Submitted by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2017-12-19T10:58:35Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Érika Gonçalves Pires - 2017.pdf: 34121792 bytes, checksum: 01fa175be83636fb98bdf7e861506b3f (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2017-12-19T10:59:36Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Érika Gonçalves Pires - 2017.pdf: 34121792 bytes, checksum: 01fa175be83636fb98bdf7e861506b3f (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-12-19T10:59:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Érika Gonçalves Pires - 2017.pdf: 34121792 bytes, checksum: 01fa175be83636fb98bdf7e861506b3f (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-11-17 / The changes in land-cover and land-use are among the main causes of a series of environmental, social, and economic impacts. In particular, the formation of artificial reservoirs, due to the construction of hydroelectric plants (HPP), has been the subject of scientific studies in the country, mainly due to the changes they cause to the environment. Specifically, the construction of the Luís Eduardo Magalhães HPP in 2001 (along the Tocantins River), in a context of large-scale constructions in the state of Tocantins, resulted in a large flooded area (~ 630 km²), significant changes in the landscape, and relocation of rural and urban populations. In this sense, this work aimed to evaluate and quantify, through various satellite datasets and land-cover and land-use mapping of the area under the influence of the reservoir of the Luís Eduardo Magalhães HPP (in the period before and after its implementation), changes in the landscape and associated biophysical parameters. At the landscape scale, the following surface parameters, derived from Terra-MODIS images, were evaluated seasonally: temperature, vegetation index, evapotranspiration, and albedo. The analysis of these data, in the spatial - temporal domains, involved three experimental models: a) considering the area of influence of the reservoir as a whole (equidistance of 30 km); b) analysis considering the equidistance or proximity to the reservoir (through buffers, latitudinal transects, and areas of interest); c) comparisons between the MODIS sensor results and the biophysical parameters obtained from Landsat images (transformed by the SEBAL algorithm). The results of our research show the potential of using remote sensing images in the study of variations of biophysical parameters. The implementation of the Luís Eduardo Magalhães HPP reservoir boosted the occupation of areas around it, especially: the São João irrigation project (irrigation from lake water), the increase in real estate speculation through the creation of new land subdivisions and closed condominiums with direct access to the lake, occupation of other areas due to the relocation of families (as in the case of the district of Luzimangues-Porto Nacional), and the creation of condominiums near the reservoir. Between 2000 and 2014, there was a 111% decrease in the Cerrado native vegetation (forest formations, grassland formations, open and dense Cerrado Strict Sensu physiognomies) and an increase of 66% in urban areas and 947% in the agricultural areas. It was also observed that almost half of the entire study area (42%) suffered some kind of alteration in the land cover. The changes observed in the local biophysical parameters were a direct result of the reservoir implantation and the State's occupation and development policies (such as soybean financing), which influenced the spatial configuration of the various land-cover classes and existing land use in the study area. As a result, a number of negative environmental / climatic impacts are already perceived in the area. Therefore, it is suggested to implement public policies regarding the systematic monitoring of biophysical parameters in the area, with a view to minimizing and mitigating more severe long-term environmental impacts. / As mudanças na cobertura e uso da terra estão entre os principais causadores de uma série de impactos de ordem ambiental, social e econômica. Em particular, a formação de reservatórios artificiais, em virtude da construção de usinas hidrelétricas (UHE), tem sido tema de estudos científicos no país, principalmente devido às alterações que causam ao meio ambiente. Especificamente, a construção da UHE Luís Eduardo Magalhães em 2001 (ao longo do Rio Tocantins), em um contexto de implementação de obras de grande porte no estado do Tocantins, resultou em uma grande área alagada (~ 630 km²), mudanças