The Case Study of the Changri Nup Glacier (Nepal, Himalaya) to Understand Atmospheric Dynamics and Ongoing Cryosphere Variations

Abstract

Surface energy fluxes estimated at the debris free surface of Changri Nup Glacier (5,700 m a.s.l.—Nepal Himalayas) since 2010 allow to determine glacier ablation rate and high resolution analysis of glacier albedo. Energy and meteorological data are measured from a supraglacial Automatic Weather Station (AWS). Moreover the impact of atmospheric absorbing aerosol (e.g. Black Carbon, BC) deposition on snow albedo variability has been analyzed. In fact the energy data (from the AWS) were coupled with BC concentration (in snow) values, estimated from the BC atmospheric concentration continuously measured at the Nepal Climate Observatory at Pyramid Station (5,079 m a.s.l.), thus making possible to investigate the relationship between BC deposition in snow and the percentage of albedo reduction at the glacier. Experimental results could improve glacier melt modelling also considering BC impacts on snow albedo variability and then on snow melt rates.