Cryoconite

Cryoconite
A layer of cryoconite on the surface of a glacier.

Cryoconite is powdery windblown dust which is deposited and builds up on snow, glaciers, or icecaps. It contains small amounts of soot which absorbs solar radiation melting the snow or ice beneath the deposit sometimes creating a cryoconite hole.[1] Cryoconite may contain dust from far away continental deserts or farmland, particles from volcanic eruptions or power plant emissions, and soot. It was first described and named by Nils A. E. Nordenskiöld when he traveled on Greenland's icecap in 1870.[2]

Soot decreases the reflectivity, or albedo of ice, increasing absorption of heat. Cryoconite is constantly being added to snow and ice formations along with snow. It is buried within the snow or ice, but as the snow or ice melts increasing amounts of dark material is exposed on the surface, accelerating melting.[2]

Notes

  1. ^ Cryoconite hole information
  2. ^ a b Jenkins, M. "Changing Greenland - Melt Zone" page 3, of 4, National Geographic June 2010, accessed July 8, 2010

External links and further reading


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