Physical properties and stratigraphy of surface snow in western Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica

Information about the spatial variations of snow properties and of annual accumulation on ice sheets is important if we are to understand the results obtained from ice cores, satellite remote sensing data and changes in climate patterns. The layer structure and spatial variations of physical properties of surface snow in western Dronning Maud Land were analysed during the austral summers 1999/2000, 2000/01 and 2003/04 in five different snow zones. The measurements were performed in shallow (1–2 m) snow pits along a transect extending 350 km from the seaward edge of the ice shelf to the polar plateau. These pits covered at least the last annual accumulation and ranged in elevation from near sea level to 2500 m a.s.l. The ع⁸O values and accumulation rates had a good linear correlation with the distance from the coast. The mean accumulation on the ice shelf was 312±28 mm water equivalent (w.e.); in the coastal region it was 215±43 mm w.e. and on the polar plateau it was 92±25 mm w.e. The mean annual conductivity and grain size values decreased exponentially with increasing distance from the ice edge, by 48%/100 km and 18%/100 km respectively. The mean grain size varied between 1.5 and 1.8 mm. Depth hoar layers were a common phenomenon, especially under thin ice crusts, and were associated with low dielectric constant values.     

Snow accumulation distribution on Spitsbergen, Svalbard, in 1997

A survey of the regional snow accumulation variability on Spitsbergen, Svalbard, was carried out during three field campaigns in May 1997. The survey was carried out along three transects from west-to-east approcimately at the following latitudes: 77°30', 78° and 78°50'degrees north. The altitudes span from sea level to 1000 metres elevation. Snow depth was measured with two different ground-penetrating radar systems, PulsEKKO (450 MHz) and GSSI SIR System-2 (500 MHz), pulled behind snow machines. Snow characteristics such as snow temperature, snow density and stratigraphy were measured in snow pits in nine areas, three along each transect. Our data suggest the following: (1)the accumulation-elevation gradients vary from 3 mm/100 m in the northeast to 237 mm/100 min the central-south with an average value of 104 mm/100m for all measurements: (2)snow accumulation was 38 to 49% higher at the eastern coast than at the western coast; (3) a clear minimum in accumulation (or continental climate) is seen for the central (inland) locations in the middle and northern transects while no such minimum exists along the southern transect; (4) a south-to-north gradient produces 55% and 40% less snow accumulation at the northern locations compared to the southern locations at the western and eastern coasts, respectively. These drops in winter snow accumulation occur over a distance of less than 200 km.     

Spaceborne Microwave Remote Sensing of Arctic Sea Ice During Spring

This paper outlines the fundamental roles sea ice plays during the spring Arctic climate, and it demonstrates the use of passive microwave remote sensing in measuring climatically important sea ice variables during the spring transitional period. It discusses the theoretical concepts underlying passive microwave remote sensing of sea ice, and it summarizes the historical use of satellite microwave radiometry in the Arctic region. In addition, this paper discusses the derivation of climatically important sea ice variables, including sea ice extent, concentration, multiyear ice fraction, and snow melt onset, with additional comments on the precision and accuracy of the remote sensing estimates. It also discusses interannual trends in sea ice extent and presents interannual trends in snow melt onset dates. Finally, this paper provides a brief discussion on the future directions in passive microwave remote sensing of climatically important sea ice variables during the spring transitional period.     

Spaceborne Microwave Remote Sensing of Arctic Sea Ice During Spring

This paper outlines the fundamental roles sea ice plays during the spring Arctic climate, and it demonstrates the use of passive microwave remote sensing in measuring climatically important sea ice variables during the spring transitional period. It discusses the theoretical concepts underlying passive microwave remote sensing of sea ice, and it summarizes the historical use of satellite microwave radiometry in the Arctic region. In addition, this paper discusses the derivation of climatically important sea ice variables, including sea ice extent, concentration, multiyear ice fraction, and snow melt onset, with additional comments on the precision and accuracy of the remote sensing estimates. It also discusses interannual trends in sea ice extent and presents interannual trends in snow melt onset dates. Finally, this paper provides a brief discussion on the future directions in passive microwave remote sensing of climatically important sea ice variables during the spring transitional period.     

