Study on mass balance and sensitivity to climate change in summer on the Qiyi Glacier, Qilian Mountains

Based on the glacier mass balance and meteorological data of air temperature and precipitation on the Qiyi Glacier from June 30 to September 5, 2010, we used a degree-day mass balance model to simulate the change of mass balance during this period. Our results indicate that the current value of the mass balance is ?856.2 mm w.e. Subjected to the strong influences of air temperature and precipitation, the mass balance process can be divided into three stages: accumulating exiguously → melting intensively → melting exiguously. The variation trends of the mass balance according to the degree-day mass balance model and the observed values are similar and wholly reflect the spatial distribution characteristics of the glacier mass balance, which increases with the increase of altitude. Our experiment on climate sensitivity of the mass balance showed that mass balance was very sensitive to the change of temperature; air temperature is the key factor which influences mass balance; and a slight increase in precipitation will have a negligible effect on mass balance when the air temperature increases continuously.     

Variations of albedo and spectral reflectance on Qiyi Glacier in Qilian Mountains during the ablation season

Based on the data observed at two sites (site H1, 4,473 m a.s.l., and site H2, 4,696 m a.s.l.) on Qiyi Glacier in Qilian Mountains, China, by automatic weather station and spectral pyranometer during the period of June 9 through September 27, 2006, we investigated the temporal and spatial variations in surface albedo and spectral reflectance on the glacier. At site H1, the daily mean surface albedos fluctuated between 0.233 and 0.866, which were significantly affected by the air temperature on the glacier. It was found that the albedos clearly showed a diurnal cycle with the lowest value at noon at the two observation sites over the study period, and the difference of albedos between the upper site H2 and the lower site H1 also showed diurnal cycle but with the highest value at noon. The reflectance on the glacier was higher in the ultraviolet (0.28-0.4 μm) and visible (0.4-0.76 μm) wavelengths, lower in the near infrared wavelength (0.76-3 μm), which is quite contrary to the spectral reflectance on other ground surfaces. At the two observation sites, the spectral reflectance declined in all wavelengths with the ablation of snow generally. However, it declined drastically in ultraviolet (0.28-0.4 μm) and 0.6-0.7 μm wavelength, and declined less in 0.4-0.5 μm wavelength. On fresh snow surface, the spectral reflectance had the high values of 0.983 and 0.815 in the ultraviolet and visible (0.4-0.76 μm) wavelengths, respectively; but it had a relatively lower value of 0.671 in near infrared (0.76-3 μm) wavelengths. However, on dirty and melting ice surfaces, the reflectance had the very low values of 0.305 and 0.256 in the ultraviolet and visible wavelengths, with the lowest value of 0.082 in near infrared wavelengths. The spectral reflectance also showed a diurnal cycle like that of albedo. The diurnal variations of spectral reflectance on snow surface in ultraviolet and visible wavelength changed to a greater degree than that on ice surface. The diurnal variation curves were asymmetrical before and after t     

Glacier changes in the Qilian Mountains in the past half-century: Based on the revised First and Second Chinese Glacier Inventory

