Modelling albedo and specific balance of the Greenland ice sheet: calculations for the Søndre Strømfjord transect

Abstract

Glacio-meteorological data obtained during the Greenland Ice Margin Experiment (GIMEX) investigations in West Greenland (the Søndre Strømfjord transect) have been used to test and calibrate energy-balance/mass-balance models for the ice/snow surface. The region is characterised by the development of a wide zone of low surface albedo in the course of the melting season. This zone was simulated in one of the energy-balance models by including the effect of surficial meltwater on albedo. Observed mass-balance and albedo data were used to constrain the models. Although all the models are capable of predicting the transect balance reasonably well, only the model with the meltwater albedo coupling, is able to reproduce the observed albedo pattern and mass-balance profile along the transect. By including the feedback between surficial meltwater and albedo in the model, the sensitivity of the specific balance to changes in air temperature is found to be greatest just below the equilibrium line (in contrast to what is generally found for valley glaciers). A 1 K warming of the air temperature would increase the mean ablation along the transect by 0.5 m w.e.year ⁻¹.

Introduction

In recent years, studies have been done on the dynamic response of the Greenland ice sheet m climatic change, with emphasis on its possible contribution to sea-level rise in case of global warming (Ambach. 1979: Weidick. 1984; Braithwaite and Olesen, 1990; Huybrechts and Others, 199l; Oerlemans. 1991; Van de Wal and Oerlemans, 1994). Simulation of the ice sheet by numerical models depends critically on the way in which the surface mass balance is formulated. The surface balance can be prescribed, calculated with a degree-day model (e.g Braithwaite and Olesen, 1989; Reeh 1991) or with an energy-balance model e.g. Oerlemans, 1991). or taken from GCM output (Ohmura and Wild. 1995). In our view, the energy-balance model is an attractive tool for simulating the surface mass balance, since the physical processes on the surface can be described fairly explicitly in the model.

Up till now. however, mass-balance models for the Greenland ice sheet, following either the degree-day (Reeh. 1991). or energy-balance approach Oerlemans, 1991: Van de Wal and Oerlemans, 1994) have not been rigorously validated. One of the problems is the lack of representative data. Nevertheless, we feel that the data we now have available allow us to perform better model tests than those performed so far. The Søndre Strømfjord transect provides us with a good opportunity, since 4 years of mass-balance observations are now available, together with the results of two detailed meteorological experiments (GIMEX-90 and GIMEX-91; see Fig. 1 for the set-up). In the course of the work along the Søndre Strømfjord transect, however, it has become clear that the melt physics of this part of the ice sheet are complicated. In particular. the spatial variability and temporal evolution of the albedo makes modelling difficult. This is illustrated in Figure 2 which shows the daily mean albedo as measured at sites 4-9 (see Fig. 1 for locations), together with a snapshot of the spatial distribution of the albedo in the melting zone of central West Greenland, as derived from a NOAA-AVHRR (Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer) image (Knap and Oerlemans. 1996). In the course of the melt season, a band of low albedo develops parallel to the ice edge, the physics of which are poorly understood. We will discuss this feature at length and try to reproduce it in one of our models.

Fig. 1 The experimental set-up during GlMEX-91 and surface elevation of the “ice stations”. Site 9 is the boundary-layer station of the Free University of Amsterdam.

Fig. 2 (a) Daily albedo in the summer of 1991 measured during GIMEX-91, Sites as indicated in Figure 1. (b) AVHHR image (visible, channel 2) from the NOAA-11 satellite for the Søndre Stromfjord area, showing a distinct band of lore albedo (20-75 km from the ice margin) on 25 July 1991. The GIMEX transect (thick black line) and the location of sites 5. 6 and 9 (filled white circles) are also shown.

Recently, 4 year observations of mass balance have become available (given in table in Van de Wal and others (in press); Fig. 3). Although a standard deviation can be calculated for each stake location on die basis of the interannual variability within the 4 year period, it is not clear how representative the balance profile is for the long-term (for instance. 30 year) mean. An additional problem is that the energy-balance model requires input data that are not very well known. For example, little is known about precipitation. Although regular weather observations are carried out at Søndre Strømfjord airport, it is hard to see dial precipitation amounts measured there are representative for the ice-sheet sector under study, for instance, it is known that in summer significant convective precipitation occurs over the tundra but not over the ice sheet. Also, because of orographic effects considerable variation can occur on a 100 km scale. In spite of these and other complications, we thought it would be worth doing a study with an energy-balance model. Although the detailed meteorological experiments lasted for only a short time, they have nevertheless taught us a great deal about the exchange of energy between surface and atmosphere, and about altitudinal gradients along the ice-sheet surface. This puts the parameterizaiions used in the energy-balance model on a sounder basis.

