Earth`s Cryosphere, 2019, Vol. XXIII, № 3, p. 11-19
ASSESSMENT OF GLACIER ALBEDO IN THE AK-SHYIRAK MASSIF (INNER TIEN SHAN) FROM GROUND-BASED AND LANDSAT DATA
D.A. Petrakov1, O.V. Tutubalina1, A.M. Shpuntova1, N.V. Kovalenko1, R.A. Usubaliev2, E.A. Azisov2, P.G. Mikhailukova1
1Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Geography, 1, Leninskie Gory, Moscow, 119991, Russia; dpetrakov@gmail.com
2Central-Asian Institute for Applied Geosciences, 73/2, Timur Frunze str., Bishkek, 720027, Kyrgyz Republic
Albedo of glaciers in the Ak-Shyirak massif (Inner Tien Shan) has been estimated from ground-based and remote sensing data. The reduction of albedo typical to many ice-clad high mountain areas leads to accelerated downwasting of glaciers. The albedo values in the Ak-Shyirak area may bear an unconstrained effect of technogenic dust pollution. Ground-based albedo measurements were carried out across eleven glaciers during the summers of 2015 and 2016 using a Kipp&Zonen Sp Lite 2 albedometer. On the basis of ground albedo measurements of two glaciers we developed a model to correct albedo values obtained from satellite imagery. 27 images from Landsat satellites were selected to assess glacier albedo in the Ak-Shyirak massif by weather conditions. Unlike other high mountain areas, the average glacier albedo in the Ak-Shyirak massif has not decreased since 1990s. Glacier albedo in the Ak-Shyirak massif is driven by environmental factors, mostly by weather conditions prior to satellite survey, especially snowfalls, and elevation driving the snow melting. Technogenic impact, such as mechanic disturbance of glaciers within the Kumtor gold mine, is detectable only locally. No mining-related dust pollution is traceable against the natural background across the Ak-Shyirak massif in Landsat data.
Albedo, mountain glaciers, Tien Shan, Ak-Shyirak massif, technogenic impact