Abstract ID: 3.11659 | Accepted as Poster | Poster | TBA | TBA

The study aims to determine the influence of BC on snowmelt at Vallunaraju Glacier, Peru and Puruogangri Glacier, China. Snow samples were collected along an altitudinal gradient from the summit to the glacier front at both sites. The samples were then filtered through 25 mm quartz membranes and analyzed using the Light Absorption Heating Method (LAHM) to estimate BC concentration. The results obtained were integrated into the Snow, Ice, and Aerosol Radiative Model (SNICAR) to estimate albedo reduction, radiative forcing, and the impact of BC on snowmelt melting. At Puruogangri Glacier (Tibetan Plateau), the mean BC concentration was 62.70 ng/g of snow (ranging from 8.52 ng/g at the summit to 187.09 ng/g at the glacier front). These BC values represent a reduction in snow albedo of 3% to 14% (average: 6%), a radiative forcing of 0.34 W/m2 at the summit and 1.76 W/m2 at the glacier front, and an average snowmelt of 56.85 kg/m2 across the ice sheet. At the Vallunaraju glacier (Cordillera Blanca), the mean BC concentration was significantly higher (374.78 ng/g of snow), with values of 11.91 ng/g at the summit and up to 1144.78 ng/g in the lower part of the glacier. These BC values represent a reduction in snow albedo between 4% and 60% with an average of 36%. A radiative forcing of 0.49 W/m2 at the summit and 14.25 W/m2 at the glacier front. And an average snow melt of 315.04 kg/m2 throughout the glacier. The results indicate that the concentration of BC in the Vallunaraju glacier (Peru) is approximately six times higher than in the Puruogangri glacier (China). This implies that BC has a greater influence on the melting of the Vallunaraju glacier, by reducing the snow albedo (36%) and contributing with a greater radiative forcing (up to 14.25 W/m2), which implies a greater melting of snow (315.04 kg/m2).