Fig. 3 Mean profile of mass-balance observations for the years 1990-94 together with the best fit to the model grid.

In the following sections we will first discuss the observations made as part of the Greenland Ice Margin Experiment (GIMEX). We postulate that meltwater plays a key role in the spatial and temporal variation of the albedo. Then we describe the energy-balance model used to simulate the specific balance along the Søndre Strømfjord transect. It is based on Oerlemans (1991), but because several of the parameterizations of energy fluxes have been changed, a full description of the model is given. The changes have been made on the basis of the GJMEX experiments, and concern turbulent-exchange coefficients and the effect of clouds on the radiation balance. The treatment of the albedo is perhaps the most critical part of the study. Since the sensitivity of glacier mass balance to climate change is significantly affected by the albedo feedback, it is important to generate the albedo in the model. We have used four ‘albedo models’,one of which involves explicitly surficial meltwater. We discuss which albedo model performs best.

Observations

The GIMEX expeditions were carried out in the Søndre Strømfjord area. 67° N. 50° W. West Greenland, in the Summers of 1990 and 1991. During the experiments, meteorological quantities (air temperature, humidity, wind speed, wind direction, short- and long-wave radiation) were measured at several masts along a transect (the Søndre Strøfjord transect) perpendicular to the ice edge. Masts on the ice sheet stood freely on the surface. The construction consisted of a regular aluminium mast with four long legs, each at an angle of 10° with the surface. Sharp pins were attached to the ends of the legs to keep the mast in place. It is estimated that the tilt of the mast was less than 2° over the entire period. Data were collected via a telemetric system. Most of the time the sampling frequency for all sensors Was 2 min. Figure 1 shows the set-up of the masts during GIMEX-91 and the approximate surface elevation of the ice sheet. The GIMlEX expeditions are described in detail in field reports by R. Bintanja and others (unpublished information, 1991) and W. Boot and others (unpublished information. 1991). An overview can be found in Oerlemans and Vugts (1993).

Global radiation and short-wave reflected radiation were measured simultaneously with a Kipp CM14 pyranometer. No condensation occurred on the instruments, because of the relatively high temperature in the area during the field experiment. The precision of the up and down-facing pyranometers is within 2%. A slight tilt of the instruments from the horizontal plane will introduce an additional error. However, provided the tilt is no more than a few degrees, the effect on the daily albedo is negligible (unpublished information from W. H. Knap. 1992).

We define the daily albedo α as the ratio of the daily totals of short-wave reflected radiation and global radiation. Figure 2a shows the daily albedo for sites 4, 5, 6 and 9 taken during a 51 d period (10 June-30 July 1991) The albedo Oil the tundra (site 3. not shown) has a rather constant value but drops slightly when precipitation occurs. Snowfall shows up very clearly in the albedo record at site 9. The snowfall on 3-4 July causes a steep increase in the albedo at sites 6 and 9. but the increase is not so pronounced at sites nearer the ice margin (4 and 5), probably because the precipitation there fell as rain. The characteristic daily albedo of fresh summer snow apparently is about 0.85 and declines to a value of about 0.65 in a few day s. This finding is in good agreement with the measurements made by die Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH-Camp) at an elevation of 1155 m a.s.l. at a location somewhat further north (Ohmura and others. 1992).

