Impact of Black Carbon on the Surface Energy and Mass Balance of the Huaytapallana Glacier in the Junín Region, Peru

Abstract ID: 3.13755
|Review Result Accepted as Poster
|Abstract registered Abstract is registered
|Presentation Time Slot TBA
|Presentation Location TBA
Cashpa Carrion, V. H. (1)
Villalobos Puma, E. (1); Fashé Raymundo, O. (2); Silva Vidal, F. Y. (3); Torres Ramos, C. (4); and Cruz Encarnación, R. (5)
(1) Instituto Nacional de Investigación en Glaciares y Ecosistemas de Montaña, Av. Antonio Miroquesada 457 - Oficina 401 edificio corporativo ABC, Magdalena del Mar, 15081, Lima, Perú
(2) Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Av. Carlos Germán Amezaga #375, Cercado de Lima, 15081, Lima, Perú
(3) Instituto Geofísico del Perú, Calle Badajoz Mz.Ñ Lt 08 y 09 , Urb. Mayorazgo 4ta Etapa, Ate, 15081, Lima, Perú
(4) Universidad Do Rio Grande, Calle Visconde de Paranaguá, 102, barrio Centro, 96200-000, Rio Grande, Brasil
(5) Autoridad Nacional del Agua, Av. Confraternidad Internacional Oeste N° 167, Huaraz, 15081, Ancash, Perú
How to cite: Cashpa Carrion, V. H.; Villalobos Puma, E.; Fashé Raymundo, O.; Silva Vidal, F. Y.; Torres Ramos, C.; and Cruz Encarnación, R.: Impact of Black Carbon on the Surface Energy and Mass Balance of the Huaytapallana Glacier in the Junín Region, Peru, International Mountain Conference 2025, Innsbruck, Sep 14 - 18 2025, #IMC25-3.13755, 2025.
Categories: Cryo- & Hydrosphere
Keywords: Black Carbon, Albedo, Surface Energy Balance, Surface Mass Balance
Categories: Cryo- & Hydrosphere
Keywords: Black Carbon, Albedo, Surface Energy Balance, Surface Mass Balance
Abstract

Recent research conducted on various glaciers worldwide has revealed a significant increase in Black Carbon (BC) concentrations, reaching up to 500% compared to pre-industrial times. In addition, there is still considerable uncertainty regarding the effects of these concentrations on mountain ecosystems such as glaciers and water resources. Therefore, in order to address this issue, the present research aims to estimate the impact of BC on the Surface Energy Balance (SEB) and Surface Mass Balance (SMB) of the Huaytapallana glacier, located in the department of Junín – Peru, during the period from May 2022 to October 2024. To achieve this, in situ BC observations were used alongside a Snow and ice albedo modelling in Python (BioSNICAR) and a Coupled snowpack and ice Surface energy and mass balance model in Python (COSIPY). Furthermore, meteorological and atmospheric BC data measured at over 4700 m a.s.l., as well as ERA5 reanalysis data were used to force the models. The results reveal that the presence of BC on the glacier surface increased the SEB by up to 35 W/m², leading to a more negative SMB of up to 50 cm water equivalent. In conclusion, this research demonstrates that it is feasible to quantify the impact of BC on the dynamics of Peruvian glaciers and shows that the presence of BC causes a significant loss of glacier mass.