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https://hdl.handle.net/11681/22763| Title: | Changes in the albedo of the Pegasus and Phoenix Runways, 2000–2017 |
| Authors: | Deeb, Elias J. Morriss, Blaine F. Daly, Steven F. Haehnel, Robert B. |
| Keywords: | McMurdo Ice Shelf (Antarctica) Remote-sensing images Runways Snow albedo Solar radiation Heat--Transmission EPOLAR |
| Publisher: | Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (U.S.) Engineer Research and Development Center (U.S.) |
| Series/Report no.: | ERDC/CRREL;TR-17-10 |
| Abstract: | Abstract: Albedo is the ratio of total hemispherical reflected (upwelling) to incoming (downwelling) radiative flux (or irradiance) at a surface. For operations on the McMurdo Ice Shelf, Antarctica, albedo is a controlling factor. Impurities such as dust, soot, mineral, and other organic deposits on a snow or ice surface can dramatically lower albedo, increase solar energy absorption in the ice shelf, and significantly alter the energy balance, resulting in increased melting, snow density variations, and compromised structural integrity of the snow and ice matrix. The occurrence of such impurities at Pegasus Runway may have been a factor in its decline and replacement with the Phoenix Runway in the 2016–2017 field season. Therefore, the National Science Foundation (NSF) requested that the U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) establish a long-term record of surface albedo at the Pegasus and Phoenix Runway sites. To accomplish this, data from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite was used. MODIS satellite data has a daily temporal resolution and a significant period of record (2000–present). Additionally, its narrowband surface reflectance may be used as a proxy for albedo. This report documents the results of these analyses. |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/11681/22763 http://dx.doi.org/10.21079/11681/22763 |
| Appears in Collections: | Technical Report |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ERDC-CRREL TR-17-10.pdf | 1.29 MB | Adobe PDF |  View/Open |