Near the ice margin (sites 4 and 5), the albedo remains at rather constant values of 0.50-0.55. Apparently, the dust coining from the tundra is not sufficient to cause a significant lowering of the albedo on tin- ice sheet. It is not clear, however, whether this is also the case in other parts of the ice margin. Particularly striking in Figure 2a is the large decrease in the albedo at site 6 in the course of the melt season. The observed reduction is related to the abundance of meltwater in the snow pack and/or at the surface, which is typical for this zone below the equilibrium line (in this region the equilibrium line is at an elevation of about 1400 m a.s.l.). Meltwater accumulates in small pools on an irregular and bumpy surface, and patches of old snow become saturated. Streams run between the meltwater. All in all. the morphology is quite complicated and one may well have doubts about the value of measurements made at a single location. The albedo sensor (at a height of 1.5 m above the surface) is hemispheric, bin ‘sees’ only an area of about 10 m across. However, an AVHRR image (visible, channel 2), taken by the NOAA-11 satellite on 25 July 1991 for the area of Søndre Strøfjord (Fig. 2b; Knap and Oerlemans, 1996), shows a distinct band of low albedo, hundreds of kilometres long and running parallel to the ice edge. This low-albedo band extends between 20 km (about 800 m a.s.l.) and 75 m (about 1400 m.a.s.l.) from the ice margin (Fig. 2b). Knap and Oerlemans (1996) report that the satellite-derived albedo values for the low-albedo band on 25 July 1991 are in a range of 0.34-0.63, with the lowest value (0.34) found about 40 km from the ice edge, at an elevation of about 1050 m.a.s.l.; site 6 fmm the GIMEX (about 38 km from the ice edge) was therefore close to the minimum, and albedo values observed there (0.27-0.53 in July) are fairly representative for the centre of the low-albedo band. It thus appears that the strong reduction in the albedo at elevations of 800-1400 m a.s.l. on the ice sheet is a widespread feature in central West Greenland during the ablation season. This albedo pattern, which is the opposite of what is observed on mountain glaciers where the albedo normally increases with increasing altitude (e.g. Koelemeijer and others, 1993), has large implications for the energy budget and deserves careful study.

Figure 3 shows the mean profile of mass-balance observations for die years 1990-94. The mean equilibrium-line altitude (ELA) is 1431 m a.s.l. The transect balance of the observations (N_obs) is −0.99 m w.e. year⁻¹. We define the transect balance (N) as:

(1)

Here M_i, is the specific balance at measuring site i. D_i is the Corresponding Surface distance and D_tot is the total distance along the measured transect about (89km: Fig. 1). For an easy comparison, the observed mass balance is fitted to the model grid. The transect balance of the fit (N_fit) is −1.19 m w.e. year⁻1 (D_tot, = 113 km; Fig. 3), It should be noted that N does not represent the mean specific balance of a drainage system (lack of accurate topographic data makes it impossible to define a drainage basin for this area) as usually defined. Nevertheless, it is useful to compare the models with data with respect to the mean balance along the transect.

The Energy-Balance Model

Various types of models have been used to quantify the energy budget as a function of time. The assumption underlying a simple model is that the surface temperature is at freezing point and melting occurs whenever the surface energy budget is positive. A comprehensive model, on the Other hand, calculates englacial temperature. density and water content on a vertical grid (e.g. Greuell and Konzelmann. 1994). In between these two types of model one may use a model that calculates the surface temperature by treating the ice surface as a slab with fixed heat capacity. However, although this approach has been used with some success in treating land/ocean surface in atmospheric models, it does not work well for snow and ice surfaces, because heat conduction depends so strongly on morphology. The type of model one selects depends on the purpose for which it is required and. in particular, on the amount of input data available. Regarding the annual mass balance, it has been shown by Greuell and Oerlemans (1986) that die difference in the results formed by the simple models and by the comprehensive models is rather insignificant, except where annual melt is very small. Here we will use the simple model, as we consider it to be compatible with the Quality of data available for the Søndre Strømfjord transect. It is based on the model presented by Oerlemans (1991) but has been simplified so that it works with daily time steps, and, consequently, with daily mean meteorological quantities (unless staled otherwise).

The basic equations in the model are:

(2)

(3)

In Equation (2), the energy balance is denoted by B and consists of absorbed short-wave radiation (Q), incoming and outgoing long-wave radiation (L_i and L_o) and the turbulent fluxes of sensible and latent heat (F₈ and F₁). It is assumed that melting takes place at the surface as soon as B becomes positive. In Equation (3), M is the specific mass balance, f is the fraction of the meltwater that refreezes and does not contribute to mass loss, L is the latent heat of melt and P* is the solid precipitation. Neither snowdrift nor water transport in the fim aquifer is taken into account. M is expressed in m we year⁻¹

Solar Radiation

Absorbed solar radiation Q is calculated as:

(4)

Here S_c. is the daily amount of solar radiation on a horizontal surface at the top of the atmosphere and is derived from standard equations (Walraven, 1978). Attenuation of the solar beam by absorption and scattering and by clouds is represented by the transmissivities T_a and T_c, respectively. The surface albedo is denoted by ρ. For the clear-sky transmissivity we use (h is surface elevation):

(5)

This is a fit to more detailed calculations presented in Hoogendoorn (1988). for a characteristic solar elevation of 30°. For the effect of clouds we follow the parameterization of Konzelmann and others (1994), which is based on data from the Greenland ice sheet:

(6)

Here n is cloudiness (between 0 and 11). It should be noted that Equation (6) implies that clouds have considerably less effect on the global radiation than the parameterization used in earlier models (Oerlemans. 1991; Van de Wal and Oerlemans, 1994). The latter parameterization was based on data from the Alps, where clouds apparently are optically thicker. For typical cloud conditions in West Greenland, there can he a difference in global radiation of up to 15% (Konzelmann and others. 1994).

