Radiation balance diversity on NW Spitsbergen in 2010–2014

• Published in: Polish Polar Research
• Main Authors: Kejna Marek, Maturilli Marion, Araźny Andrzej, Sobota Ireneusz
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Polish Academy of Sciences 2017
• Subjects: Arctic; Svalbard; solar radiation; albedo; topoclimate; Geology; QE1-996.5; Ny-Ålesund; Kaffiøyra; glacier; Ny Ålesund; Polar Research; Tundra; Spitsbergen
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1515/popore-2017-0005; https://doaj.org/article/7972ea5834b14e2fbd1779edefe0d0f6

This article presents the results of observations of selected fluxes of the radiation balance in north-western Spitsbergen in the years from 2010 to 2014. Measurements were taken in Ny-Ålesund and in the area of Kaffiøyra, on different surface types occurring in the Polar zone: moraine, tundra, snow and ice. Substantial differences in the radiation balance among the various types of surface were observed. The observations carried out in the summer seasons of 2010–2014 in the area of Kaffiøyra demonstrated that the considerable reflection of solar radiation on the Waldemar Glacier (albedo 55%) resulted in a smaller solar energy net income. During the polar day, a diurnal course of the components of the radiation balance was apparently related to the solar elevation angle. When the sun was low over the horizon, the radiation balance became negative, especially on the glacier. Diurnal, annual and multi-annual variations in the radiation balance have a significant influence on the functioning of the environment in polar conditions.