Collaborative Research: Greenland Ice Sheet Snow Accumulation Variability: Filling Knowledge and Data Voids

The award will support an investigation of snow accumulation in the south-eastern sector of the Greenland ice sheet. Snow accumulation rates on the Greenland ice sheet have been significantly underestimated and the missing mass prevents accurate estimates of the overall ice sheet mass balance. The south-eastern sector of the ice sheet contains the largest proportion of the missing mass. Consequently, this study will measure snow accumulation using new and existing firn cores along two transects in the south-east Greenland data void and, by combining the firn core records with ground-penetrating radar surveys, develop continuous accumulation transects between 2500 m and 500 m elevation. Successful completion of the investigation will fill a geographic gap in knowledge of accumulation on the Greenland ice sheet, and the data will have broader scientific value for remote sensing of accumulation and ice sheet mass balance, and ice sheet and climate modeling. In addition to the scientific benefits, the 'Broader Impacts' of the investigation include a comprehensive suite of informal and formal education and outreach activities for all age groups. Notable among these is a collaboration with the Utah Museum of Natural History that includes the development of a display about snow accumulation in Greenland, hosting a workshop for teachers, and project scientists' participation in "Scientist in the Spotlight" and "Science Movie Night" series. Coordinates of three firn cores measuring accumulation rates in SE Greenland Lat. Lon. 65.9671, -41.4807 65.7751, -41.8672 65.9997, -42.7831本资助项目将支持对格陵兰冰盖东南部区域的积雪积累情况开展研究。格陵兰冰盖的积雪积累速率此前被严重低估，而这部分缺失的冰量使得我们无法准确估算冰盖整体的质量平衡情况。该冰盖的东南部区域占据了缺失冰量的最大比例。因此，本研究将依托格陵兰东南部数据空白区内两条样带上的新获及已有的冰芯（firn core）样品测定积雪积累速率，并结合冰芯记录与探地雷达（ground-penetrating radar）探测结果，构建海拔2500米至500米区间内的连续积雪积累样带。本研究若顺利完成，将填补格陵兰冰盖积雪积累研究的地理数据空白，所获数据对于积雪积累遥感、冰盖质量平衡反演以及冰盖与气候模拟研究均具有更广泛的科学价值。除科学收益外，本研究的拓展影响（Broader Impacts）还包括面向全年龄段的一系列完整的非正式与正式教育及科普推广活动。其中较为突出的合作项目为与犹他州自然历史博物馆（Utah Museum of Natural History）的合作，具体包括打造格陵兰积雪积累主题展览、为教师举办专题工作坊，以及项目科学家参与"Scientist in the Spotlight"与"Science Movie Night"系列活动。本次用于测定格陵兰东南部积雪积累速率的三根冰芯的坐标如下：纬度、经度分别为65.9671、-41.4807；65.7751、-41.8672；65.9997、-42.7831。