The albedo is treated below in a separate section.

Long-Wave Radiation

For the incoming long-wave radiation L_i we also follow the parameterization for daily means as presented by Konzelmnann and others (1994). It reads:

(7)

Here σ is the Stefan-Boltzmann constant, T_a is air temperature and e_a is vapour pressure (2 m above the surface). For a melting surface with emissivity 1 the outgoing long-wave radiation L_o is:

(8)

Turbulent Fluxes

The turbulent heat fluxes are calculated with the bulk method, in which the fluxes are set proportional to the temperature/humidity difference between atmosphere and surface, namely:

(9)

(10)

Here C is the exchange coefficient, L is the latent beat of melt, c _p is specific heat, p is pressure and e_as is saturation vapour pressure at the surface. The latter is approximated by (Kraus, 1972);

(11)

(12)

Equation (11) is used whenever the energy balance is positive.

The exchange coefficient C is taken to be the same for the latent and for the sensible heat flux, but depends on altitude. This approach was used by Oerlemans (1991) and is supported by the work of Ohata (1991). On the basis of the GIMEX results, we use:

(13)

A detailed discussion of Equation (13) is given in the Appendix.

Input Data

Meteorological input data needed to run the model are: daily means of surface air temperature at 2 m), humidity at 2 m), cloudiness and precipitation as well as daily mean isolation.

Since only limited information is available about relative humidity, a constant value of 76% is used in the present study; the value is based on observations made at the Søndre Strømljortl weather station (DMI, 1990-92). For comparison we mention that the mean humidity measured during GIMEX-91 was 74% at site 4 (mean of 54 summer days), and 79% at site 9 (mean of July). For cloudiness we take a constant value of 0.59 (mean over the melting zone during GIMEX-91 (unpublished data)).

The 2 m air temperature is generated as follows:

(14)

Here

is the mean annual temperature at sea level, A_T is the seasonal temperature amplitude, D is the day number (1 January = 1), and γ is the atmospheric lapse rate taken to be 0.0075 Km⁻¹ on the basis of the mean of GIMEX measurements in the melting zone). Values of

and A^T used in calculations (based on temperature data from the Søndre Strømfjord weather station (Ohmura. 1987) and GIMEX data are listed in Fig. 3. Figure 4 shows the temperature cycle as used in the present calculations. The fit to observed data is generally good. except in late winter. This does not affect the calculations, however.

Fig. 4 The temperature cycle used in the used in the model calculations, based on Ohmura and Reeh (1991) and the GLMEX measurements.

Table. 1 Parameter values used in the models

We assume that whenever air temperature is below 2° C, precipitation falls as snow. We further assume that precipitation occurs on one day Out of 15; therefore there are about two significant precipitation events per month. We did not attempt to use different precipitation rates for different months, since information from the Søndre Strømfjord weather station cannot be considered representative for the ice sheet (it is known that Søndre Strømfjord has more precipitation in summer because of convective showers; however, these hardly occur further up the ice sheet). On the basis of the annual precipitation at Søndre Strømfjord (0.16 m year⁻¹) and the precipitation map of Ohmura and Reeh (1991), we use the following linear expression with altitude as variable:

(15)

Thus, between the ice margin and the higher part of the model transect the precipitation rate P increases by 80%.

Surface Processes and Albedo

The parameterization of the albedo is closely connected with the Way in which the surface is treated. We consider a hierarchy of model versions, in order to find out how the simulation of observed albedo and specific balance can be significantly improved. The model versions are:

• 1. Two-albedo model, α = 0.71 (snow) or 0.40 (ice).

• 2. No-refreezing model, α as in Oerlemans, (1991).

• 3. Simple-refreezing model, α as in Oerlemans (1991).

• 4. Meltwater model, α depends on snow density and the presence of slush and meltwater.

Below we give a description of each of the model versions. Since new parameterizations on surface mass balance and surface albedo are used in the meltwater model, we will discuss these in detail.

