scholarly journals Decay of a long-term monitored glacier: Careser Glacier (Ortles-Cevedale, European Alps)

2013 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 1819-1838 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Carturan ◽  
C. Baroni ◽  
M. Becker ◽  
A. Bellin ◽  
O. Cainelli ◽  
...  

Abstract. The continuation of valuable, long-term glacier observation series is threatened by the accelerated mass loss which currently affects a large portion of so-called "benchmark" glaciers. In this work we present the evolution of the Careser Glacier, from the beginning of systematic observation at the end of the 19th century to its current condition in 2012. In addition to having one of the longest and richest observation records among the Italian glaciers, Careser is unique in the Italian Alps for its 46 yr mass balance series that started in 1967. In the present study, variations in the length, area and volume of the glacier since 1897 are examined, updating and validating the series of direct mass balance observations and adding to the mass balance record into the past using the geodetic method. The glacier is currently strongly out of balance and in rapid decay; its average mass loss rate over the last 3 decades was 1.5 m water equivalent per year, increasing to 2.0 m water equivalent per year in the last decade. Although these rates are not representative at a regional scale, year-to-year variations in mass balance show an unexpected increase in correlation with other glaciers in the Alps, during the last 3 decades. If mass loss continues at this pace, the glacier will disappear within a few decades, putting an end to this unique observation series.

2013 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 3293-3335 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Carturan ◽  
C. Baroni ◽  
M. Becker ◽  
A. Bellin ◽  
O. Cainelli ◽  
...  

Abstract. The continuation of valuable, long-term glacier observation series is threatened by the accelerated mass loss which currently affects a large portion of so-called "benchmark" glaciers. In this work we present the evolution of the Careser glacier, from the beginning of systematic observation at the end of the nineteenth century to its current condition in 2012. In addition to having one of the longest and richest observation record among the Italian glaciers, Careser is unique in the Italian Alps for its 45 yr mass balance series started in 1967. In the present study, variations in the length, area and volume of the glacier since 1897 are examined, updating the series of direct mass balance observations and extending it into the past using the geodetic method. The glacier is currently strongly out of balance and in rapid decay; its average mass loss rate over the last three decades was −1.5 m water equivalent per year, increasing to −2.0 m water equivalent per year in the last decade. If mass loss continues at this pace, the glacier will disappear within a few decades, putting an end to this unique observation series.


2013 ◽  
Vol 59 (216) ◽  
pp. 632-648 ◽  
Author(s):  
Austin J. Johnson ◽  
Christopher F. Larsen ◽  
Nathaniel Murphy ◽  
Anthony A. Arendt ◽  
S. Lee Zirnheld

AbstractThe Glacier Bay region of southeast Alaska, USA, and British Columbia, Canada, has undergone major glacier retreat since the Little Ice Age (LIA). We used airborne laser altimetry elevation data acquired between 1995 and 2011 to estimate the mass loss of the Glacier Bay region over four time periods (1995–2000, 2000–05, 2005–09, 2009–11). For each glacier, we extrapolated from center-line profiles to the entire glacier to estimate glacier-wide mass balance, and then averaged these results over the entire region using three difference methods (normalized elevation, area-weighted method and simple average). We found that there was large interannual variability of the mass loss since 1995 compared with the long-term (post-LIA) average. For the full period (1995–2011) the average mass loss was 3.93 ± 0.89 Gt a−1 (0.6 ± 0.1 m w.e. a−1), compared with 17.8 Gt a−1 for the post-LIA (1770–1948) rate. Our mass loss rate is consistent with GRACE gravity signal changes for the 2003–10 period. Our results also show that there is a lower bias due to center-line profiling than was previously found by a digital elevation model difference method.


Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (23) ◽  
pp. 4113
Author(s):  
Ruiqing Shen ◽  
Tian-Hao Yan ◽  
Rong Ma ◽  
Elizabeth Joseph ◽  
Yufeng Quan ◽  
...  

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are emerging as novel flame retardants for polymers, which, typically, can improve their thermal stability and flame retardancy. However, there is a lack of specific studies on the thermal decomposition kinetics of MOF-based polymer composites, although it is known that they are important for the modeling of flaming ignition, burning, and flame spread over them. The thermal decomposition mechanisms of poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) have been well investigated, which makes PMMA an ideal polymer to evaluate how fillers affect its decomposition process and kinetics. Thus, in this study, UiO-66, a common type of MOF, was embedded into PMMA to form a composite. Based on the results from the microscale combustion calorimeter, the values of the apparent activation energy of PMMA/UiO-66 composites were calculated and compared against those of neat PMMA. Furthermore, under cone calorimeter tests, UiO-66, at only 1.5 wt%, can reduce the maximum burning intensity and average mass loss rate of PMMA by 14.3% and 12.4%, respectively. By combining UiO-66 and SiO2 to form a composite, it can contribute to forming a more compact protective layer, which shows a synergistic effect on reducing the maximum burning intensity and average mass loss rate of PMMA by 22.0% and 14.7%, respectively.


