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: 2014
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2014-01-01 至 2015-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=548481
• 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.

即使在短时间内，也需要考虑冰川和冰盖的动力学的未来质量平衡的估计。拟议的研究将探讨动态在调节冰川和冰上质量平衡中的作用，这反过来又对淡水资源和全球海平面具有科学和社会的重要意义。因为水充当润滑剂，所以冰川水文学基于我们对速度和冰质量流动方式的许多了解。因此，水文建模是拟议研究的核心。这项研究的总体目的是对冰动力学与质量平衡之间的关系有一种机械理解，尤其是对冰川水文学在这种关系中所起的作用的理论和计算描述。研究的具体目标是按比例分配的：（1）理论上评估冰川冰片内冰川水文对空间分布和快速流动的时间变化的影响，（2）以识别和表征流长量和质量平衡的冰川动态和质量平衡的相互影响，并评估这种关系对区域平衡和奔跑的关系的含义。研究方法包括现场数据收集以及基于计算机的建模和分析。拟议的研究基于过去八年来广泛的冰川水力建模经验，并利用目前正在开发的最先进的冰川动力学模型。研究的大陆规模组成部分将依靠已发布的数据集，并受益于几个新兴和潜在的合作。现场组件自然而然地从当前资助的现场计划中升起，并从过去四年中收集的基线数据受益。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平过程的理解，并将我们对这些过程的基本理解应用于淡水资源问题。拟议的计划在很大程度上依赖学生的参与，并提供了从本科到博士后水平的研究培训机会。