Model 1: the two-albedo model

The albedo can have only two values, one for snow and one for ice. This implies that the albedo above the equilibrium line is constant in space and lime. Below the equilibrium line it jumps from the snow value to the ice value as soon as all snow has melted. In this model version, there is no refreezing, i.e. in Equation (3) f = 0 all the lime. Whenever the energy budget becomes positive (B>0), snow or ice has begun to melt. The meltwater runs off immediately.

Model 2: the No-Refreezing Model

In the mass-balance model presented in Oerlemans (1991), the albedo was calculated from:

(16)

Here α_sn is the albedo of snow, d_sn is the snow depth, M_m is the accumulated melt during the ablation season, and α_b, is the background albedo. α_b is defined as:

(17)

Here E is the ELA and a1, a2, a3 and a4 are constants. To obtain a smooth transition between α_b and α_sn, the increase in the albedo is assumed to be a smooth function ol snow depth d_sn. Here again, refreezing is neglected.

Model 3: the Simple-Refreezing Model

In this model version the albedo is Calculated in essentially the same way as in model 2. except that different values are used for the constants in Equation (17) due to the inclusion of the refreezing effect in the model. We will discuss this later.

The effect of the refreezing of meltwater is included in the model in a simple manner, as described in Oerlemans (1992). Meltwater that penetrates into Snowpack will refreeze and remain there if the temperature is below melting point. Ii is assumed that during the melting period an upper layer with a heat capacity equivalent to 2 m of solid ice (density ρ_ce = 900 kg m⁻³) will be heated; in this layer the ice temperature will be brought up to melting point. The fraction of energy involved in melting ice or snow (B_ice) increases as the ice temperature(T_ice) rises in the ablation season. Consequently, the heat flux into the upper ice/snow layer (H_ice) decreases and becomes zero as soon as the ice temperature reaches zero. The equations used read (Oerlemans, 1992):

(18)

(19)

T_ice is set equal to the annual mean temperature at the beginning of each balance year. Change of T_ice, can then take place only through refreezing of meltwater when the ablation season starts. This means that the higher the elevation, the lower the temperature, and thus the harder it is for significant runoff to begin.

Model 4: The Meltwater Model

In this model version the albedo depends on snow density and on the presence of slush and meltwater at the surface.

It is known that in some way the large variations in the albedo are primarily related to the presence of meltwear water at the surface, We have come to the conclusion that a realistic parameterization for the albedo can only be achieved if the amount of meltwater is tracked. This is difficult, however. Models exist for the transport of water through firn (e.g. Ambach and others, 1981), but these are not applicable, since in the zone we are studying there is no uniform firn layer. The flow in the meltwater channels can be described by simple hydraulics, but this does not seem to be the important issue. What really determines the time-scale of the surficial meltwater runoff (averaged over a 2 km × 2 km area, for instance) is the time the water takes to reach the drainage system. In fact, from the time melting begins until the moment meltwater runs off, the surface of the ice sheet undergoes a complicated metamorphosis which changes the state of the surface dramatically and thus determines the behaviour of meltwater on the surface. This consequently affects the surface albedo. In the light of this, the surface albedo is modelled in such a way that it can simulate the following regimes: (i) decrease in the albedo during the first part of the melting season (d_sn > 0) due to the densification of the snowpack: (ii) i decrease in the albedo associated with accumulation of meltwater during the rest of the melting period when die surface is snow-free (d_sn = 0). Figure 5 depicts a schematic structure of the parameterizations used in die model for surface mass balance and surface albedo.

Fig. 5 Schematic stria lure of parameterization adopted in the meltwater model for (a) surface mass balance and (b) surface albedo.

Surface Mass Balance

The available positive energy (B), as calculated by Equation (2), is used to melt snow and ice in the following steps:

Snow melts. All meltwater is allowed to penetrate downwards into the snow cover and refreeze there as superimposed ice (d_si). the snow cover (d_sn)is defined as a snow layer that has accumulated since the end of the previous melting season starting from Julian day 230. 18 August). Ii is added with snowfall (P*) and Subtracted with melting (h_mt).

The corresponding energy of the refreezing is used to heat up the snow layer. The mean temperature of the snow layer (T_sn) is brought up towards the melting point. The snowpack is densified tine to melting and refreezing. At this stage, no runoff takes place and there is no change in mass.

The snow temperature (T_sn) exceeds the melting point; T_sn is put equal to 0° C The meltwater percolates into the snow build tip a slush layer (d_st) (a snow layer saturated with water). The slush (d^s1) does not exceed the snow cover (d_sn). The densification of the snowpack continues. Runoff (R) starts.

