Authors: Neumann, T.A.; Albert, M.R.; Lomonaco, R.; Engel, C.; Courville, Z.; Perron, F.

Source: Annals of Glaciology, Volume 49, Number 1, October 2008 , pp. 1-6(6)

Publisher: International Glaciological Society

Abstract:

Snow sublimation is a fundamental process that affects the snow crystal structure and is important for ice-core interpretation, remote sensing, snow hydrology and chemical processes in snow. Prior studies have shown that sublimation can change the isotopic content of the remaining snow; these studies have inferred sublimation rates using field data, and were unable to control many of the environmental parameters that determine sublimation rate (e.g. temperature, relative humidity, snow microstructure). We present sublimation rate measurements on snow samples in the laboratory, where we have controlled many of these parameters simultaneously. We use the same experimental apparatus to determine sublimation rate, investigate the isotopic effects of sublimation, and study the isotopic exchange between vapor and solid. Our results suggest that pore spaces in snow are almost always at saturation vapor pressure; undersaturation may be possible in large pore spaces or in regions of rapid interstitial airflow. We present a revised formulation for determining the mass-transfer coefficient for snow as a linear function of Reynolds number (h_m = 0.566Re + 0.075), estimate the fractionation coefficient for sublimating snow, and provide evidence for isotopic exchange between vapor and solid.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3189/172756408787814825

Publication date: 2008-10-01

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• The Annals of Glaciology is a peer-reviewed, thematic journal published 2 to 4 times a year by the International Glaciological Society (IGS). Publication frequency is determined and volume/issue numbers assigned by the IGS Council on a year-to-year basis and with a lead time of 3 to 4 years. The Annals of Glaciology is included in the ISI Science Citation Index from volume 50, number 50 onwards.

  Themes can be on any aspect of the study of snow and ice. Individual members can make a suggestion for a theme for an Annals issue to the Secretary General, who will forward it to the IGS Publications Committee. The IGS Publication Committee will make a recommendation for an individual themed Annals issue, together with a potential Annals Chief Editor for that issue, to IGS Council. The IGS Council will make the decision whether to proceed, taking into account the spread of topics and the overall capacity for publication of pages in Annals.

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