High-latitude Albedo Research Articles

Analysis of the planetary thermal distribution with a simple three-zone maximum-flux model

The large uncertainties in the forecasting of future global climatic conditions endorse the need of developing simple yet credible predicting tools. Here we propose a three-zone steady-state radiative model that maximizes latitudinal heat fluxes and considers the potential effect of the Earth's declination. The model is formulated as a set of five equations and six unknowns (zonal temperatures and widths, and the latitudinal heat transport) that requires specifying the reflected (albedo) and back-to-Earth (greenhouse) radiation fractions and obliges turning the low-latitude temperature into an additional parameter. The results do depend on the Earth declination, with changes of 0.5/1.5 K in the intermediate/high zones, which is interpreted as potentially affecting the greenhouse and high-latitude albedo coefficients. Therefore, we focus on identifying the effects of changes in these parameters – properly selected to represent last-glacial-maximum, modern and end-of the-century conditions. The main change is a large rise of the high-latitude temperature, favored both by a decrease in the high-latitude albedo and an increase in the greenhouse factor. For the other variables, the temporal changes in albedo and greenhouse gases compete among them, resulting in one trend from glacial to modern times and a reversal between preindustrial times and the end of the 21st century (currently a warming-narrowing of the intermediate region and the widening of both the low- and high-latitude zones); however, we note that an increase in the low-latitude temperature would tend to alleviate these changes. Despite its simplicity, the model leads to realistic global trends, becoming a useful simple tool for exploring the sensitivity of the Earth's heat distribution to changes in radiative fluxes and endorsing the validity of the maximum latitudinal-heat-transport premise.

Tilt error in cryospheric surface radiation measurements at high latitudes: a model study

Abstract. We have evaluated the magnitude and makeup of error in cryospheric radiation observations due to small sensor misalignment in in situ measurements of solar irradiance. This error is examined through simulation of diffuse and direct irradiance arriving at a detector with a cosine-response fore optic. Emphasis is placed on assessing total error over the solar shortwave spectrum from 250 to 4500 nm, as well as supporting investigation over other relevant shortwave spectral ranges. The total measurement error introduced by sensor tilt is dominated by the direct component. For a typical high-latitude albedo measurement with a solar zenith angle of 60°, a sensor tilted by 1, 3, and 5° can, respectively introduce up to 2.7, 8.1, and 13.5 % error into the measured irradiance and similar errors in the derived albedo. Depending on the daily range of solar azimuth and zenith angles, significant measurement error can persist also in integrated daily irradiance and albedo. Simulations including a cloud layer demonstrate decreasing tilt error with increasing cloud optical depth.

Vegetation controls on northern high latitude snow‐albedo feedback: observations and CMIP5 model simulations

The snow-masking effect of vegetation exerts strong control on albedo in northern high latitude ecosystems. Large-scale changes in the distribution and stature of vegetation in this region will thus have important feedbacks to climate. The snow-albedo feedback is controlled largely by the contrast between snow-covered and snow-free albedo (Δα), which influences predictions of future warming in coupled climate models, despite being poorly constrained at seasonal and century time scales. Here, we compare satellite observations and coupled climate model representations of albedo and tree cover for the boreal and Arctic region. Our analyses reveal consistent declines in albedo with increasing tree cover, occurring south of latitudinal tree line, that are poorly represented in coupled climate models. Observed relationships between albedo and tree cover differ substantially between snow-covered and snow-free periods, and among plant functional type. Tree cover in models varies widely but surprisingly does not correlate well with model albedo. Furthermore, our results demonstrate a relationship between tree cover and snow-albedo feedback that may be used to accurately constrain high latitude albedo feedbacks in coupled climate models under current and future vegetation distributions.

Holocene lake sediment records of Arctic hydrology

Although paleoclimatic research in the Arctic has most often focused on variations in temperature, the Arctic has also experienced changes in hydrologic balance. Changes in Arctic precipitation and evaporation rates affects soils, permafrost, lakes, wetlands, rivers, ice and vegetation. Changes in Arctic soils, permafrost, runoff, and vegetation can influence global climate by changing atmospheric methane and carbon dioxide concentrations, thermohaline circulation, and high latitude albedo. Documenting past variations in Arctic hydrological conditions is important for understanding Arctic climate and the potential response and role of the Arctic in regards to future climate change. Methods for reconstructing past changes in Arctic hydrology from the stratigraphic, isotopic, geochemical and fossil records of lake sediments are being developed, refined and applied in a number of regions. These records suggest that hydrological variations in the Arctic have been regionally asynchronous, reflecting the impacts of different forcing factors including orbitally controlled insolation changes, changes in geography related to coastal emergence, ocean currents, sea ice extent, and atmospheric circulation. Despite considerable progress, much work remains to be done on the development of paleohydrological proxies and their application to the Arctic.

Effects of Ice Albedo and Runoff Feedbacks on the Thermohaline Circulation

Abstract Simple parameterizations of the ice albedo feedback and its implicit effect on the high-latitude river runoff have been added to the coupled atmosphere-ocean box model developed by Nakamura et al. The additional parameterizations introduce four new feedbacks into the model. The first is a stabilizing feedback between high-latitude albedo and the thermohaline circulation through influence on the temperature. In terms of the Newtonian cooling concept, introduction of this feedback is equivalent to allowing changes in the “apparent equilibrium temperature.” The second and the third feedbacks are consequences of the first; the modified temperature profile affects the meridional transports of moisture and heat by atmospheric eddies, which form positive feedbacks with the thermohaline circulation as shown by Nakamura et al. The fourth is a stabilizing feedback between the thermohaline circulation and freshwater flux into the high-latitude ocean due to ice freezing or melting. The experiments show that ...

Mid-Pliocene warmth: stronger greenhouse and stronger conveyor

Three million years ago, prior to the onset of northern hemisphere glaciation, global mean temperatures may have been as much as 3.5 °C warmer than at present. We present evidence, based on the carbon isotopic composition of marine organic matter, that atmospheric CO 2 levels at this time were on average only about 35% higher than the preindustrial value of 280 ppm. We also present carbon isotopic evidence for stronger thermohaline circulation in the Atlantic Ocean during the warmest intervals and propose that the North Atlantic “conveyor belt” may act as a positive feedback to global warming by enhancing sea ice retreat and decreasing high latitude albedo. Based on our results, it seems unlikely that the mid Pliocene warm period was a doubled CO 2 world.