04038nas a2200205 4500008004100000245015700041210006900198260001200267300001600279490000800295520333900303100001903642700002103661700002403682700001503706700002403721700001703745700002403762856004603786 2018 eng d00aNear-surface refractory black carbon observations in the atmosphere and snow in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica and potential impacts of foehn winds0 aNearsurface refractory black carbon observations in the atmosphe c01/2018 a2877 - 28870 v1233 a

Measurements of light absorbing particles in the boundary layer of the high southern latitudes are scarce, particularly in the McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV), Antarctica. During the 2013 - 2014 austral summer near-surface boundary layer refractory black carbon (rBC) aerosols were measured in air by a single particle soot photometer (SP2) at multiple locations in the MDV. Near-continuous rBC atmospheric measurements were collected at Lake Hoare Camp (LH) over two months and for several hours at more remote locations away from established field camps. We investigated periods dominated by both up and down-valley winds to explore the causes of differences in rBC concentrations and size distributions. Snow samples were also collected in a 1m pit on a glacier near the camp. The range of concentrations rBC in snow were 0.3 1.2 ± 0.3 μg-rBC/L-H2O, and total organic carbon were 0.3 1.4 ± 0.3 mg/L. The rBC concentrations measured in this snow pit are not sufficient to reduce surface albedo, however, there is potential for accumulation of rBC on snow and ice surfaces at low elevation throughout the MDV which were not measured as part of this study. At LH, the average background rBC mass aerosol concentrations was 1.3 ng/m3. rBC aerosol mass concentrations were slightly lower, 0.09 1.3 ng/m3, at the most remote sites in the MDV. Concentration spikes as high as 200 ng/m3 were observed at LH, associated with local activities. During a foehn wind event, the average rBC mass concentration increased to 30-50 ng m-3. Here we show the rBC increase could be due to resuspension of locally produced BC from generators, rocket toilets, and helicopters, which may remain on the soil surface until redistributed during high wind events. Quantification of local production and long-range atmospheric transport of rBC to the MDV is necessary for understanding the impacts of this species on regional climate. 

 

1 aKhan, Alia, L.1 aMcMeeking, Gavin1 aSchwarz, Joshua, P.1 aXian, Peng1 aWelch, Kathleen, A.1 aLyons, Berry1 aMcKnight, Diane, M. uhttp://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/2017JD02769603366nas a2200205 4500008004100000245009200041210006900133260001200202300001400214490000700228520274200235100001902977700001802996700001903014700001503033700001903048700002303067700002403090856004603114 2017 eng d00aDissolved black carbon in the global cryosphere: Concentrations and chemical signatures0 aDissolved black carbon in the global cryosphere Concentrations a c06/2017 a6226-62340 v443 a

Black carbon (BC) is derived from the incomplete combustion of biomass and fossil fuels and can enhance glacial recession when deposited on snow and ice surfaces. Here we explore the influence of environmental conditions and the proximity to anthropogenic sources on the concentration and composition of dissolved black carbon (DBC), as measured by benzenepolycaroxylic acid (BPCA) markers, across snow, lakes, and streams from the global cryosphere. Data are presented from Antarctica, the Arctic, and high alpine regions of the Himalayas, Rockies, Andes, and Alps. DBC concentrations spanned from 0.62 μg/L to 170 μg/L. The median and (2.5, 97.5) quantiles in the pristine samples were 1.8 μg/L (0.62, 12), and nonpristine samples were 21 μg/L (1.6, 170). DBC is susceptible to photodegradation when exposed to solar radiation. This process leads to a less condensed BPCA signature. In general, DBC across the data set was composed of less polycondensed DBC. However, DBC from the Greenland Ice Sheet (GRIS) had a highly condensed BPCA molecular signature. This could be due to recent deposition of BC from Canadian wildfires. Variation in DBC appears to be driven by a combination of photochemical processing and the source combustion conditions under which the DBC was formed. Overall, DBC was found to persist across the global cryosphere in both pristine and nonpristine snow and surface waters. The high concentration of DBC measured in supraglacial melt on the GRIS suggests that DBC can be mobilized across ice surfaces. This is significant because these processes may jointly exacerbate surface albedo reduction in the cryosphere. 

1 aKhan, Alia, L.1 aWagner, Sasha1 aJaffé, Rudolf1 aXian, Peng1 aWilliams, Mark1 aArmstrong, Richard1 aMcKnight, Diane, M. uhttp://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/2017GL073485