Tag: Dave Sutherland

Geometric and Thermal Constraints on the Timing of Alaskan Tidewater Glacier Retreat

Presenter: Lucy Waghorn – Earth Sciences

Faculty Mentor(s): Dave Sutherland, Alex Hager

Session: (In-Person) Poster Presentation

Glaciers around the world are retreating at increasing rates, prompting concerns over sea level rise and the future of the cryosphere. In southern Alaska, some have retreated while their neighbors have advanced, indicating that local atmospheric conditions are not the only influence on glacial retreat. One possible factor is the interaction of ocean water with the glacier at the terminus. However, fjord geometry can alter the ocean water that interacts with the terminus, and the interaction of fjord geometry and ocean temperature anomalies has not been investigated in Alaska thus far. To investigate the interaction of fjord geometry and glacier retreat, we used bathymetry, air temperature (AT), sea surface temperature (SST), and terminus position data. Here we show that high SST anomalies may enhance glacial retreat in fjords with shallow sills. During a high SST anomaly, some glaciers in shallow-silled fjords retreated rapidly from a point of relative stability. Many glaciers also showed enhanced retreat in the two years after a high AT anomaly. It is possible that shallow sills influence fjord water circulation where only the warmest part of the water column can enter the near terminus region, potentially leading to enhanced glacier retreat after high SST anomalies. Though other factors can also contribute, understanding these processes and interactions that lead to glacier retreat is becoming increasingly important as climate change alters the atmosphere and environment.

Climate Change and Snow: How Pollutant Aerosols Impact Snow Grain and Albedo in Seasonal Snow Packs

Presenter(s): Neil Yotsuya − Architecture

Faculty Mentor(s): Dave Sutherland

Poster 194

Research Area: Physical Science

The ability for snow to reflect light, otherwise known as albedo, is plays a key role in both local and global environmental conditions. Snow grain size and snow albedo have a inverse relationship; the larger that a snow grain is, the lower its albedo will tend to be. Environmental factors that impact grain size are many and factors such as solar zenith, aerosol pollutants, time, and extreme weather must all be accounted for when understanding why snow grain changes in size. Crystal metamorphosis, the process by which ground snow increases in grain size, is susceptible to aerosol pollutants. Black Carbon (BC), in particular, is one major pollutant that can increase the speed at which snow grain undergoes metamorphosis. The exact degree to which BC and other aerosols have altered snow albedo of seasonal snowpack near urban regions is still not fully understood. Data seems to show a strong correlation between pollutant level and grain size. However, the amount of pollutants has no direct correlation with albedo. A possible conclusion may be made that, while not directly impacting snowpack albedo, BC and other aerosol pollutants do impact grain size, thereby impacting snowpack albedo. Better understanding how exactly pollution and climate change has impacted snowpack albedo through grain metamorphosis can help us to better understand the exact impact that urban pollution has on local and global environmental factors.

Do Arctic Sea Ice Extent and Permafrost Temperature Co-Vary?

Presenter(s): Natalie Weaver − Math

Faculty Mentor(s): Dave Sutherland

Poster 192

Research Area: Natural Science

In recent years, many components of the cryosphere have experienced rapid decline as global temperatures continue to increase. My project will focus on two of these components: Arctic sea ice and permafrost in the Norwegian archipelago Svalbard. Using data from the National Snow and Ice Data Center and the NORPERM Permafrost Database, I will explore whether there is any correlation between Arctic sea ice extent and permafrost temperature at several locations in Svalbard. Finding a correlation, if it exists, is important because while sea ice can be measured easily by satellite, gathering data on permafrost is much more challenging. When permafrost thaws, it releases large amounts of methane into the atmosphere, which reinforces a feedback loop of global warming, endangering even more permafrost. If we can use sea ice cover as a proxy for permafrost health, we can become more aware of this global threat and take steps to prepare for its consequences.