The snow slush has melted away. The superimposed ice melts. Depending on the Surface slope (S). meltwater (W) starts accumulating on the surface.

The ice melts.

Surface Albedo Parameterization

The surface albedo is calculated according to the state of the surface (snow/slush/ice):

During the melting season (B>0), until the cold storage of the winter snow has been eliminated (d_sn = 0), The albedo is assumed to be a linear fraction of the mean density of the snowpack (ρ) from the moment the surface becomes snow-free, the albedo is determined by the amount of meltwater at the surface (W). In formulating the latter regime, we ensure a smooth transition between ice and water albedo by using an exponential function.

Outside the melting season (B≤0) albedo is set either to the snow albedo (α_sn) or to the ice albedo (α_ice), depending on the properties of the surface.

Thus, the surface albedo is lower for higher density and larger wetness of the surface. The parameterization is based on the notion that density and wetness may represent the effects of surface roughness, grain-size and liquid-water content (Warren, 1982; Greuell and Konzelmann, 1994).

Densification by metamorphosis includes the effect of snowfall, refreezing and melting:

(20)

Here ρ is the mean density of the snow cover in kg m⁻³ and ρ_sn is the density of fresh snow (assumed to be 300 kg m⁻³). It is obvious that the mean density ρ increases with increasing melting.

Because the ice temperature at the depth of a few metres is below melting point, the meltwater channels remain at the surface until they approach the ice margin and disappear in moulins (this happens typically a few kilometres from the ice edge). Meltwater probably reaches the drainage system quicker when the general Surflace slope is larger. Therefore, we decided to use an equation for the area-averaged surficial meltwater W which takes into account surface slope S in such a way that it can lind:

a finite value for s = 0

a finite value for S → ∞.

The equation reads:

(21)

where

(22)

Here P_w is the production of meltwater that does not refreeze and t* is the characteristic time-scale for meltwater runoff as mentioned above. The surface slope S is derived from a fit to the altitude profile along the GIMEX transect which was inferred from differential GPS measurements (Fig. 1). Equation (22) contains three constants that have to be chosen. Unfortunately, no information is available concerning the amount of surficial water over the course of time. So the best one can do is to determine optimal values for C₁ C₂, and C₃ by Optimizing the simulated albedo against the observations and at the same time taking into account that the obtained t* is realistic. In light of this the values of C₁, C₂ and C₃ used in the model are 1.5. 25 and 140, respectively (Table 1), Thus, all meltwater at the surface would drain away within 1-2 d if the surface slope is very large, while it would take about 26 d to drain away till meltwater on a flat surface with the slope close to 0° .

The expressions for the albedo in all situations therefore read:

(23)

(24)

(25)

(26)

Here α_wat, is the albedo of water, α_s1 is the albedo of slush. ρ_wat is the density of water (1000 kg m⁻³) and w* is a constant. The values Ofα_sn,α_s1,and α_ice are taken to be constants (sec Table 1), In the present version of the model. 0.75 is taken as the mean snow albedo, an intermediate value of the observations at site 9 (ranging from 0.64 to 0.89; GIMEX-91). The slush albedo (0.45: Table 1) is chosen rather arbitrarily because no information is available. Since slush is in fact a mixture of snow and water, we feel that an intermediate value between the snow albedo (0.75) and the water albedo (0.15) may be a reasonable approximation, because what we deal with is not a uniform saturated snow layer bin a patchy surface where some parts are wet and melting, and other parts are covered by snow. What we Want to express hereby a gradual transition from snow albedo to slush albedo does not represent an albedo change at a single spot where albedo “jumps” from snow to slush clue to the water table in the snow rising to the snow surface, as observed in the held, but a mean effect of the albedo transition at surface where some parts are covered by slush or water and other Kills are covered by snow during the early period of melting. As initial condition we take a bare-ice surface, with an ice albedo of 0.55 (based on the observations of GIMEX-91). Note that the albedo prescribed a priori is not altitude-dependent.

Simulation of a Reference State

Comparison of models is meaningful only when they are calibrated against the same data. We have adjusted model parameters (Table 1) in such a way that all models correctly simulate:

the observed mean ELA, E (1431 m; Fig. 3);

the observed transect balance,N_fit (−1.19 m w.e. year⁻¹; Fig. 3).

The integration of the energy-balance model was performed with a 1 d time step, starting on 1 January. Calculations were done for a number of grid points which have equal distance in elevation at intervals of 150 m. Results of the reference experiment are presented in Figure 6-9.

