How does the cryosphere affect global climate?
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Cryosphere is a part of the earth which is covered with ice or snow. It includes glaciers, sea ice, frozen ground (permafrost) etc.
First let me tell you what is Albedo.
Albedo is reflectivity (in term of light) of any surface be it water or land or anything. Earth has average Albedo of around 32%. Every surface has specific Albedo. Snow has one of the highest Albedo of around 70–90%. Due to high reflectivity snow appears white to us.
Now, how cryosphere affect global climate-
Since the Albedo of snow/ice is high, significant part of solar radiation is reflected back resulting in lower temperature of earth. But, due to increase of global average temperature, some of the snow gets melted which results in a multiplier effect. For example there is 100 tonne of snow and it was receiving 100 KJ and reflecting back 80 KJ of solar energy. Due to some reason 20 tonnes of snow melted. Now remaining 80 tonnes of snow will receive 100 KJ but reflect less than 80 KJ say 60 KJ. There will be net gain of energy thus it will again melt the ice and the cycle goes on.
The cryosphere has a role in cooling the air thus affecting climate of regions of Iceland, Greenland, Russia etc.
Ocean current like Labrador current bring melt water from glaciers to the Eastern coast of Canada and USA. Cold freshwater is favorable for fishing grounds. Also people get some relief from summer.
Cryosphere is a part of the earth which is covered with ice or snow. It includes glaciers, sea ice, frozen ground (permafrost) etc.
First let me tell you what is Albedo.
Albedo is reflectivity (in term of light) of any surface be it water or land or anything. Earth has average Albedo of around 32%. Every surface has specific Albedo. Snow has one of the highest Albedo of around 70–90%. Due to high reflectivity snow appears white to us.
Now, how cryosphere affect global climate-
Since the Albedo of snow/ice is high, significant part of solar radiation is reflected back resulting in lower temperature of earth. But, due to increase of global average temperature, some of the snow gets melted which results in a multiplier effect. For example there is 100 tonne of snow and it was receiving 100 KJ and reflecting back 80 KJ of solar energy. Due to some reason 20 tonnes of snow melted. Now remaining 80 tonnes of snow will receive 100 KJ but reflect less than 80 KJ say 60 KJ. There will be net gain of energy thus it will again melt the ice and the cycle goes on.
The cryosphere has a role in cooling the air thus affecting climate of regions of Iceland, Greenland, Russia etc.
Ocean current like Labrador current bring melt water from glaciers to the Eastern coast of Canada and USA. Cold freshwater is favorable for fishing grounds. Also people get some relief from summer.
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