Glaciers are the most important fresh-water resources in arid and semi-arid regions of western China. According to the Second Chinese Glacier Inventory (SCGI), primarily compiled from Landsat TM/ETM+ images, the Qilian Mountains had 2684 glaciers covering an area of 1597.81±70.30 km2 and an ice volume of ~84.48 km³ from 2005 to 2010. While most glaciers are small (85.66% are <1.0 km²), some larger ones (12.74% in the range 1.0–5.0 km²) cover 42.44% of the total glacier area. The Laohugou Glacier No.12 (20.42 km²) located on the north slope of the Daxue Range is the only glacier >20 km² in the Qilian Mountains. Median glacier elevation was 4972.7 m and gradually increased from east to west. Glaciers in the Qilian Mountains are distributed in Gansu and Qinghai provinces, which have 1492 glaciers (760.96 km²) and 1192 glaciers (836.85 km²), respectively. The Shule River basin contains the most glaciers in both area and volume. However, the Heihe River, the second largest inland river in China, has the minimum average glacier area. A comparison of glaciers from the SCGI and revised glacier inventory based on topographic maps and aerial photos taken from 1956 to 1983 indicate that all glaciers have receded, which is consistent with other mountain and plateau areas in western China. In the past half-century, the area and volume of glaciers decreased by 420.81 km² (–20.88%) and 21.63 km³ (–20.26%), respectively. Glaciers with areas <1.0 km² decreased the most in number and area recession. Due to glacier shrinkage, glaciers below 4000 m completely disappeared. Glacier changes in the Qilian Mountains presented a clear longitudinal zonality, i.e., the glaciers rapidly shrank in the east but slowly in the central-west. The primary cause of glacier recession was warming temperatures, which was slightly mitigated with increased precipitation.     

祁连山冰川变化及其脆弱性

Glaciers are a reliable freshwater resource in arid regions of West China and the vulnerability of its changes is closely related to regional ecosystem services and economic sustainable development. Here, we took the Qilian Mountains as an example and analyzed the spatiotemporal characteristics of glacier changes from 1998 to 2018, based on remote sensing images and the Second Chinese Glacier Inventory. We estimated the basic organizational framework and evaluation index system of glacier change vulnerability from exposure, sensitivity and adaptability, which covered the factors of physical geography, population status and socio-economic level. We analyzed the spatial and temporal evolutions of glacier change vulnerability by using the vulnerability evaluation model. Our results suggested that:(1) Glacier area and volume decreased by 71.12±98.98 km² and 5.59±4.41 km³, respectively, over the recent two decades, which mainly occurred at the altitude below 4800 m, with an area shrinking rate of 2.5%. In addition, glaciers in the northern aspect(northwest, north and northeast) had the largest area reduction. Different counties exhibited remarkable discrepancies in glacier area reduction, Tianjuan and Minle presented the maximum and minimum decrease, respectively.(2) Glacier change vulnerability level showed a decreasing trend in space from the central to the northwestern and southeastern regions with remarkable differences. Vulnerability level had increased significantly over time and was mainly concentrated in moderate, high and extreme levels with typical characteristics of phases and regional complexity. Our study can not only help to understand and master the impacts of recent glacier changes on natural and social aspects but also be conducive to evaluate the influences of glacier retreat on socio-economic developments in the future, thus providing references for formulating relevant countermeasures to achieve regional sustainable development.     

The change of Ningchan River Glacier No. 3 at Lenglongling, east Qilian Mountain, China

In July, 2009, we investigated the Ningchan River Glacier No. 3. A control network was established around the glacier and the expedition used a GPS-RTK to measure glacial area, terminal and surface altitude, and used an EKKO GPR to measure glacier thickness. We used a topographic map based on 1972 aerial photo, two TM images in 1995, 2009, and GPS-RTK data in 2009, to analyze the change of the Ningchan River Glacier No. 3 since 1972. Through analysis we found this glacier has been seriously shrinking over the past 37 years. The glacier terminal retreated about 6%, the area was reduced about 13.1%, the volume was reduced about 35.3%, and glacier shrinkage is mainly in the form of thinning. Glacier average thickness reduced from 36.8 m in 1972, to 27.4 m in 2009. Meteorological data around the study area shows that this region in recent decades has undergone differential warming which is the main reason for rapid glacier shrinkage.     

