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Calculating the surface melt rate of Antarctic glaciers using satellite-derived temperatures and stream flows

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Abstract

Melt rate models are fundamental for understanding the impacts of climate change on glaciers and the subsequent effects on habitats and sea level rise. Ice melt models have mostly been derived from energy balance or air temperature index calculations. This research demonstrates that satellite-derived land surface temperature (LST) measurements provide a simpler method for estimating surface melt rate that substitutes for energy balance models. Since these satellite images are continuous (distributed) across space, they do not need calibration for topography. Antarctic glacier melt discharge data from nearby stream gauges were used to calibrate an LST-derived melt model. The model calculations are simplified by the fact that groundwater flow is assumed to be minimal due to permafrost, and the glaciers are assumed to only melt on the surface. A new method called the Temperature Area Sum model is developed, which builds on an existing Temperature Area Index model. A daily melt rate model is developed using 77 Landsat 8 images and calculates the volume of meltwater produced per hectare for any given LST between − 7 and 0 °C. A seasonal average daily melt rate model is also developed that uses 1660 MODIS images. The utility of the seasonal MODIS model is demonstrated by calculating melt rates, water flows and wetness across the entire Ross Sea Region. An unexpected large wet area to the southwest of the Ross Ice Shelf requires further investigation and demonstrates the usefulness of these models for large remote areas. Surface melt rate and wetness can now be calculated for different climate change scenarios.

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Acknowledgements

This researched used stream flow data collected through the McMurdo Dry Valleys Long-term Ecological Research programme. We acknowledge the considerable effort that this involved and the benefits of this data set for our research. We also acknowledge the logistical support provided by Antarctic New Zealand, which enabled us to complete field visits and better understand the McMurdo Dry Valleys environment. Importantly, this research was part of the Ross Sea Region Terrestrial Data Analysis research programme.

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Funding

This research was funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, New Zealand, through contract number CO9X1413.

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  1. Geography Programme, University of Waikato, Hamilton, 3216, New Zealand

    Lars Brabyn & Glen Stichbury

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  1. Lars Brabyn
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  2. Glen Stichbury
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Both authors contributed equally to the original concept of the research, the analysis and the writing.

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Correspondence to Lars Brabyn.

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Brabyn, L., Stichbury, G. Calculating the surface melt rate of Antarctic glaciers using satellite-derived temperatures and stream flows. Environ Monit Assess 192, 440 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-020-08396-x

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