Black carbon effects and seasonal isotope records in the Godwin-Austen snowpack and K2 high-altitude camps
This study investigates black carbon (BC) concentrations in the seasonal snowpack on the Godwin-Austen Glacier and in surface snow at K2 Camps 1 and 2 (Karakoram Range), assessing their impact on snowmelt during the 2019 ablation season. Potential BC and moisture sources were identified through back...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Cambridge University Press
2025-01-01
|
| Series: | Journal of Glaciology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0022143024001114/type/journal_article |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Summary: | This study investigates black carbon (BC) concentrations in the seasonal snowpack on the Godwin-Austen Glacier and in surface snow at K2 Camps 1 and 2 (Karakoram Range), assessing their impact on snowmelt during the 2019 ablation season. Potential BC and moisture sources were identified through back-trajectory analysis and atmospheric reanalyses. Variations in water stable isotopes (δ1⁸O and δ2H) in the snowpack were analysed to confirm its representativeness as a climatic record for the 2018–19 accumulation season. The average BC concentration in the snow pits (12 ng g−1) generated 66 mm w.e. (or 53 mm w.e. excluding the basal zone) of meltwater. Surface snow at K2 Camp 1 showed BC concentrations of 7 ng g−1, consistent with those on the snowpack surface, suggesting it may reflect local BC levels in late February 2019. In contrast, higher concentrations at K2 Camp 2 (26 ng g−1) were potentially linked to expedition activities. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 0022-1430 1727-5652 |