Figure 6 shows comparisons between the observed (mean of 1990-94) and the calculated mass balance for all four models. The modelled mass balance generally agrees well with the measurements except for the lower reaches of the transect (Fig. 6a and b). It seems that among the four model versions the meltwater model (model 4) performs best in reproducing the balance variations along the transect. Surprisingly, the simplest model version (model 1) does a good job as well. The specific balance at die lower part of the transect (below 500 m a.S.l.) is not well predicted by the other models (models 2 and 3: Fig. 6). Calculations using model 4 indicate that the absorbed short-wave radiation (136 Wm⁻², daily mean for the GIMEX-91 period 10 June-31 July), at 350 m.a.s.L accounts for 70% of the total energy available for melting. This agrees with the measured absorbed shortwave radiation (117 Wm², daily mean for the same period) at site 4 (340 m a.s.l.. Fig.1) which accounts for 73% of the total. Significant overestimates of ablation arrived at using models 2 and 3 (Fig. 6b) can be explained by the effect of the unrealistically low surface albedo that the model generates for the ice margin.

Fig. 6 Comparisions between the (a) observed (mean of 1990-94) and the (b) calculated mass balance in the reference experiment for all four models: (a) the modelled mass balance plotted against the observations; (b) elevation dependence of the differences between the modelled and the observed mass balance.

The transect balance (N; Equation (1) computed by means of all the models is compatible with the observations (N_fit; Fig. 3), The difference between N and N_fit, in all cases is less than 3%. Obviously it is possible to lit the measured transect balance quite well by tuning the model parameters regardless of the model schemes. However, how well can the models reproduce the temporal variations of the melting observed in the field? Are the models capable of predicting the albedo variations seen along the transect? Figure 7 illustrates the computed and the measured time dependence of the melting at site 4 during the summer period for all the models. Of the four models, model 4 (the meltwater model) apparently does the best job. It should be realized that lilting the transect balance well alone is not very meaningful if the observed temporal and spatial variations of the ablation cannot be correctly simulated.

Fig. 7 Comparisons between the measured and the modelled time dependence of the melting at site 4 f (337 m a.s.l.: GIMEX-9l) during the summer period for all the models: (a) daily ablation; Sb) cumulative ablation.

Figure 8 presents a comparison between the observed (GIMEX-91) and the calculated surface albedo for model 4. It appears that a better simulation of observed albedo can indeed be obtained if water at the surface is explicitly included in die model. There is still a significant discrepancy between the calculated and the observed albedo, however, especially at sites 5 and 6. It should be mentioned that, when GIMEX-91 was being set up in early June 1991. there was still some snow cover around site 6. However. the mast was eventually put up on bare ice instead of snow, because the task was simpler. This partly explains the discrepancy between the observed and the calculated albedo for site 6 during the onset of the ablation season. The difference between the calculated and the observed albedo at site 9 can be explained by the fact that a mean value (0.75. on the basis of the albedo observations at site 9) was taken as the snow albedo in the model, and that the effect of snow ageing was not included in the calculation. The calculated albedo at site 9 thus cannot depict the parlicular variations due to those precipitation events and the snow-ageing effect. Nevertheless. the model is able to reproduce the major characteristics of the albedo pattern in the melting /.one along the Søndre Sirømfjord transen. On the other hand, the simulated albedo variation derived from models 1. 2 and 3 could in no way compare with die observations. The reason is clear. In model 1 only two Values arc assigned to the albedo, no allowance being made for spatial and temporal variation. There is simply a switch from one value to the other. In models 2 and 3, the effect of meltwater is not considered in the scheme.

Fig. 8 Temporal variation of surface albedo at (a) sites 4 and 5 (b) sites 6 and 9 along the Søndrc Strømjjord transect. Lines are the model results: symbols are the observed data collected during GIMEX-91.

To find out how realistically model 4 performs. the simulated temporal variation in various quantities during the melting season for the Søndre Strømfjord transect is plotted in Figure 9. As seen in the figure, the melting period (B>)0. at the grid point at 200 m.a.s.l., starts in late May and lasts for about 3.5 months, whereas higher up on the ice sheet, near the equilibrium line, melting does not occur until the end of June and lasts for approximately 1 month (Fig. 9f). As soon as the ablation begins, the snow layer is heated up to melting point in a matter of days (2-6d; Fig. 9c), and the mean density of the snowpack increases rapidly (Fig. 9c). As melting progresses, runoff begins: water starts to accumulate on the surface; a slush layer builds up and snow gradually melts away. At the ice margin, the whole process of snowpack elimination (for example, snow depth of 0.12 m.w.e) takes about 10 d, whereas high up on the ice, 25 d are needed to melt away a snowpack of 0.16 m w.e. (Fig. 9d). This is reasonable and is supported by field observations (Henneken and others. 1994). Therefore, it can he concluded that the surface conditions and transect balance along the Søndre Strømfjord transect have been simulated satisfactorily. and a set of sensitivity tests can now be attempted.

