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Snow particle sizes and their distributions in Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica, at sample, local and regional scales

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 January 2016

Susanne Ingvander ,
Peter Jansson ,
Ian A. Brown ,
Shuji Fujita ,
Shin Sugyama ,
Sylviane Surdyk ,
Hiroyuki Enomoto ,
Margareta Hansson  and
Per Holmlund
Susanne Ingvander*
Affiliation:
Department of Physical Geography, Stockholm University, S-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
Peter Jansson
Affiliation:
Department of Physical Geography, Stockholm University, S-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
Ian A. Brown
Affiliation:
Department of Physical Geography, Stockholm University, S-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
Shuji Fujita
Affiliation:
National Institute of Polar Research, Research Organization of Information and Systems (ROIS), Midori-chou 10-3, Tachikawa, Tokyo, 190-0014, Japan Department of Polar Science, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), Tokyo, Japan
Shin Sugyama
Affiliation:
Institute of Low Temperature Science, Hokkaido University, Nishi-8, Kita-19, Sapporo, 060-0819, Japan
Sylviane Surdyk
Affiliation:
National Institute of Polar Research, Research Organization of Information and Systems (ROIS), Midori-chou 10-3, Tachikawa, Tokyo, 190-0014, Japan
Hiroyuki Enomoto
Affiliation:
National Institute of Polar Research, Research Organization of Information and Systems (ROIS), Midori-chou 10-3, Tachikawa, Tokyo, 190-0014, Japan Department of Polar Science, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), Tokyo, Japan
Margareta Hansson
Affiliation:
Department of Physical Geography, Stockholm University, S-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
Per Holmlund
Affiliation:
Department of Physical Geography, Stockholm University, S-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
*
susanne.ingvander@natgeo.su.se
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Abstract

In this study, snow particle size variability was investigated along a transect in Dronning Maud Land from the coast to the polar plateau. The aim of the study was to better understand the spatial and temporal variations in surface snow properties. Samples were collected twice daily during a traverse in 2007–08 to capture regional variability. Local variability was assessed by sampling in 10×10 m grids (5 m spacing) at selected locations. The particle size and shape distributions for each site were analysed through digital image analysis. Snow particle size variability is complex at different scales, and shows an internal variability of 0.18–3.31 mm depending on the sample type (surface, grid or pit). Relationships were verified between particle size and both elevation and distance to the coast (moisture source). Regional seasonal changes were also identified, particularly on the lower elevations of the polar plateau. This dataset may be used to quantitatively analyse the optical properties of surface snow for remote sensing. The details of the spatial and temporal variations observed in our data provide a basis for further studies of the complex and coupled processes affecting snow particle size and the interpretation of remote sensing of snow covered areas.

Keywords

gridsmeteorologyplateausnow grain sizesnow pitstraverse
Type
Physical Sciences
Information
Antarctic Science , Volume 28 , Issue 3 , June 2016 , pp. 219 - 231
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Copyright
© Antarctic Science Ltd 2016 

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