新疆典型流域积雪遥感信息系统数据库的建立

天山山区冬季积雪深厚,稳定积雪期较长,利用积雪遥感图象可以动态监测大面积的积雪变化,有效地调查大范围的积雪资源状况,积雪遥感监测和积雪遥感制图涉及多方面的资料,积雪数据库是积雪遥感监测系统必不可少的一部分。本文就新疆典型流域积雪遥感信息系统数据库的建立,数据库之间的数据格式转换,接口,可视化界面等进行讨论。     

基于遥感数据的叶尔羌河流域水文过程模拟与分析

在西北荒漠-绿洲生态系统中,山区水循环对下游水资源管理具有重要作用。为了准确地理解高寒山区水文过程,以降水、温度和潜在蒸散发的遥感数据为模型输入,建立叶尔羌河流域的MIKE SHE模型。根据模型输出,从径流、积雪和蒸散发三方面探讨了流域的水文过程。结果表明：经校正后的遥感产品在叶尔羌河流域的水文模拟中取得了良好的应用效果,出山口卡群站日径流的效率系数达0.71,相关系数达0.85。河道的年平均径流深为146.66 mm,其中稳定的基流补给占21.3%。流域的年平均降雪231 mm,占总降水的74%左右;73.9%的融雪发生在7-9月,积雪主要分布于5000 m以上区域。蒸散发以7-9月中低山区植被覆盖良好的针叶林和草地为主。选用合适的方法对遥感数据进行验证和率定,有助于提高对资料缺失的高寒山区流域水文过程的认识。对不同水文要素进行分析验证,可更准确地理解水资源的转化、储存方式及其时空分布,以便为下游水资源管理提供依据。     

Mass Balance of the Greenland Ice Sheet: Can Modern Observation Methods Reduce the Uncertainty?

The future contribution to sea level change from the large ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica is composed of two terms: (i) a background trend determined by the past climate and dynamic history of the ice sheets on a range of time scales (decadal, millennial or even longer); and (ii) a rise/fall related to future climate change, whether due to anthropogenic effects or natural climate variability. The accelerating development of remote sensing techniques for monitoring ice sheet behaviour, and the use of high-resolution general circulation models to estimate temperature and precipitation changes are likely to result in improved estimates of the sensitivity of ice sheet mass balance to climate change and thereby to narrow down the uncertainty of contribution (ii). Contribution (i) is much more difficult to assess, because the mass balance displays large temporal variability on year-to-year and even on decadal time scales that masks the long-term trend. So, although modern remote sensing techniques enable accurate measurement of ice sheet surface elevation change, the mass changes derived from such measurements, even if performed over a period of several years, might just reflect a statistical fluctuation around the long-term background trend, which we must know in order to assess the future ice sheet contribution to sea level change on century and longer time scales. The measured volume changes must therefore be evaluated on the background of short- and long-term accumulation rates (e.g. determined from ice cores and high-resolution ice radar) and dynamic model studies of ice sheet evolution on century, millennial and longer time scales. The problems are illustrated by using the Greenland ice sheet as an example.     

多源遥感数据协同的我国草原积雪范围全天候实时监测

草原积雪信息的获取对于确定草原雪灾的影响范围与灾情等级等具有重要意义。基于光学遥感与微波遥感应用于草原积雪监测的各自优缺点,提出了将光学MODIS数据与被动微波AMSR-E数据有效协同进行我国草原积雪实时监测的业务流程,阐述了相关算法和实现步骤;进而结合农业部要求,对我国雪灾最严重的省区之一——内蒙古草原2007年12月1日至2008年1月20日期间的雪灾状况进行了全天候实时监测,取得了实际监测效果,成功地获取了总计达到51天的连续监测数据,揭示出了监测时段期内蒙古草原积雪发生的时空状况。所提出多源遥感数据在我国草原积雪监测中协同应用算法及其技术路线实现了对草原积雪的全天候实时监测,可应用于我国草原积雪监测的业务化运行,可提升我国雪灾减灾应急基于先进遥感手段的应用水平和监测精度,积极服务于国家雪灾应急减灾的迫切现实需求。     

