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Study on Snowmelt and Algal Growth in the Antarctic Peninsula using Spatial Approach


Affiliations
1 School of Electronics Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology, Chennai 600 127, India
2 Centre for Incubation, Innovation, Research and Consultancy and Department of ECE, Jyothy Institute of Technology, Thataguni, Bengaluru 560 082, India
 

In recent times, global warming across the world is one of the major factors that triggers surface snow melting. According to the reports, climate change across the globe has a major impact on the poles, which has resulted in rapid snowmelt and redpigmented algal growth. Because of its less sunlight reflecting characteristics, algal growth results in the rapid melting of snow. In this study, we used Landsat images of 30 m resolution to estimate the area of snowmelt and evaluate the impact of algal growth in snow reflectance in Eagle Island, Antarctic, Peninsula. Based on the analysis, it is estimated that within a span of 9 days between 4 and 13 February 2020, around 21.37% of the area of snow melted resulting in the formation of a pond of 2.13 km2. Variation in the visible band is witnessed, indicating reduction of snow reflectance due to algal growth that leads to reduced albedo and increased warming.

Keywords

Algal Growth, Climate Change, Snowmelt, Snow Reflectance, Spatial Analysis.
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  • Study on Snowmelt and Algal Growth in the Antarctic Peninsula using Spatial Approach

Abstract Views: 257  |  PDF Views: 129

Authors

M. Geetha Priya
School of Electronics Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology, Chennai 600 127, India
N. Varshini
Centre for Incubation, Innovation, Research and Consultancy and Department of ECE, Jyothy Institute of Technology, Thataguni, Bengaluru 560 082, India
G. Chandhana
Centre for Incubation, Innovation, Research and Consultancy and Department of ECE, Jyothy Institute of Technology, Thataguni, Bengaluru 560 082, India
G. Deeksha
Centre for Incubation, Innovation, Research and Consultancy and Department of ECE, Jyothy Institute of Technology, Thataguni, Bengaluru 560 082, India
K. Supriya
Centre for Incubation, Innovation, Research and Consultancy and Department of ECE, Jyothy Institute of Technology, Thataguni, Bengaluru 560 082, India
D. Krishnaveni
Centre for Incubation, Innovation, Research and Consultancy and Department of ECE, Jyothy Institute of Technology, Thataguni, Bengaluru 560 082, India

Abstract


In recent times, global warming across the world is one of the major factors that triggers surface snow melting. According to the reports, climate change across the globe has a major impact on the poles, which has resulted in rapid snowmelt and redpigmented algal growth. Because of its less sunlight reflecting characteristics, algal growth results in the rapid melting of snow. In this study, we used Landsat images of 30 m resolution to estimate the area of snowmelt and evaluate the impact of algal growth in snow reflectance in Eagle Island, Antarctic, Peninsula. Based on the analysis, it is estimated that within a span of 9 days between 4 and 13 February 2020, around 21.37% of the area of snow melted resulting in the formation of a pond of 2.13 km2. Variation in the visible band is witnessed, indicating reduction of snow reflectance due to algal growth that leads to reduced albedo and increased warming.

Keywords


Algal Growth, Climate Change, Snowmelt, Snow Reflectance, Spatial Analysis.

References





DOI: https://doi.org/10.18520/cs%2Fv120%2Fi5%2F932-936