significativas nas paisagens e remanejamento de populações rurais e urbanas. Neste sentido, este trabalho buscou avaliar e quantificar, por meio de dados satelitários diversos e mapeamentos da cobertura e uso da terra na área de influência do reservatório da UHE Luís Eduardo Magalhães (no período anterior e posterior à sua implantação), as mudanças na paisagem e nos parâmetros biofísicos superficiais associados. À escala da paisagem, foram avaliados, sazonalmente, os seguintes parâmetros superficiais derivados de imagens Terra-MODIS: temperatura, índice de vegetação, evapotranspiração e albedo. A análise destes dados, em uma perspectiva espaço-temporal, envolveu três modelos experimentais: a) considerando a área de influência do reservatório como um todo (equidistância de 30 km); b) análise considerando a equidistância ou proximidade com o reservatório (através de buffers, transectos latitudinais e áreas de interesse); c) comparações entre os resultados do sensor MODIS com os parâmetros biofísicos obtidos das imagens Landsat (transformadas por meio do algoritmo SEBAL). Os resultados de nossa pesquisa evidenciam o potencial de uso de imagens de sensoriamento remoto no estudo das variações de parâmetros biofísicos. A implantação do reservatório da UHE Luís Eduardo Magalhães impulsionou a ocupação de áreas no entorno do mesmo, destacando-se: o projeto agrícola de irrigação São João (irrigação a partir da água do lago), o aumento da especulação imobiliária através da criação de novos loteamentos e condomínios horizontais fechados com acesso direto ao lago, ocupação de outras áreas em virtude da realocação de famílias (como é o caso do distrito de Luzimangues-Porto Nacional), além da criação de condomínios de chácaras próximos ao reservatório. Entre os anos de 2000 e 2014, constatou-se uma diminuição de 111% nas áreas de vegetação nativa do Cerrado (Formações florestais, Formações campestres, Cerrado sentido restrito ralo e denso) e um aumento de 66% nas áreas urbanas e de 947% nas áreas agrícolas. Observou-se ainda que quase metade de toda a área de estudo (42%) sofreu algum tipo de alteração na cobertura da terra. As alterações observadas nos parâmetros biofísicos locais foram resultado direto da implantação do reservatório e das políticas de ocupação e desenvolvimento promovidas pelo Estado (como por exemplo, os financiamentos para a produção de soja), as quais influenciaram a configuração espacial das diversas classes de cobertura e uso da terra existentes na área de estudo. Em consequência, vários impactos ambientais/climáticos negativos já são percebidos na área de estudo. Deste modo, sugere-se a implementação de políticas públicas de monitoramento sistemático dos parâmetros biofísicos nesta área, com vistas a minimizar e mitigar impactos ambientais mais severos a longo prazo.

Glacial environments in the Arctic are a much-studied topic as well as a field of research with strong influences regarding the current and future global climate of our planet. This report is focused on the meteorological conditions on Nordenskiöldbreen glacier from 2009-2015 and how they correlate with each other, the glacier surface and the surrounding terrain. With data gathered from an automatic weather station located at the centre of the glacier, a range of meteorological parameters is examined; wind direction and velocity, snow depth, cloud cover, incoming and reflected shortwave radiation, temperature deficit, albedo and drifting snow. Seasonal differences were discovered, especially for wind direction and velocity where winds from the northeast occurred more frequently in the winter, indicating katabatic winds, whereas winds from the west and southwest were more pronounced in the summer. The calculated temperature deficit shows that katabatic winds blow down-glacier under stably stratified conditions and are shown to increase in strength with increasing temperature deficit (atmospheric temperature minus surface temperature). The mean albedo at Nordenskiöldbreen during this period is within the expected limits, 0.8 for snow and 0.3 for ice and the cloud cover was 0.58. Additionally, it could be observed that the occurrence of dry, drifting snow is present in the winter season as snow depth shows pronounced drops during high-wind events in winter. Overall, it is concluded that most of the examined parameters correlate and need each other to function and act as mechanisms within the cryosphere and as such it is crucial for scientists to understand their connected relationships when attempting to study global climate changes.