基于GF-1的青藏高原东南部积雪分布及MODIS积雪产品适用性研究

青藏高原东南部海拔高,地形复杂,云量大,准确掌握该地区的积雪分布特征对于积雪灾害防治非常重要。论文以2013—2019年冬季积雪积累期云量符合要求的35景高分一号(GF-1)影像为基础,将全色影像和多光谱影像融合为2 m分辨率影像,通过目视解译获取了研究区积雪的空间分布特征,结合改进后的30 m分辨率SRTM DEM,探讨了地形对积雪分布的影响。结果表明：积雪像元在研究区范围内占比为33.1%。积雪的垂直分布特征明显：积雪在高程带4000~5000 m(高海拔)处分布较集中,积雪面积占比为18.1%;在高程带0~2000 m、2000~3000 m和6000~7000 m处积雪面积占比均不到0.1%。积雪在北坡、东北坡的分布比例较高,均为15%以上;在南坡、西坡、西南坡、东南坡分布比例较低,均为10%左右。将基于GF-1影像获取的积雪分布分别与同日获取的根据MODIS V6积雪产品计算的积雪比例(MODIS FSC)和积雪分布的对比表明,64.4%的MODIS FSC像元绝对误差不超过10%,MODIS积雪分布产品对含雪像元的漏分率和误分率平均为33.8%和32.7%,说明MODIS积雪产品在研究区的精度还具有较高的不确定性,其对低覆盖积雪反演的精度较差。这表明利用MODIS积雪产品研究青藏高原东南部积雪的时空变化特征时还需要对其积雪反演算法进行改进,同时亟需加强地面观测和基于多源遥感数据的积雪研究。研究结果可为青藏高原东南部雪冰灾害防治提供支撑。     

基于MODIS与AMSR-E数据的中国6大牧区草原积雪遥感监测研究

内蒙古、新疆、西藏、青海、甘肃和四川的草原区这6大牧区是中国重要的畜牧业生产基地,也是雪灾频发的区域,及时、准确地获取6大牧区雪情时空特征对于防灾减灾,指导畜牧业生产有着重要的现实意义。光学遥感与微波遥感各具优缺点,综合运用MODIS和AMSR-E数据构建草原积雪遥感监测模型,以日为监测单元,以旬为多日合成时段,对中国6大牧区在2008年10月上旬至2009年3月下旬间的草原积雪覆盖范围进行监测,并对监测结果进行检验,以此说明MODIS与AMSR-E数据在雪灾监测方面协同监测的可行性,为其他雪盖遥感监测研究提供参考。     

Application of time-lapse digital imagery for ground-truth verification of satellite indices in the boreal forests of Alaska

Satellite remote sensing studies of snow cover in high-latitude boreal forests require ground-truth verification based on ground observation networks. In this study, we used time-lapse digital images to precisely detect the extent of snow cover at nine locations in the boreal forests of Alaska, and to demonstrate the relationship of these ground-truth measurements to satellite indices of snow cover. Our results show that normalized difference vegetation indices (NDVIs) and normalized difference water indices (NDWIs) show significant variations at the end and beginning periods of continuous snow cover: the NDVIs on the last days of continuous snow cover ranged from 0.12 to 0.37, and those on the first days of continuous snow cover ranged from 0.16 to 0.38. The normalized difference snow indices (NDSIs) were also positive during periods of continuous snow cover and negative during periods of no snow cover. The NDWIs varied significantly from the beginning to the end of periods of continuous snow cover. This study confirms that continuous snow cover is important for accurate phenological studies using NDVIs in the region of the trans-Alaska camera network. Simple cameras can be effectively utilized in ground-based networks, functioning not only as a ground-truth verification tools for calibrating satellite indices, but also as a source of data to fill data gaps in satellite records.     

Spatiotemporal index for analyzing controls on snow climatology: application in the Colorado Front Range

Mountain snowpacks are important water supplies that are susceptible to climate change, yet snow measurements are sparse relative to snowpack heterogeneity. We used remote sensing to derive a spatiotemporal index of snow climatology that reveals patterns in snow accumulation, persistence, and ablation. Then we examined how this index relates to climate, terrain, and vegetation. Analyses were based on Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer eight-day snow cover from 2000 to 2010 for a mountain watershed in the Colorado Front Range, USA. The Snow Cover Index (SCI) was calculated as the fraction of years that were snow covered for each pixel. The proportion of SCI variability explained by independent variables was evaluated using regression analysis. Independent variables included elevation, northing, easting, slope, aspect, northness, solar radiation, precipitation, temperature, and vegetation cover. Elevation was the dominant control on SCI patterns, due to its influence on both temperature and precipitation. Grouping SCI values by elevation, we identified three distinct snow zones in the basin: persistent, transitional, and intermittent. The transitional snow zone represents an area that is sensitive to losing winter snowpack. The SCI can be applied to other basins or regions to identify dominant controls on snow cover patterns and areas sensitive to snow loss.     

