Spatial-Temporal Variation of Snow Black Carbon Concentration in Snow Cover in Northeast China from 2001 to 2016 Based on Remote Sensing

Yanjiao Zheng, Lijuan Zhang, Wenliang Li, Fan Zhang and Xinyue Zhong
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Yanjiao Zheng: Information Service in Cold Regions, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China
Lijuan Zhang: Information Service in Cold Regions, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China
Wenliang Li: Department of Geography, Environment and Sustainability, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27412, USA
Fan Zhang: Information Service in Cold Regions, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China
Xinyue Zhong: Key Laboratory of Remote Sensing of Gansu Province, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Lanzhou 730000, China

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 2, 1-21

Abstract: The amount of black carbon (BC) on snow surface can significantly reduce snow surface albedo in the visible-light range and change the surface radiative forcing effect. Therefore, it is key to study regional and global climate changes to understand the BC concentration on snow. In this study, we simulated the BC concentration on the surface snow of northeast China using an asymptotic radiative transfer model. From 2001 to 2016, the BC concentration showed no significant increase, with an average increase of 82.104 ng/g compared with that in the early 21st century. The concentration of BC in December was the largest (1344.588 ng/g) and decreased in January and February (1248.619 ng/g and 983.635 ng/g, respectively). The high black carbon content centers were concentrated in the eastern and central regions with dense populations and concentrated industries, with a concentration above 1200 ng/g, while the BC concentration in the southwest region with less human activities was the lowest (below 850 ng/g), which indicates that human activities played an important role in snow BC pollution. Notably, Heilongjiang province has the highest concentration, which may be related to its atmospheric stability in winter. These findings suggest that the BC pollution in northeast China has been aggravated from 2001 to 2016. It is estimated that the snow surface albedo will decrease by 16.448% due to the BC pollution of snow in northeast China. The problem of radiative forcing caused by black carbon to snow reflectivity cannot be ignored.

Keywords: snow cover; black carbon concentration; radiative forcing; northeast China (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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