Six Years Observations ond Analysis of Radiation Parameters and Surface Energy Fluxes on Ice Sheet Near ‘Maitri’ Research Station, East Antarctica

Abstract

In the present study, radiation parameters incoming shortwave radiation flux, reflected shortwave radiation flux, albedo have been observed on ice sheet near ‘Maitri’ research station, East Antarctica. Surface energy fluxes have been estimated using snow-meteorological parameters. Air temperature, surface temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, atmospheric pressure, incoming shortwave radiation flux, reflected shortwave radiation flux, albedo were recorded using automatic weather station installed on ice sheet about 1 km from ‘Maitri’ research station. Radiation parameters and energy fluxes were obtained for six years from March 2007 to January 2013. Mean incoming shortwave radiation flux, reflected shortwave radiation flux and albedo were observed to be 124 Wm–2, 80 Wm–2 and 0.64, respectively, during six years. Daily
average air temperature at the observation site varies from 4.6°C to –28.6°C with six years mean of –10.2°C. High katabatic winds are observed at the site with six years mean wind speed of 8.4 ms–1. Net shortwave radiation flux and sensible heat flux were observed to be heat source for the ice sheet with mean values of 44 Wm–2 and 28 Wm–2, respectively, while net long wave radiation flux and latent heat flux were observed as heat sink with mean values of –49 Wm–2 and –62 Wm–2, respectively. Sublimation of the ice sheet at the rate of 0.017 cm/day has been observed. Results of the present study were also compared with other studies in Antarctica. It has been observed that present study site near ‘Maitri’ research station has comparatively warmer temperatures, low relative humidity, high wind speed and low albedo compared to other coastal stations in Antarctica. High sublimation rate of the ice sheet at the present study location may attribute to high katabatic winds and warmer temperatures.