南极冰盖表面物质平衡实测技术综述

研究南极冰盖的物质平衡状况是研究冰盖与全球海平面变化关系的基础性工作,也对重建冰芯古气候记录有重要意义。积累率是冰盖物质平衡计算中最重要的收入项。大空间尺度上的表面物质平衡信息只能通过遥感技术来获取。但因存在多源误差,仅靠遥感手段,冰盖物质平衡的信息难以准确获取,这是南极冰川学面临的最大挑战之一。因此实测数据不可或缺。表面物质平衡的实地测量有多种方法,如花杆、超声高度计(雪深仪)、雪层物理／化学层位法(比如雪坑、冰芯／雪芯积累率恢复,探冰雷达连续测量冰内等时层结构等)。本文对南极冰盖表面物质平衡的实地测量技术做一概述,对每种方法的特点进行了比较和讨论。     

GRAPES-SDM沙尘模式预报与卫星遥感监测结果对比

GRAPES-SDM沙尘模式和卫星遥感监测是目前沙尘暴监测预报业务中重要的工具.本文使用天气学检验方法,对中国气象局兰州干旱气象研究所目前使用的GRAPES-SDM沙尘模式2012年春季沙尘天气预报情况以及FY-2D卫星遥感产品沙尘指数IDDI的监测效果进行检验评估.结果表明:沙尘模式在西北沙尘暴预报业务中具有很好的预报参考价值,卫星遥感沙尘指数也具有较好的监测效果,但两者均存在一定的问题.沙尘模式对大范围沙尘暴过程有较好的预报能力,但对沙尘强度预报偏强;卫星遥感沙尘指数虽然不能定性地表示沙尘强度,但是在一定程度上能够反映沙尘强度的变化,不过反映沙尘强度的数值及其分布区间还有待于进一步完善.卫星遥感在南疆盆地常会将大片深厚的沙尘气溶胶区域误判为云区,造成对沙尘天气特别是沙尘暴天气未能识别的现象,另外IDDI指数不能用于夜间沙尘监测.     

基于NDVI的新疆荒漠地区植被覆盖度遥感估算经验模型研究

新疆荒漠地区植被覆盖度遥感估算模型十分缺乏,给荒漠化监测等相关工作带来很大不便,开展植被覆盖度遥感估算经验模型研究,对于促进和完善相关地区的生态监测及研究工作具有积极的现实意义。通过对阜康市北部沙漠南缘和克拉玛依市中部平原荒漠进行无人机航拍,利用无人机遥感提取（光合）植被信息,并将无人机航拍影像的植被覆盖度统计单元与高分辨率卫星影像像元在空间上直接相对应,获取在高分辨率卫星影像像元尺度上的植被盖度,然后通过植被覆盖度和空间上与其相对应的源自高分辨率卫星影像的NDVI数据的拟合关系,建立基于源自高分二号影像的NDVI的阜康北部沙漠植被覆盖度遥感估算线性模型以及基于源自ZY1-02C影像的NDVI的克拉玛依平原荒漠植被覆盖度遥感估算二次多项式模型。研究中所采用的无人机遥感与卫星遥感相结合、植被覆盖度统计单元与卫星像元在空间上直接对应的方法,可避免以往相关工作中常以点位测量数据代表卫星像元数据所带来的不确定性。由于所用卫星影像的NDVI数据稳定性相对不足等原因,所建立的遥感估算模型的估算精度尚相对偏低,有待于今后进一步的工作加以改进。     

利用微波遥感土壤水分产品监测东北地区春涝范围和程度

地表土壤水分是判断农田涝害的直接数据源,以欧洲太空局1978~2010 年微波遥感土壤水分产品、2013 年SMOS MIRAS L3 级土壤水分产品和气象站点的月降水数据为基础,结合土壤水分距平指数和土壤水分异常指数,分析2013 年东北地区春涝影响范围和严重程度。结果表明:① 东北地区以黑龙江省受涝面积最大,约11 万km²,约占黑龙江省总面积的1/4;② 比较多年的月降水数据与涝灾程度,发现冬春季节强降水是引发春涝的主要原因之一;③ 春涝的严重程度与高程呈现负相关关系,涝灾区域多集中在高程500 m以下。     

Meltwater production in Antarctic blue-ice areas: sensitivity to changes in atmospheric forcing

