Sensitivity of an annual mean diffusive energy balance model with an ice sheet
The sensitivity of a diffusive energy balance model that contains a simple ice sheet is compared with that of a model with snow cover only. The effect of the elevated ice sheet surface on the radiative cooling is calculated by using a radiative transfer model. Because the temperature in the atmosphe...
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| Format: | Text |
| Language: | English |
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1982
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| Online Access: | http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.579.9717 http://geotest.tamu.edu/userfiles/213/JC087iC12p09667.pdf |
| Summary: | The sensitivity of a diffusive energy balance model that contains a simple ice sheet is compared with that of a model with snow cover only. The effect of the elevated ice sheet surface on the radiative cooling is calculated by using a radiative transfer model. Because the temperature in the atmosphere decreases with height, the main effect of the ice sheet elevation is to reduce the outgoing infrared radiation. This reduction in the radiative cooling decreases the sensitivity of the ice sheet size to changes in the solar constant by partially counteracting the albedo feedback. For a reasonable choice of parameters, this effect can reduce the strength of the albedo feedback by a factor of 2. 1. |
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