Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2022-179
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2022-179
30 Sep 2022
 | 30 Sep 2022
Status: this preprint is currently under review for the journal TC.

Comprehensive evaluation of black carbon effect on glacier melting on the Laohugou Glacier No. 12, Western Qilian Mountains

Jizu Chen, Wentao Du, Shichang Kang, Xiang Qin, Weijun Sun, Yang Li, Yushuo Liu, Lihui Luo, and Youyan Jiang

Abstract. Global warming and surface albedo reduction by black carbon (BC) in glacier jointly accelerated glacier melting, but their respective contributions remain unclear. This study developed a dynamic deposition model of light absorbing particles (LAPs), which coupled with a surface energy and mass balance model. Based on the coupled model, we further assessed atmospheric deposited BC effect on glacier melting for a period of September 2011–August 2012 on the Laohugou glacier No. 12 in the western Qilian Mountains. It was found that BC in glacier surface caused 13.1 % of annual glacier-wide melting, of which atmospheric direct deposited BC reduced albedo with 0.02 and accounted for 9.1 % of glacier melting. The air temperature during recent two decades has increased by 1.5 ℃ relative to that during 1950s, which accounted for 51.9 % of current glacier melt. Meanwhile, based on the BC emission increased by 4.6 times compared to the early Industrial Evolution recorded in an ice core, the increased BC accounted conservatively for 6.7 % of current glacier melting. Despite the importance of LAPs regarding glacier melting, their variation on the ice surface remains unclear, and relevant observations are urgently needed to improve simulation of the process.

Jizu Chen et al.

Status: final response (author comments only)

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Review Comment on tc-2022-179', Anonymous Referee #1, 10 Nov 2022
  • RC2: 'Comment on tc-2022-179', Anonymous Referee #2, 02 Dec 2022

Jizu Chen et al.

Jizu Chen et al.

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Short summary
This study developed a dynamic deposition model of light absorbing particles (LAPs), which coupled with a surface energy and mass balance model. Based on the coupled model, we assessed atmospheric deposited BC effect on glacier melting, and quantified global warming and increment of emitted black carbon respective contributions to current accelerated glacier melting.