2014 ◽  
Vol 1004-1005 ◽  
pp. 77-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhen Lu Zhang ◽  
Dong Li Li ◽  
Wen Cai Xu ◽  
Ya Bo Fu ◽  
Rui Juan Liao

This work reports the flammability properties of Nanocomposites reinforced with silica and PTFE nanoparticles and toughened with an elastomeric ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). Through trial and simulation study of the flame retardant thermoplastic polymer and melting characteristics of PP in the combustion process.The study found that modified PP composites have good flame retardancy compared to PP in case of fire relatively.In the study,the melting characteristics of the thermoplastic polymer affected the mass loss rate in the combustion stage.Nanocomposites experienced low plastic mass loss compared with PP, this has been related to pyrolysis mechanism of polymer.In general,The polymers undergoing depolymerization will lead to a rapid volatilization and therefore experienced much less melting.The results showed that:total heat release of nanocomposites was higher than polypropylene, while the average heat release rate, the maximum heat release rate, the average effective heat of combustion, the average mass loss rate, the average specific extinction area, and other indicators were lower than polypropylene.


1999 ◽  
Vol 191 ◽  
pp. 395-400 ◽  
Author(s):  
Željko Ivezić ◽  
Gillian R. Knapp

We find that AGB stars separate in the 25–12 vs. 12-K color-color diagram according to their chemistry (O, S vs. C) and variability type (Miras vs. SRb/Lb). While discrimination according to the chemical composition is not surprising, the separation of Miras from SRb/Lb variables is unexpected.We show that “standard” steady-state radiatively driven models provide excellent fits to the color distribution of Miras of all chemical types. However, these models are incapable of explaining the dust emission from O-rich SRb/Lb stars. The models can be altered to fit the data by postulating different optical properties for silicate grains, or by assuming that the dust temperature at the inner envelope radius is significantly lower (300–400 K) than typical condensation temperatures (800–1000 K), a possibility which is also supported by the detailed characteristics of LRS data. While such lower temperatures are required only for O- and S-rich SRb/Lb stars, they are also consistent with the colors of C-rich SRb/Lb stars.The absence of hot dust for SRb/Lb stars can be interpreted as a recent (order of 100 yr) decrease in the mass-loss rate. The distribution of O-rich SRb/Lb stars in the 25–12 vs. K-12 color-color diagram shows that the mass-loss rate probably resumes again, on similar time scales. It cannot be ruled out that the mass-loss rate is changing periodically on such time scales, implying that the stars might oscillate between the Mira and SRb/Lb phases during their AGB evolution as proposed by Kerschbaum et al. (1996). Such a possibility appears to be supported by recent HST images of the Egg Nebula obtained by Sahai et al. (1997), the discovery of multiple CO winds reported by Knapp et al. (1998), and long-term visual light-curve changes detected for some stars by Mattei (1998).


2012 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 713-727 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Huss

Abstract. This study addresses the extrapolation of in-situ glacier mass balance measurements to the mountain-range scale and aims at deriving time series of area-averaged mass balance and ice volume change for all glaciers in the European Alps for the period 1900–2100. Long-term mass balance series for 50 Swiss glaciers based on a combination of field data and modelling, and WGMS data for glaciers in Austria, France and Italy are used. A complete glacier inventory is available for the year 2003. Mass balance extrapolation is performed based on (1) arithmetic averaging, (2) glacier hypsometry, and (3) multiple regression. Given a sufficient number of data series, multiple regression with variables describing glacier geometry performs best in reproducing observed spatial mass balance variability. Future mass changes are calculated by driving a combined model for mass balance and glacier geometry with GCM ensembles based on four emission scenarios. Mean glacier mass balance in the European Alps is −0.31 ± 0.04 m w.e. a−1 in 1900–2011, and −1 m w.e. a−1 over the last decade. Total ice volume change since 1900 is −96 ± 13 km3; annual values vary between −5.9 km3 (1947) and +3.9 km3 (1977). Mean mass balances are expected to be around −1.3 m w.e. a−1 by 2050. Model results indicate a glacier area reduction of 4–18% relative to 2003 for the end of the 21st century.