The master thesis has evaluated the specific combination of bifacial solar cells and extensive green roofs. This was done in terms of energy production per year, profitability as well as discussions around ecosystem services. Three cases have been simulated with different temperature profiles for both bifacial, vertical bifacial and monofacial. The reason for three cases was due to the uncertainty in temperature decreasing properties of vegetation i Sweden. One case was simulated for a normal black bitumen roof for the three types of solar PV. The result with the best energy production was found in the configuration with azimuth -10o, inclination 40o and height above roof at 40 cm. This was the case with the largest simulated temperature decrease. Albedo was set to 0.2 and this resulted in a bifacial gain of 9-10% for the three cases with green roofs installed. Albedo was found to be a larger factor in the energy production outcome than the temperature decrease from the vegetation. The solar cells contributes to shading the green roof partially which increases the local biodiversity as well as expands the lifetime of the vegetation. The combination was deemed profitable since the middle case had an annuity of 1841 SEK/year, but the case with the bitumen roof was found to be even more profitable with an annuity of 4160 SEK/year. This indicates that the extra cost of installing a green roof does not pay itself back with a higher energy production. / Det här examensarbetet har undersökt kombinationen bifacialsolceller med extensivt grönt tak med avseende på optimal utformning av en sådan anläggning på ett tak samt systemproduktion och lönsamhet hos anläggningen. Då det inte finns något klart modelleringsverktyg för hur stor temperatursänkning det gröna taket kan åstadkomma så har tre olika fall med olika temperaturprofil simulerats. Resultaten visade på att ju högre temperatursänkning det gröna taket kan bidra med desto lägre höjd bör bifacialsolcellerna installeras på. Den bästa systemproduktionen fås vid vinkeln 40o samt azimuth -10o för alla tre fall. Detta gav för medelfallet en bifacial gain på 9,6% vid jämförelse mot vanliga enkelsidiga solceller. Resultatet för vertikalt installerade bifacialsolceller gav minst 12% lägre systemproduktion än de med vinkel 40o men med hög osäkerhet kring tillförlitligheten i resultatet. Vertikal bifacial kan vara intressant då det ligger ett värde i att producera elektricitet efter ett normalt hushålls elkonsumtionskurva, men är mindre intressant för kontorsbyggnader där elkonsumtionen är relativt konstant under dagen. Lönsamhetskalkylen visade att kombinationen bifacialsolceller med grönt tak var lönsam, men inte lika lönsam som att installera på svart tak. För medelfallet gav bifacialsolceller på grönt tak en annuitet på 1841 kr/år medan annuiteten för bifacialsolceller på svart tak var hela 4160 kr/år. Ur ett rent ekonomiskt perspektiv är kombinationen alltså inte den mest lönsamma. Från känslighetsanalyserna konstaterades att albedo är den aspekt som har störst påverkan på systemproduktionen och denna är relativt låg för det gröna taket. Ett högre albedo hade därför varit att föredra till bifacialsolceller, vilket kan erhållas genom att exempelvis varva grönt tak med vita stenar. Vidare är kombinationen en platseffektiv lösning för tak som oftast är en outnyttjad ytresurs, där de olika installationerna bidrar med olika positiva nyttor var för sig. Bifacialsolcellerna bidrar till en ökad självförsörjningsgrad samt hjälper till att driva på den tekniska innovationen framåt. Gröna tak bidrar med många ekosystemtjänster såsom bullerreducering, dagvattenfördröjning, rening av luftpartiklar, lokal temperatursänkning. Kombinationen bidrar till en ökad biologisk mångfald och en lägre växtperiod för det gröna taket mot om den hade varit fristående.