Source and environmental significance of oxalate in Laohugou Glacier No. 12, Qilian Mountains,Western China

Retrieval of oxalate from snow and ice provides information on past environmental changes. In recent years, records of organic acids in middle-and low-latitude glaciers have attracted the attention of researchers globally. In this study, we analyzed oxalates in an ice core from Laohugou Glacier No. 12 on the Qilian Mountains at an elevation of 5,040 m a.s.l. in2006. Average oxalate concentration was 18.5±2.4 ng/g over the prior 46 years. Oxalate values showed a significantly increasing trend since 1985. From 1985 to 1995, oxalate concentrations had large fluctuations, peaking in about 1987 and exhibiting a slightly decreasing trend since 1995. The result shows that the abrupt increase of oxalate concentration in the ice core since the mid-1980 s reflects atmospheric environmental pollution by human and industrial activities.     

Evaluation and spatiotemporal characteristics of glacier service value in the Qilian Mountains

Journal of Geographical Sciences - Glaciers provide essential resources and services for human well-being and so-cio-economic development in arid regions. It is of great significance for regional...     

The movement features analysis of Laohugou Glacier No. 12 in Qilian Mountains

The Laohugou Glacier No. 12 is the largest valley glacier in Qilian Mountains, which is located in northern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Movement is the basic characteristic of glaciers, and is also an important distinction from other terrestrial natural ice. Glacier changes not only reflect climate change, but also play an important role in humanity society. In the arid regions of western China, glaciers are becoming an important water source. We use the GPS receiver (South-Lingrui S82) as data platform with the aid of RTK measurement technology to observe the surface velocity of Laohugou Glacier No. 12. Surface velocity data shows that the maximum value appears at an altitude of 4,750–4,850 m during the period of 2008–2009. During this period, the west branch surface velocity reached 32.6 m per year at an altitude near 4,830 m, the east branch surface velocity reached 32.4 m per year at the altitude near 4,770 m. Comparing the surface velocity data during 2008–2009 with observation results in 1959, the glacier velocity slowed down about 11%.     

Variations of the alpine precipitation from an ice core record of the Laohugou glacier basin during 1960-2006 in western Qilian Mountains,China

The net accumulation record of ice core is one of the most reliable indicators for reconstructing precipitation changes in high mountains. A 20.12 m ice core was drilled in 2006 from the accumulation zone of Laohugou Glacier No.12 in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau, China. We obtained the precipitation from the ice core net accumulation during 1960-2006, and found out the relationship between Laohugou ice core record and other data from surrounding sites of the northeastern Tibetan Plateau. Results showed that during 1960-2006, the precipitation in the high mountains showed firstly an increasing trend, while during 1980 to 2006 it showed an obvious decreasing trend. Reconstructed precipitation change in the Laohugou glacier basin was consistent with the measured data from the nearby weather stations in the lower mountain of Subei, and the correlation coefficient was 0.619 (P<0.001). However, the precipitation in the high mountain was about 3 times more than that of the lower mountain. The precipitation in Laohugou Glacier No.12 of the western Qilian Mountains corresponded well to the net accumulation of Dunde ice core during the same period, tree-ring reconstructed precipitation, the measured data of multiple meteorological stations in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau, and also the changes of adjacent PDSI drought index. Precipitation changes of the Laohugou glacier basin and other sites of the northeastern Tibetan Plateau had significantly positive correlation with ENSO, which implied that the regional alpine precipitation change was very likely to be influenced by ENSO.     

近25 a布喀达坂峰冰川变化与气候的响应

利用面向对象分类方法,从Landsat影像中提取了1990年、2000年、2010年、2015年4期布喀达坂峰地区冰川空间分布数据,并利用GIS技术分析研究区最近25 a来冰川变化,探讨了冰川对气候变化的响应关系。结果表明：布喀达坂峰冰川总面积退缩了7.28 km²,退缩速率为0.29 km²·a^-1,占1990年的1.78%,且1990-2000年、2000-2010年、2010-2015年各个时段内冰川退缩速率呈较快-快-慢的状态,不同朝向的冰川退缩速率略有差异,南坡山谷冰川退缩速率最快,北坡坡面冰川次之,中段平顶冰川退缩速率最慢;冰川表面运动速度沿中流线向冰川侧脊和冰川末端递减,符合冰川运动一般规律,而不同类型的冰川其表面运动速度的时空变化具有差异性。研究发现,夏季均温的显著升高和年降水量的缓慢增加的共同作用是引起布喀达坂峰冰川退缩的主要原因。此外,地势条件和冰川自身结构等因素对冰川变化的作用也不容忽视。     