Fig. 9 (a) Energy budget B. (b) mean snow density ρ(c) mean snow temperature T_sn, (d) snow depth d_sn. (e) slush depth d_sl and (f) ablation as a function of time for three different grid points along the Søndre Strømfjord transect.

Climate Sensitivity

In this section we investigate the implications of the various models for the sensitivity of specific balance to changes in air temperature and precipitation.

First, we made calculations for perturbations of + 1 K in air temperature. It has been suggested, however, that increasing temperature on the Greenland ice sheet also involves somewhat higlna- precipitation rates (e.g. Huybrechts and others, 1991). Therefore we also carried out model runs with combined perturbations in air temperature and precipitation (a +1 K temperature change with a +5% change in precipitation). changes in transect balance (ΔN) and in ELA (ΔE) for all the models arc summarised in Figure 10.

It is clear that values of ΔN are not very different (the increased ablation ranging from 40% to 45% for a 1 K warming); in the case of combined perturbations. the differences in ΔN are slightly larger (the increased ablation ranging from 31% to 39%; Fig. 10a). For changes in ELA, model 1 appears to be the most sensitive (Fig. 10b). This is probably due to the discontinuity in the albedo transition between snow and ice.

Fig. 10 Changes in (a) transect balance and (b) equilibrium-line altitude for perturbations in air temperature and precepitation on for all the models.

With regard to changes in mass-balance profiles, however, die picture looks different (Fig. 11). There are large differences between the models. The change in mass balance in model 1 shows a sharp peak around 1400 m a.s.l. elevation. This is obviously caused by the jump in albedo as discussed previously. The largest change at mid-elevation seen in model 2 can be explained by the albedo feedback. A lifting of the ELA due to a 1 K warming reduces albedo significantly, thus reducing the surface albedo and enhancing the melting. Model 3 behaves similarly but with a less pronounced mid-elevation maximum because of the effect of refreezing. With the meltwater-albedo coupling in model 4, the changes in specific balance reach a maximum just below the equilibrium line. On the lower part of the ice sheet, however, the change in mass balance tends to become independent of elevation. On the basis of estimates made with the meltwater model, a 1 K increase in die annual mean air temperature leads to a change of 161 m in the ELA, and the transect balance changes from −1.212 to −1.72⁻¹ (the mean ablation increases by 0.5 m w.e. year⁻¹ ).

Fig. 11 Sensitivity of lite mass-balance profile to changes in air temperature for all the model versions.

It should also be noted that a change in precipitation has only a slight effect. A very large change in precipitation would be needed to cancel out the temperature effect.

Conclusions

Four energy-balance models have been presented. Although all are capable of predicting the transect balance reasonably well, only die meltwater model is able to reproduce the albedo pattern and the mass-balance profile which were observed along the Soøndre Strøfjord transect in central West Greenland. When meltwater and its effect on albedo are included in the model, the simulation of albedo and mass balance improves considerably.

Sensitivity tests show that the largest response of the specific balance to temperature and precipitation changes occurs just below the equilibrium line. This is in contrast to findings for mountain glaciers (where sensitivity decreases with increasing altitude; Greuell and Oerlemans. 1986; Oerlemans and Hoogendoorn, 1989). In case of climate warming, low-albedo zones may become widespread and lead to significant additional runoff from the ice sheet.

We have modelled the densifieation of the upper snow pack and the amount of meltwater contributing to a lowering of the surface albedo with a simple approach. It should be possible to reline the model considerably, but this will be worthwhile only if more extensive data become available. Such data must be derived from carefully calibrated and validated remote-sensing products and must have sufficient spatial and temporal resolution.

It is not clear how widespread the occurrence of “low-albedo zones” over the Greenland ice sheet is. Also, at this stage it is not possible to identify areas having the characteristics dial will turn them into low-albedo zones if there is significant climate warming. However, the large increase in ablation rates when the meltwater-albedo feedback is included implies a potentially important mechanism that may affect the balance of the whole ice sheet. Further study of this topic is needed.