G
lacier
M
easurements
by
the
A
merican
C
limber
S
cience
P
rogram
The ACSP has conducted several research expeditions in the Cor-
dillera Blanca Mountains of Peru. Research projects carried out
by the ACSP include the measurement of light absorbing impuri-
ties, including black carbon and dust, on the glaciers of the region
and experimental spectoradiometer readings on the glaciers (Fig-
ure 1). A detailed description of the black carbon research includ-
ing the collection, processing, and analysis techniques used is giv-
en in Schmitt et al. (2013). Briefly, snow samples were collected
by volunteer climbers and scientists while climbing 14 different
mountains in the region (Figure 2). In camp, the melted
snow was passed through filters, which captured impu-
rities for further analysis. A total of 250 filter samples
were collected in the three expeditions. Analysis was
done by measuring the heat absorption capacity of the
particles on the filters. Filters were individually illu-
minated by a broad band light source and an infrared
thermometer was used to monitor the temperature of
the filter. The increase in temperature of the filter is di-
rectly related to the heat absorptive capacity of the par-
ticles on the filter. Results of the filter measurements
indicate that there is a significant amount of plain dust
in some regions while other areas include significant
black carbon as well.
R
esearch
M
otivation
When a region with glaciers is experiencing warming, even if
precipitation patterns remain constant, the water availability
for the region will change. Initially, runoff from glaciers will
increase as melting increases, but eventually the glacier area will
be reduced sufficiently that the increased melting will be offset
by the increased water loss due to evaporation, sublimation,
or absorption into newly exposed ground surfaces. The highest
level of runoff is referred to as “peak water” (Baraer et al., 2012).
Once the highest levels of runoff have been passed, water flow
levels decrease, usually to levels significantly below the pre-
warming flow rates. Surface water flow rates are then driven
more by precipitation; and as a result, dry season water flows
can be substantially reduced while wet season flows may not be
Figure 1. We have tested various techniques for gathering ground
spectroradiometer data that can be compared to remotely sensed information.
Figure 2. Dr. John All gathering snow samples at over 5000 meters in the Ishinca
Valley.
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May 2014
387
Atmospheric pollutants such as
black carbon particles can be
deposited on glacier surfaces
through precipitation processes
or through ‘dry deposition’.
Black carbon on glacier
surfaces increases the rate of
melting due to absorption of
light that would otherwise be
reflected.