In the near coastal regions of Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica, below-surface ice-melt in blue-ice areas has been observed. The low scattering coefficients of the large-grained blue-ice allow penetration of solar radiation, thus providing an energy source below the ice surface. The sub-surface meltwater is significant enough to show up on remote-sensing imagery in the form of ice-covered lakes. Adjacent snow-accumulation areas have much higher scattering coefficients and consequently limit solar radiation penetration in these regions. These snow and ice surfaces are generally below freezing, and little surface melting occurs. To assess the response of these melt features to changes in atmospheric forcings such as cloudiness, air temperature, and snow accumulation, a physically-based model of the coupled atmosphere, radiation, snow, and blue-ice system has been developed. The model consists of a heat transfer equation with a spectrally-dependent solar-radiation source term. The penetration of radiation into the snow and blue-ice depends on the surface albedo, and the snow and blue-ice grain size and density. Model simulations show that ice melt occurring in this area is sensitive to potential variations in atmospheric forcing. Under certain conditions more traditional surface melting occurs and, under other conditions, the existing melt processes can be shut down completely. In light of the sensitivity of this system to variations in atmospheric forcing, and the ability to view melt-related features using remote sensing, a tool exists to efficiently monitor variations in Antarctic coastal climate.     

夜间灯光遥感数据应用综述和展望

在遥感应用研究中,夜间灯光遥感作为发展活跃的一个重要分支,近年来受到越来越多来自自然科学领域和社会经济领域的关注。与传统的光学遥感卫星获取地物辐射信息不同,夜间灯光遥感是获取夜间无云条件下地表发射的可见光-近红外电磁波信息。相比于普通的遥感卫星影像,夜间灯光遥感所使用的夜间灯光影像记录的地表灯光强度信息更直接反映人类活动差异,因而被广泛应用于城市化进程研究、不透水面提取、社会经济指标空间化估算、重大事件评估、生态环境评估等领域。目前,虽然基于夜间灯光数据的应用研究成果正在不断积累,但对成果的系统性总结、整理的研究目前存在着覆盖面不全、时效性不强等不足。基于此,论文通过对近几十年来有关夜间灯光数据的研究成果的详细梳理,从数据处理与技术方法、应用研究等方面进行归纳总结。最后,文章从多源数据融合、应用领域拓展和短周期地表灯光监测3个方面指出了未来的研究热点。     

基于遥感监测的城市热岛研究进展

全球正经历快速、高强度的城市化,导致城市热岛加剧,并对城市、区域乃至全球许多的生态环境要素直接或间接地产生多方面的影响,与人类福祉密切相关。遥感具有宽覆盖、信息量大、重复观测周期短等优点,已成为地表城市热岛(Surface Urban Heat Island, SUHI)监测广泛采用的一种方法。针对前人相关研究对热红外数据源、监测指标及SUHI时空变化规律尚缺乏系统总结且内容需要更新等问题,本文首先分类评述了SUHI遥感监测所采用的热红外遥感数据源。其次将现有的SUHI监测指标分为土地覆盖类型驱动型、地表温度格局驱动型及两者复合驱动型3类来述评,详细介绍了它们的计算方法、应用案例及优缺点;并从日间变化、夜间变化及昼夜对比的变化3个方面述评了SUHI的年内时空变化规律;归纳了其年际变化规律。最后,依据现有研究结论中相互冲突或尚需深化的地方,指出几个潜在的关键问题或研究方向。     

Glaciers in Svalbard: mass balance, runoff and freshwater flux

Gain or loss of the freshwater stored in Svalbard glaciers has both global implications for sea level and, on a more local scale, impacts upon the hydrology of rivers and the freshwater flux to fjords. This paper gives an overview of the potential runoff from the Svalbard glaciers. The freshwater flux from basins of different scales is quantified. In small basins (A < 10 km²), the extra runoff due to the negative mass balance of the glaciers is related to the proportion of glacier cover and can at present yield more than 20% higher runoff than if the glaciers were in equilibrium with the present climate. This does not apply generally to the ice masses of Svalbard, which are mostly much closer to being in balance. The total surface runoff from Svalbard glaciers due to melting of snow and ice is roughly 25 ± 5 km³ a⁻¹, which corresponds to a specific runoff of 680 ± 140 mm a⁻¹, only slightly more than the annual snow accumulation. Calving of icebergs from Svalbard glaciers currently contributes significantly to the freshwater flux and is estimated to be 4 ± 1 km³ a⁻¹ or about 110 mm a⁻¹.