Assessment of surface albedo effect on the position of zero isotherm

Abstract

Calculations with one-layer radiative model of the atmosphere based upon the data of Surface Radiation Budget archive over 1984–2007 allowed to assess changes in temperature distribution over the earth’s surface associated with radiation factors in response to reduction of its albedo by 0.1. A shift in the zero isotherm, a proxy for the cryosphere boundary on the earth’s surface, was found moderate on the global scale, although some regional consequences are substantial. For example, ice systems of Western Himalayas, Tibet, Pamir and Kamchatka will degrade. However, shifts in the arctic ice boundary will be moderate assuming all non-radiative heat fluxes remain unchanged.

Keywords

• albedo
• cryosphere
• earth surface
• temperature distribution
• zero isotherm