Document Type

Thesis

Date of Degree Completion

Spring 2012

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Department

Geological Sciences

Committee Chair

Dr. Susan Kaspari, Geology Department

Second Committee Member

Dr. Carey Gazis, Geology Department

Third Committee Member

Dr. Audrey D. Huerta, Director Science Honors Research Program

Abstract

Black Carbon (BC) is a particle formed from the incomplete combustion of biomass and fossil fuels. When BC is deposited on a glacier or snow surface, the surface albedo (reflectivity) is reduced. The BC absorbs sunlight producing heat, which can accelerate snow and glacier melt if substantial BC is present. This can lead to a decrease in water availability for major urban areas that rely on snow/glacier runoff as a water resource. BC has not previously been measured in snow or ice in South America, even though snow and glacier water from the Central Andes provides an important source of runoff. Herein, we present a record of BC from a shallow ice core spanning the years 2000-2010 from the Tupungatito glacier in the Central Andes. BC was determined using a Single Particle Soot Photometer (SP2). The BC concentrations peak during the summer months, and exhibit interannual variations. These seasonal and interannual variations are controlled by emissions, transport, and precipitation. BC on Tupungatito has caused an albedo reduction of up to 4.6% between 2000 and 2010, suggesting that BC is affecting water resources in this region.

Comments

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