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| Titel |
Modelling snowdrift sublimation on an Antarctic ice shelf |
| VerfasserIn |
J. T. M. Lenaerts, M. R. Broeke, S. J. Déry, G. König-Langlo, J. Ettema, P. K. Munneke |
| Medientyp |
Artikel
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| Sprache |
Englisch
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| ISSN |
1994-0416
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| Digitales Dokument |
URL |
| Erschienen |
In: The Cryosphere ; 4, no. 2 ; Nr. 4, no. 2 (2010-05-10), S.179-190 |
| Datensatznummer |
250001646
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| Publikation (Nr.) |
 copernicus.org/tc-4-179-2010.pdf |
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| Zusammenfassung |
| In this paper, we estimate the contribution of snowdrift sublimation
(SUds) to the surface mass balance at Neumayer, located on the
Ekström ice shelf in Eastern Antarctica. A single column version
of the RACMO2-ANT model is used as a physical interpolation tool of
high-quality radiosonde and surface measurements for a 15-yr period
(1993–2007), and combined with a routine to calculate snowdrift
sublimation and horizontal snow transport. The site is
characterised by a relatively mild, wet and windy climate, so
snowdrift is a common phenomenon. The modelled timing and frequency
of snowdrift events compares well with observations. This is further
illustrated by an additional simulation for Kohnen base, where the
timing of snowdrift is realistic, although the modelled horizontal
transport is overestimated. Snowdrift sublimation is mainly
dependent on wind speed, but also on relative humidity and
temperature. During high wind speeds, SUds saturates and cools the
air, limiting its own strength. We estimate that SUds removes
around 16%±8% of the accumulated snow from the surface.
The total sublimation more than triples when snowdrift is
considered, although snowdrift sublimation limits sublimation at the
surface. SUds shows a strong seasonal cycle, as well as large
inter-annual variability. This variability can be related to the
variability of the atmospheric conditions in the surface layer. |
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