Catastrophic detachment and high-velocity long-runout flow of Kolka Glacier, Caucasus Mountains, Russia in 2002

In September 2002, a catastrophic geomorphic event occurred in the Caucasus Mountains, southern Russia, in which almost the entire mass of Kolka Glacier detached from its bed, accelerated to a very high velocity (max. 65–80 m/s), and traveled a total distance of 19 km downstream as a glacier-debris flow. Based on the interpretation of satellite imagery obtained only 8.5 h before the event occurred, the analysis of seismograms from nearby seismic stations, and subsequent detailed field observations and measurements, we suggest that this remarkable event was not a response to impulse loading from a rock avalanche in the mountainside above the glacier, or to glacier surging, but due entirely to the static and delayed catastrophic response of the Kolka glacier to ice and debris loading over a period of months prior to the September 20 detachment. We reconstruct the glacier-debris flow using field observations in conjunction with the interpretation of seismographs from nearby seismic stations and successfully simulate the behaviour (runout, velocity, and deposition) of the post-detachment glacier-debris flow using a three-dimensional analytical model. Our demonstration of a standing-start hypothesis in the 2002 Kolka Glacier detachment has substantial implications for glacier hazard assessment and risk management strategies in valleys downstream from unstable debris-covered glaciers in the mountain regions of the world.     

祁连山西段冰川积雪中大气粉尘沉积特征

基于2012 年夏季野外考察、微粒粒度测试和扫描电镜(SEM-EDX) 微观形貌观测研究, 对位于我国青藏高原东北缘的祁连山西段典型极大陆型冰川区老虎沟12 号冰川、野牛沟十一冰川积雪中大气粉尘沉积进行了分析研究。两冰川区积雪中微粒的平均质量浓度分别是3461 μg/kg、2876 μg/kg, 年均沉积通量分别是207.6 μg/cm²、143.8 μg/cm²。将本研究区与其他区域冰川积雪中粉尘浓度对比研究表明, 冰川受周边粉尘源区影响较大。雪坑微粒浓度剖面和离子相关性分析表明, 祁连山西段冰川积雪中污化层富含亚洲粉尘的富Ca²⁺、Na⁺矿物;微粒体积-粒径分布众数介于3~22 μm, 两冰川区的粒径众数分别为12.6 μm和12 μm, 粒径分布均显示了单结构模式, 同时反映了祁连山冰川区与毗邻的天山地区雪冰中粉尘粒径分布模式的相似性和粒径众数的差异性。通过SEM-EDX对粉尘颗粒的微观结构研究发现, 颗粒绝大多数为形貌不规则的矿物粉尘颗粒, 和很少数量的飞灰颗粒等。同时, 对粉尘来源结合Sr-Nd同位素测定和气团后向轨迹分析进行验证, 认为位于研究区北边的巴丹吉林沙漠是祁连山12号冰川区粉尘最可能的源区。     

