Spatial-Temporal Variation of Snow Black Carbon Concentration in Snow Cover in Northeast China from 2001 to 2016 Based on Remote Sensing

Yanjiao Zheng,Wenliang Li,Lijuan Zhang,Xinyue Zhong,Fan Zhang

doi:10.3390/su14020959

Yanjiao Zheng, Wenliang Li + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/su14020959

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Abstract

The amount of black carbon (BC) on snow surface can significantly reduce snow surface albedo in the visible-light range and change the surface radiative forcing effect. Therefore, it is key to study regional and global climate changes to understand the BC concentration on snow. In this study, we simulated the BC concentration on the surface snow of northeast China using an asymptotic radiative transfer model. From 2001 to 2016, the BC concentration showed no significant increase, with an average increase of 82.104 ng/g compared with that in the early 21st century. The concentration of BC in December was the largest (1344.588 ng/g) and decreased in January and February (1248.619 ng/g and 983.635 ng/g, respectively). The high black carbon content centers were concentrated in the eastern and central regions with dense populations and concentrated industries, with a concentration above 1200 ng/g, while the BC concentration in the southwest region with less human activities was the lowest (below 850 ng/g), which indicates that human activities played an important role in snow BC pollution. Notably, Heilongjiang province has the highest concentration, which may be related to its atmospheric stability in winter. These findings suggest that the BC pollution in northeast China has been aggravated from 2001 to 2016. It is estimated that the snow surface albedo will decrease by 16.448% due to the BC pollution of snow in northeast China. The problem of radiative forcing caused by black carbon to snow reflectivity cannot be ignored.

Highlights

Introduction published maps and institutional affilSnow cover is widely distributed on land surfaces, with a high albedo, strong radiation, and high insulation, which directly affects the land surface temperature, air temperature, surface albedo, soil moisture, and affects the radiation balance of the earth-atmosphere system
When black carbon (BC) aerosols deposit into the surface snow through dry and wet deposition, even a trace of BC will greatly reduce the albedo of the snow surface, thereby increasing the absorption of solar radiation on the snow surface [3]
This study used the asymptotic radiative transfer (ART) model combined with remote-sensing data to simulate the BC concentration on snow cover in northeast China

Summary

Introduction

Snow cover is widely distributed on land surfaces, with a high albedo, strong radiation, and high insulation, which directly affects the land surface temperature, air temperature, surface albedo, soil moisture, and affects the radiation balance of the earth-atmosphere system. The surface albedo of pure fresh snow is very high, generally between 60% and 95% [2]. When black carbon (BC) aerosols deposit into the surface snow through dry and wet deposition, even a trace of BC will greatly reduce the albedo of the snow surface, thereby increasing the absorption of solar radiation on the snow surface [3]. The fifth report of the IPCC indicates that the global average surface temperature has increased by approximately

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