Most Necessitous Strangers: Causes and Impact of Sea Level Rise

Presenter(s): Natalie Tichenor − Political Science

Faculty Mentor(s): Dave Sutherland

Poster 189

Research Area: Cryosphere

This project investigates the extent, causes, and impact of sea levels rising. More specifically, the project analyzes sea level rise in relation to regions that will be most devastated by sea level rise, looking at steps that could be taken in order to mitigate damages. It is clear that sea level rise is caused by two things: thermal expansion of sea water due to ocean warming and water mass input from land ice melt and land water reservoirs. Further, it is known that sea level does not rise uniformly due to currents, ocean temperature, and many other factors. The main questions I hope to answer in my research are: Which areas are predicted to be most gravely affected by sea level rise? And what sorts of steps could be taken to prevent the potential destruction of sea levels rising? The goal of this research is to create a scientific framing for understanding the increasingly prevalent issue of climate change refugees that, when applied, can either provide preventative measures for a more sustainable environment or at least offer solutions for how to handle the destruction.

The Thawing Permafrost: How Its Loss is Changing the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau

Presenter(s): Maya Tagwerker − Pre-business Administration

Faculty Mentor(s): Dave Sutherland

Poster 188

Research Area: Science

The world is changing around us. The change has been expertly linked to the detrimental effects of climate change. The cryosphere is the portion of the Earth with water in solid form. The understanding of the cryosphere has allowed for more in-depth discussion surrounding the implications of climate change on ecology, geology, and hydrology. Within the cryosphere lies the permafrost. The permafrost is the thick surface layer of soil that should generally remain frozen throughout the year. However, the permafrost, has been steadily melting at a rapid rate. Through research in peer-reviewed journal articles, I have come to understand the effects of a changing permafrost, the land, as well as the surrounding rivers and lakes, must to analyzed. The tremendous work provided in Geophysical Research Letters journal have shown that the thawing of permafrost caused by warmer temperature has increased groundwater contribution to annual flow. Therefore, my research question is how is the current degradation of the permafrost disrupting the hydrology of the surrounding ground surface in the Qinghai- Tibet Plateau? By understanding how the loss of permafrost not only affects the oceans, but our land and vegetation as well. The purpose of this is to have the public be more willing to learn about the dangers that will surround us if the permafrost were to completely disappear.

Buying Time: A Survey of Geoengineering Techniques to Slow Mass Loss on the Antarctic Pine Island Glacier

Presenter(s): Conrad Sproul − Political Science, Economics

Faculty Mentor(s): Dave Sutherland

Poster 186

Research Area: Natural Science

Geoengineering, or artificially modifying climate conditions, is the cutting edge of environmental science research. A range of techniques have been suggested, including the sequestration of carbon from the atmosphere, increasing Earth’s average albedo through solar radiation management (SRM) technologies, and the construction of large structures to halt or alter
the path of flowing glaciers. However, these technologies are almost always examined in terms of their effects on the global climate, with only limited investigation of how smaller scale geoengineering could be used in specific, important areas. Here we examine several different potential geoengineering methods and their potential efficacy at abating mass loss from the Pine Island Glacier (PIG) in Western Antarctica. We show that due to the basal conditions of PIG, atmospheric and surface level SRM are unlikely to be effective at preventing further ablation and destabilization of the glacier. More promising would be some combination of basal freezing/pumping to reduce flow rate, artificial structures to increase stability, and a medium scale pumping operation to redirect remaining meltwater to inland Antarctica. As the single biggest contributor to Antarctic sea level rise, and an area at high risk for destabilization in the coming decades, it is crucial that research be done now on the Pine Island Glacier to determine what can be done to slow its ongoing mass loss. These results provide specific direction for more elaborate modelling and investigation to be done on these projects in the future.

The Great Deluge: Are Heavier Rains and Greater Temperatures Responsible for The Sierra Nevada Snowpack Retreat?

Presenter(s): Carson Schmittle − English

Faculty Mentor(s): Dave Sutherland

Poster 182

Research Area: Natural Science

Mountain snowpack acts as an important natural reservoir for much of California. In the Sierra Nevada mountain range, it builds primarily through snow, accumulated in winter storms. We measure the amount of water stored in a snowpack as the snow water equivalent (SWE), which is dependent on both the density of the snow and the thickness of snow. In recent years, the mean peak measurement of SWE in the Sierra Nevada has declined dramatically. Here, I demonstrate that decreased precipitation, in conjunction with greater surface temperatures, is the primary factor in the downtrend of snowpack in this mountain range. The accumulation of soot and dust also contributes to snowpack depletion (by reducing average albedo and increasing melt rates), but I predict that lesser precipitation correlates most strongly to the observed retreat of snowpack. This is evidenced by comparing available climate data with trends in peak annual SWE. Precipitation in a cold climate collects as snow, while precipitation in a warmer climate falls as rain and actually does more to melt snow. Therefore, the heavier and more infrequent precipitation predicted for the coming century will translate to less snow accumulated in the winter and more snow melted in the spring and summer. Snowpack provides a tremendous amount of water to California for agricultural, industrial, and recreational purposes, so future infrastructure development must prepare for snowpack depletion.

