the surface of the glacier by surface ablation at the ablation area of the Qaanaaq Ice Cap in northwestern Greenland. Possible sources of ISP input to the glacier surface were outcropping at the surface of the glacier by ablation at intermediate and low elevations, and from atmospheric deposition at high elevations. The annual atmospheric deposition of ISP was larger at high elevations than at intermediate and low elevations. The annual abundance of outcropping ISP was larger at intermediate elevations than at low elevations, where the annual ablation rate of the glacier surface was 1.5 times larger than at intermediate elevations. The ISP concentration in the glacier ice at intermediate sites was approximately 10 times larger than at low sites. The water stable isotopes of glacier ice at intermediate sites indicated that glacier ice at the intermediate sites did not form since the last glacial maximum, possibly the Holocene Thermal Maximum. Therefore, the accumulation of the ISP, which is outcropping at the intermediate site, occurred at high elevations after Holocene Thermal Maximum.

Highlights

IntroductionIce loss from the Greenland Ice Sheet ( referred to as ice sheet) and local glaciers and ice caps surrounding Greenland ( referred to as glaciers) is one of the largest contributors to the current global sea level rise (Meier et al, 2007; Rignot et al, 2011). Bolch et al (2013) estimated that the mass loss of glaciers from 2003 to 2008 is responsible for 10% of the global sea level rise
Ice loss from the Greenland Ice Sheet and local glaciers and ice caps surrounding Greenland is one of the largest contributors to the current global sea level rise (Meier et al, 2007; Rignot et al, 2011). Bolch et al (2013) estimated that the mass loss of glaciers from 2003 to 2008 is responsible for 10% of the global sea level rise
Glaciers are sensitive to recent climate change because they are at relatively low elevations (Hanna et al, 2012)

Summary

Introduction

Ice loss from the Greenland Ice Sheet ( referred to as ice sheet) and local glaciers and ice caps surrounding Greenland ( referred to as glaciers) is one of the largest contributors to the current global sea level rise (Meier et al, 2007; Rignot et al, 2011). Bolch et al (2013) estimated that the mass loss of glaciers from 2003 to 2008 is responsible for 10% of the global sea level rise. Bolch et al (2013) estimated that the mass loss of glaciers from 2003 to 2008 is responsible for 10% of the global sea level rise. The mass loss of an ice sheet and glaciers is driven mainly by rising air temperature and a reduction in surface albedo (Box et al, 2012). As the albedo of the ice surface decreases, the absorption of solar radiation at the glacier surface increases, and surface melting is enhanced. The albedo of the surface of glaciers and ice sheets is controlled by snow grain size and the concentration of light-absorbing impurities in snow ( referred to as LAI), such as mineral dust, black carbon, and organic compounds. Snow grain size has increased via accelerated snow metamorphism under recent warm conditions, and coarse snow grains reduce the albedo in the near-

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