Influence of dynamics on glacier and ice-sheet mass balance

动力学对冰川和冰盖质量平衡的影响

• 批准号: 311725-2010
• 负责人: Flowers, Gwenn
• 金额: $ 2.55万
• 依托单位: Simon Fraser University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2012
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2012-01-01 至 2013-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=507807
• 关键词: Influence; dynamics; glacier; ice; sheet

Estimates of the future mass balance of the cryosphere will require the dynamics of glaciers and ice sheets to be considered, even on short time scales. The proposed research will address the role that dynamics play in modulating glacier and ice-sheet mass balance, which in turn has scientifically and societally important implications for freshwater resources and global sea level. Because water acts as a lubricant, glacier hydrology underpins much of what we understand about how fast, and the way in which, ice masses flow. Hydrological modelling is therefore at the core of the proposed research. The overarching goal of this research is to develop a mechanistic understanding of the relationship between ice dynamics and mass balance, and in particular, to put forward theoretical and computational descriptions of the role that glacier hydrology plays in this relationship. The specific objectives of the research are divided by scale: (1) to theoretically assess the influence of subglacial hydrology on the spatial distribution and temporal variability of fast flow within ice sheets, and (2) to identify and characterize the mutual influence of glacier dynamics and mass balance at the basin scale, and evaluate the implications of this relationship for regional glacier mass balance and runoff. The research methodology includes both field data collection and computer-based modelling and analysis. The proposed research builds on extensive glaciohydraulic modelling experience over the last eight years, and capitalizes on state-of-the-art glacier dynamics models currently under development. The continental-scale component of the research will rely on published data sets and benefit from several emerging and prospective collaborations. The field component springs naturally from the currently funded field program, and benefits from baseline data collected over the last four years. This research would augment our understanding of the glaciohydraulic processes that link glacier mass balance to sea-level change, and apply our basic understanding of these processes to freshwater resource problems. The proposed program relies heavily on the participation of students, and offers research training opportunities from the undergraduate to postdoctoral levels.

对冰冻圈未来质量平衡的估计将需要考虑冰川和冰盖的动力学，即使是在很短的时间尺度上。拟议的研究将解决动力学在调节冰川和冰盖质量平衡中所发挥的作用，这反过来又对淡水资源和全球海平面具有重要的科学和社会影响。由于水起着润滑剂的作用，冰川水文学在很大程度上支持了我们对冰团流动速度和方式的理解。因此，水文建模是拟议研究的核心。这项研究的总体目标是对冰动力学和质量平衡之间的关系有一个机械的理解，特别是对冰川水文学在这种关系中所扮演的角色提出理论和计算描述。研究的具体目标按尺度划分：（1）从理论上评估冰下水文学对冰盖内快速流的空间分布和时间变化的影响；（2）识别和表征盆地尺度上冰川动力学和质量平衡的相互影响，并评估这种关系对区域冰川质量平衡和径流的影响。研究方法包括现场数据收集和基于计算机的建模和分析。拟议的研究建立在过去八年广泛的冰川水力建模经验的基础上，并利用了目前正在开发的最先进的冰川动力学模型。该研究的大陆范围部分将依赖于已发布的数据集，并受益于一些新兴和前瞻性的合作。实地部分自然源于当前资助的实地计划，并受益于过去四年收集的基线数据。这项研究将增强我们对将冰川质量平衡与海平面变化联系起来的冰川水力过程的理解，并将我们对这些过程的基本理解应用于淡水资源问题。拟议的项目在很大程度上依赖于学生的参与，并提供从本科生到博士后水平的研究培训机会。