2015 ◽  
Vol 61 (227) ◽  
pp. 551-562 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Huss ◽  
Laurie Dhulst ◽  
Andreas Bauder

AbstractIn this study we present 19 new or re-analysed series of glacier-wide seasonal mass balance for the Swiss Alps based on direct measurements. The records partly start around 1920 and continue until today. Previously unpublished and unevaluated observations of point winter and annual balance are compiled from various sources and archives. These highly valuable datasets have not yet been consistently evaluated and were thus unavailable to the scientific community. Using distributed modelling for spatial interpolation and extrapolation and homogenization of the point measurements, we infer continuous series of area-averaged mass balance. The results are validated against independent decadal ice volume changes from photogrammetric surveys. Six of the new seasonal series cover 60 years and more and add a substantial amount of information on the variations of regional glacier mass change. This will strengthen the worldwide collection of glacier monitoring data, especially for the data-sparse period before the 1980s. We compare our results to existing long-term series and present an updated assessment of mass-balance variability and glacier sensitivity throughout the European Alps.


2011 ◽  
Vol 261-263 ◽  
pp. 142-146
Author(s):  
Qing Wang ◽  
Zhao Yang Ding ◽  
Lin Li ◽  
Jing Da ◽  
Zhi Tong Sui

Geopolymer has been attracted world attention as a potentially revolutionary material that is one of the ideal substitutes of portland cement. Fundamental studies on geopolymer are increasing rapidly because of its potential commercial applications. However, little work has been done on its erosion resistance of sulfate. In this paper, slag and metakaolin as source materials, different modules of water-glass as activator were used to prepare slag-based geopolymer which was then prepared to make slag-based geopolymer concrete. Linear expansion rate and mass loss of concrete were used as indicators to explore different erosion rules of slag-based geopolymer concrete which was long-term immersed in the 5% ( by mass ) Na2SO4 solution. Comparative experiments were also done between slag-based geopolymer concrete and ordinary cement concrete. The results showed that geopolymer concrete had excellent sulfate resistance performance, linear expansion rate and mass loss rate of geopolymer were 0.024% and 0.58% respectively at the soaking age of 49d as the water glass modulus was 1.4 and the water-glass content was 4%. It was also found that the anti-sulfate ability of geopolymer concrete is much better than that of ordinary concrete with the same strength grade.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caitlyn Florentine ◽  
Joel Harper ◽  
Daniel Fagre ◽  
Johnnie Moore ◽  
Erich Peitzsch

Abstract. Local topographically driven processes such as wind drifting, avalanching, and shading, are known to alter the relationship between the mass balance of small cirque glaciers and regional climate. Yet partitioning such local effects apart from regional climate influence has proven difficult, creating uncertainty in the climate representativeness of some glaciers. We address this problem for Sperry Glacier in Glacier National Park, USA using field-measured surface mass balance, geodetic constraints on mass balance, and regional climate data recorded at a network of meteorological stations. Geodetically derived mass changes between 1950–1960, 1960–2005, and 2005–2014 document average mass loss rates during each period at −0.22±0.12 m w.e. yr−1, −0.18±0.05 m w.e. yr−1, and −0.10±0.03 m w.e. yr−1. A correlation of field-measured mass balance and regional climate variables closely predicts the geodetically measured mass loss from 2005–2014. However, this correlation overestimates glacier mass balance for 1950–1960 by +1.18±0.92 m w.e. yr−1. This suggests that local effects, not represented in regional climate variables, have become a more dominant driver of the net mass balance as the glacier lost 0.50 km2 and retreated further into its cirque.


2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 6581-6626 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. M. Andreassen ◽  
H. Elvehøy ◽  
B. Kjøllmoen ◽  
R. V. Engeset

Abstract. The glaciological and geodetic methods provide independent observations of glacier mass balance. The glaciological method measures the surface mass balance, on a seasonal or annual basis, whereas the geodetic method measures surface, internal and basal mass balances, over a period of years or decades. In this paper, we reanalyse the 10 glaciers with long-term mass balance series in Norway. The reanalysis includes (i) homogenisation of both glaciological and geodetic observation series, (ii) uncertainty assessment, (iii) estimates of generic differences including estimates of internal and basal melt, (iv) validation, and (v) partly calibration of mass balance series. This study comprises an extensive set of data (454 mass balance years, 34 geodetic surveys and large volumes of supporting data, such as metadata and field notes). In total, 21 periods of data were compared and the results show discrepancies between the glaciological and geodetic methods for some glaciers, which in part are attributed to internal and basal ablation and in part to inhomogeneity in the data processing. Deviations were smaller than 0.2 m w.e. a−1 for 12 out of 21 periods. Calibration was applied to seven out of 21 periods, as the deviations were larger than the uncertainty. The reanalysed glaciological series shows a more consistent signal of glacier change over the period of observations than previously reported: six glaciers had a significant mass loss (14–22 m w.e.) and four glaciers were nearly in balance. All glaciers have lost mass after year 2000. More research is needed on the sources of uncertainty, to reduce uncertainties and adjust the observation programmes accordingly. The study confirms the value of carrying out independent high-quality geodetic surveys to check and correct field observations.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document