天山奎屯河哈希勒根51号冰川变化监测结果分析

哈希勒根51号冰川位于新疆奎屯市以南的天山依连哈比尔尕山北坡,即奎屯河上游支流哈希勒根河源区。1999年8月,在该冰川上布设了用于冰川变化观测研究的测杆18根;同时,在冰川外围测定了2个基本控制点和3个冰川末端变化观测控制点,运用GPS和全站仪等观测技术及测杆实测等方法,对该冰川进行了末端和运动速度变化的首次观测。嗣后,每年的8月底～9月初进行了重复观测;并在2000年和2006年对该冰川进行了测量制图。通过实测资料分析并对比20世纪60年代冰川状况,结果表明:42年来冰川末端累计退缩了84.51 m,其中,1964-1999年间退缩了49.00 m,年平均退缩量为1.40 m/a;1999-2006年间退缩了35.51 m,年平均退缩量5.07m/a。冰川面积减少了0.123 km~2或8.3%,其中,1964-2000年间减少了0.083 km~2;2000-2006年间减少了0.040 km~2。明显地反映出冰川末端退缩加剧和冰川面积减少增大的趋势。冰川年平均运动速度在1.53～3.05 m/a之间,并有逐年减小的趋势。     

Movement and variation of four typical glaciers in the Qilian Mountains, northwestern China

We selected four typical glaciers in the Qilian Mountains and investigated their movements and variation using advanced technologies such as remote sensing,photographic measurements,and global positioning systems.The velocity of glacier movements in the Qilian Mountains is relatively low,and there has been no significant variation during the past 50 years.Glacier motion has maintained a normal style.The movement velocity of Laohugou Glacier No.12 presented a decreasing trend(by 48%) from 1960 to 2012.The movement velocity of the Qiyi Glacier also presented a decreasing trend(by 48.1%) from 1958 to 2012; it decreased by 29.4% from 1958 to 1977 and by 26.5% from 1977 to 2012.Therefore,the Qiyi Glacier's movement velocity varied greatly over the earlier 20 years(1958–1977),but presented a small decreasing trend during the latter 30 years(1977–2012).By comparing the movement velocity variation of these typical glaciers,we determined that the extent of variation was consistent among large glaciers(such as Laohugou Glacier No.12) and small glaciers(such as the Qiyi Glacier and Yanglonghe Glacier No.5),despite their different sizes.     

无人机在冰川变化监测中的应用——以唐古拉山小冬克玛底冰川为例

近年来,无人机技术发展迅速。无人机的灵活、便携、超高分辨率等特性使其在冰川变化监测上具有很好的发展前景。论文以青藏高原腹地的唐古拉山小冬克玛底冰川为例,首次在海拔5400 m以上的地区开展了无人机航测,通过非冰川区的基岩对2019年7月20日、2019年9月27日和2020年7月16日3期航测产品进行相对校正,分析了小冬克玛底冰川在物质平衡年和消融期内的变化情况,并进一步讨论了无人机在冰川区观测时所遇到的问题及其优势,以期为后续研究提供参考。结果表明:利用无人机技术能够实现冰川在消融期内的末端、面积以及高程变化监测,并对冰川的细部特征进行分析,适合于小区域单条冰川的变化监测。     

细胞周期监测点激酶2突变与乳腺癌相关的研究进展

细胞周期检测点激酶2（checkpoint kinase 2,CHEK2）是由CHEK2基因编码的DNA双链断裂损伤的重要信号转导蛋白,参与G₁期、S期和G₂/M期的阻滞。CHEK2基因突变和乳腺癌病理特征与预后相关,是乳腺癌重要的易感基因。CHEK2有1100delC、Y390C以及I157T等多种突变形式,通过多条不同通路,如SDF-1和IL-6、BRCA1/2等影响细胞周期监测点的功能。在化疗方面,寻找CHEK2抑制剂以增强化疗或放疗对肿瘤细胞的杀伤效果也是当前的研究热点之一。本文针对乳腺癌中CHEK2突变的形式、机制以及可能的治疗靶点做一综述。     

祁连山北麓地貌信息熵与山体演化阶段分析

利用定量化的手段分析地貌演化的阶段和趋势,是地貌学研究领域的一个重大的理论课题。在地理信息系统软件ArcGIS和ArcView的支持下,利用数字高程模型提取祁连山北麓的河网和流域。利用Strahler积分计算了各个流域的地貌信息熵,按照主夷平面的高度将祁连山北麓的各个流域分为不同的部分,它们具有不同的地貌信息熵值。结果显示,祁连山地区正在进入戴维斯侵蚀旋回的幼年期阶段。     

