Year: 2023
Type: article
Abstract: We developed a Handheld Integrating Sphere Snow Grain Sizer (HISSGraS) for field use to measure the specific surface area (SSA) of snow. In addition to snow samples, HISSGraS can directly measure snow surfaces and snow pit walls. The basic measurement principle is the same as that of the IceCube SSA instrument. The retrieval algorithm for SSA from reflectance employs two conversion equations formulated using spherical and nonspherical grain shape models. We observed SSAs using HISSGraS, IceCube and the gas adsorption method in a snowfield in Hokkaido, Japan. Intercomparison of the results confirmed that with HISSGraS direct measurement, SSA profile observations can be completed in just ~1/10 the time required for measurement of snow samples. Our results also suggest that HISSGraS and IceCube have similar accuracy when the same snow samples are measured using the same grain shape model. However, SSAs of near-surface snow layers measured using the three techniques exhibited some biases, possibly due to rapid snow metamorphism or melting during measurement and some technical issues with optical techniques. When excluding SSA data for the surface layer, which metamorphosed remarkably during measurement, IceCube- and HISSGraS-derived SSAs correlated strongly with those obtained by gas adsorption and HISSGraS accuracy is 21–34%.
Source: Annals of Glaciology
DOI: 10.1017/aog.2023.72
Institutions: National Institute of Polar Research, Kitami Institute of Technology, University of Toyama, Japan Meteorological Agency, Meteorological Research Institute, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI, National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience, Hokkaido University, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Norwegian Polar Institute
Language: English
Subfield: Atmospheric Science
Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,815
Awards: Quantifying the effects of polar amplification on the Greenland ice sheet mass balance, Evaluation of climate effects of black carbon over the Arctic with an advanced earth system model, Recent surface darkening and abrupt melting of Greenland ice sheet (SIGMA2), G5431091413, G7234760051, 温暖化に伴う両極の雲形成過程の変化の影響評価, Quantitative evaluation of the three major light-absorbing impurities accelerating glacier ablation, Study of advanced cryosphere monitoring using reflectance properties of snow based on application of new measurement technologies and snow physical models
OpenAlex ID: W3206445846