Causes and Hazards of Thaw Settlement in Central and Coastal Alaska

Presenter(s): Ellen Scharff − English

Faculty Mentor(s): Dave Sutherland

Poster 181

Research Area: Natural Science

Much of the ground in polar areas such as Alaska consists of permafrost, a subsurface layer of soil that remains frozen throughout most of the year. Alaskan tundra vegetation, wildlife, and infrastructure rely on the preservation of permafrost, which is made of frozen soil, rock, and water. Rising global temperatures have resulted in thaw settlement: the compression of ground due to thawing. Typically, thaw settlement is a seasonal occurrence, but several studies have observed an abrupt uptick in the extent of permafrost thaw and subsequent ground compression. This research compiles and synthesises the results of various studies of permafrost degradation and thaw settlement in central and coastal Alaska. Data from these studies shows a significant increase in permafrost active layer depth and clear compression of thawed soil. The implications of settlement on carbon dioxide release, vegetation, and infrastructure are outlined by the studies, as well as a consensus on climatic and ecological changes as the cause. By cultivating an awareness of the sources and hazards of permafrost settlement, measures can be enacted on vulnerable areas in order to mitigate degradation.

Moss to Prevent Loss?: Exploring Methods for Halting Permafrost Deterioration in Siberia

Presenter(s): Maya O’boyle − Russian, East European And Eurasian Studies (Reees), International Studies

Faculty Mentor(s): Dave Sutherland

Poster 175

Research Area: Natural/Physical Science (Cryosphere)

Permafrost, a layer of subsurface that remains frozen for two or more uninterrupted years, plays a significant role in the global cryospheric system. Permafrost lends stability to some of the world’s most barren environments, perhaps most important to no other place than Russia, of which it covers “more than 60%” (Anisimov and Reneva 169). This particularly applies
to the Siberian region, whose factories, nuclear plants, large cities, and abundant natural resources remain under threat, vulnerable to permafrost thawing that often leaves the ground unstable, contaminated by leached mercury, and disrupted of vegetation. This permafrost deterioration also impacts the global climate, “acting through release of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere” and accelerating climate change (Anisimov and Reneva 174). However, while many studies have been conducted on thawing impacts, few have explored the roll vegetation can have in preventing permafrost shrinkage, particularly native mosses, which serve as an effective natural insulator. This study will explore the impacts of permafrost thawing on these native mosses, paying particular attention to how thawing affects moss thickness, in order to better understand and predict Siberian climate change. What can studying this moss cover reveal about methods to halting permafrost deterioration and global warming?

Welcome to the Jam: Effects of Climate on Mid-winter River Ice Breakup

Presenter(s): Annalee Nock − English

Faculty Mentor(s): Dave Sutherland

Poster 174

Research Area: Earth Science

Dynamic breakup of river ice cover and subsequent ice jamming, or damming, can cause flooding with socio-economic and ecological impacts. Breakup processes are sensitive to weather conditions, so changing climatic patterns engender concern over their potential impacts. Understanding how to predict ice jamming events could both mitigate destruction and offer insight toward climate’s effect on river ice. Usually, breakup and flooding happen in the spring, but occasionally perturbations in winter temperatures invoke mid-winter ‘thaws’. These are influenced by rainfall, augmented river flow, and ice decay. By synthesizing hydroclimatic studies on mid-winter breakup and ice jams, my research shows these mid-winter events have repercussions on ensuing spring breakup. This demonstrates the magnitude of even slight warming on river ice. With more high-resolution data and quantifying research, cryologists can look at mid-winter breakup as both a predictor for spring events and an easily-perceptible representation of climate change.