我国医学生死亡教育实施及研究述评

The degree-day model is one important method to estimate glacier melt, which is based on the specific relationship between glacial melting and the sum of daily mean temperatures above the melting point. According to the observation data on the Koxkar Glacier(KG) from 2005 to 2010, we analyzed the temporal and spatial variation of degree-day factors(DDF) and its influential factors. The results indicate that the average value of DDF was 7.2~10.4 mm/(°C·d) on the KG from 2005 to 2010. It showed a decreasing trend between 3,700 m and 4,200 m, and the deceasing trend was more obvious in the upper part of the KG. On a spatial scale, the DDF increased evidently with increasing altitude. The DDF ranged from3.6 to 9.3 mm/(°C·d) at 3,700 m a.s.l., with the average value of 9.3 mm/(°C·d). It varied from 6.9 to 13.0 mm/(°C·d) at4,000 m a.s.l., with the average value of 10.2 mm/(°C·d). During the period of ablation, the fluctuation of DDF was not significant at the lower altitude(3,700 m a.s.l.), but it decreased at the higher altitudes(4,000 m a.s.l. and 4,200 m a.s.l.).The debris changes the transmission of heat, which accelerates the melting of a glacier; and the DDF showed high value.This paper will provide the reference for temporal–spatial parameterization schemes of DDF on Tuomuer glaciers of the Tianshan Mountains.     

中亚天山山区冰雪变化及其对区域水资源的影响

冰川和积雪是构成山区固体水库的主体,对区域水资源稳定性具有调节功能,但深受气候变化的影响。以中亚天山为研究区域,基于长时间序列的观测数据,分别从冰川、积雪、水储量、径流等方面进行分析,并选取阿克苏河、开都河及乌鲁木齐河3个典型流域,研究天山山区冰雪变化对流域水资源的影响。结果表明：① 冰川退缩速率与面积的函数关系为f（x） = -0.53×x^-0.15 （R² = 0.42,RMSE = 0.086）,说明小型冰川对气候变化的响应更为敏感。同时,中低海拔区域的冰川退缩速率大于高海拔区域;② 2003-2015年天山山区水储量的递减速率为-0.7±1.53 cm/a,天山中部区域的递减速率最大,这一结果与该区域冰川急剧退缩相吻合;③ 近半个多世纪以来,冰雪融水径流增加是这3个典型流域径流量增加的主要原因,其中阿克苏河增幅最大（达0.4×10⁸ m³/a）。但自20世纪90年代中期以来,3个流域的径流量都呈减少趋势,与流域内冰川面积减少、厚度变薄及平衡线海拔升高的关系密切。研究结果揭示了气候变化驱动下的山区固态水体储量变化对流域水资源的影响机制,以期为流域水资源管理提供有价值的决策参考。     

2000-2012年祁连山植被覆盖变化及其与气候因子的相关性

研究祁连山地区植被覆盖变化及其与气候因子的响应关系对这一地区土地利用总体特征以及对区域及全球气候和环境变化都将产生深远的意义。利用2000-2012年美国国家航空航天局提供的MODIS NDVI数据并结合相应的气候资料,通过对逐像元信息的提取和分析,运用均值法、斜率分析法、相关分析法,研究了2000-2012年不同季节祁连山植被覆盖的时空变化及其与气候因子的相关性。结果表明:13 a来祁连山植被覆盖整体上呈增加趋势,其中春季植被改善最为明显,秋季次之;植被覆盖变化在不同季节都存在明显的空间差异;不同季节植被与气温、降水的时滞效应不尽相同;祁连山春季大部分地区NDVI与气温呈显著正相关,夏季NDVI与降水呈显著正相关,秋、冬季NDVI与降水、气温的相关性不明显。