Résumé : Le bilan d’énergie de la Terre est largement influencé par la variation de l’albédo de surface (fraction de l'énergie solaire réfléchie par une surface). Ces variations sont modifiées par la présence, l’épaisseur et les propriétés physiques de la neige. Le réchauffement climatique observé a un impact significatif sur l'évolution du couvert nival, ce qui influence grandement l'albédo de surface, et en retour modifie le climat. Malgré l’importance de l’albédo de surface, plusieurs modèles calculent l’albédo de manière empirique, ce qui peut entraîner des biais significatifs entre les simulations et les observations selon les surfaces étudiées. Le schéma de surface canadien, Canadian Land Surface Scheme, CLASS (utilisé au Canada dans les modèles climatiques Global Climate Model et Modèle Régional Canadien du Climat), modélise l’évolution spatiale et temporelle des propriétés de la neige, dont l'albédo. L’albédo de CLASS est calculé selon la hauteur et l’âge (métamorphisme) de la neige au sol, et selon l’accumulation de la neige sur la canopée. Les objectifs de ce travail sont d’analyser le comportement de l’albédo (simulé et mesuré) et d’améliorer le paramétrage de l’albédo de surface pendant l’hiver sur des régions à l’est du Canada. Plus précisément, le comportement de l’albédo a été étudié par l’analyse de la sensibilité de CLASS 3.6 aux paramètres prescrits (paramètres qui sont utilisés dans les calculs du modèle dont les valeurs sont fixes et définies empiriquement). En plus de l’analyse des variations temporelles de l’albédo en fonction des conditions météorologiques pour les terrains de végétation basse (noté "gazon") et de conifères. Aussi, l’amélioration du paramétrage a été tentée en optimisant (pour le gazon et les conifères) ou en modifiant (pour le gazon) les calculs considérant les paramètres prescrits dont l’albédo de CLASS est sensible. En premier lieu, nous avons montré que la sensibilité de l’albédo de CLASS en terrain de gazon dépend grandement du seuil du taux de précipitation nécessaire pour que l’albédo soit actualisé (à sa valeur maximale) dans le modèle. Faire varier ce seuil entraîne que les simulations quotidiennes d’albédo de surface enneigées vont s’étaler en majorité entre 0.62 à 0.8 (supérieur à l’étalement normalement simulé). Le modèle est aussi sensible à la valeur d’actualisation de l’albédo dont la variation entraîne que l’albédo enneigé quotidien peut s’étaler de jusqu’à 0.48 à 0.9. En milieu forestier (conifères), le modèle est peu sensible aux paramètres prescrits étudiés. La comparaison entre les albédos simulés et les mesures au sol montrent une sous-estimation du modèle de -0.032 (4.3 %) à SIRENE (gazon au sud du Québec), de -0.027 (3.4 %) à Goose-Bay (gazon en site arctique) et de -0.075 (27.1 %) à la Baie-James (forêt boréale). Lorsque comparée avec les données MODIS (MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) la sous-estimation du modèle à la Baie-James est de -0.011 (5.2 %). On montre que la valeur de l'albédo mesurée lors des précipitations de neige à Goose Bay est en moyenne supérieure à la valeur d'actualisation de l'albédo dans le modèle (0.896 par rapport 0.84), ce qui peut expliquer la sous-estimation. En forêt, un des problèmes provient de la faible valeur de l'albédo de la végétation enneigée (ajout de 0.17 dans le visible), tandis que l’albédo de surface mesuré peut être augmenté de 0.37 (par rapport à la végétation sans neige). Aussi, l’albédo de la neige sur la canopée ne diminue pas avec le temps contrairement à ce qui est observé. En second lieu, nous avons tenté d’améliorer le paramétrage, en optimisant des paramètres prescrits (aucune amélioration significative n’est obtenue) et en modifiant la valeur d'actualisation de l’albédo de la neige en zone de gazon. Cette valeur, normalement fixe, a été rendue variable selon la température et le taux de précipitations. Les résultats démontrent que les modifications n’apportent pas d'améliorations significatives de la RMSE (Root Mean Square Error) entre les simulations et les mesures d’albédo. Les modifications sont toutefois pertinentes pour ajouter de la variabilité aux fortes valeurs d’albédo simulées ainsi que pour améliorer la compréhension du comportement des simulations d’albédo. Aussi, la méthodologie peut être reproduite pour d’autres études qui veulent étudier la représentativité et améliorer les simulations d’un modèle. / Abstract : The surface energy balance of northern regions is closely linked to surface albedo (fraction of solar radiation reflected by a surface) variations. These variations are strongly influenced by the presence, depth and physical properties of the snowpack. Climate change affects significantly snow cover evolution, and decreases surface albedo and snow albedo with positive feedback to climate. Despite the importance of the albedo, many models empirically compute it, which can induce significant biases with albedo observations depending on studied surfaces. The Canadian Land Surface Scheme, CLASS (used in Canada into the Canadian Regional Climate Model, and the Global Climate Model), simulates the spatial and temporal evolution of snow state variables including the albedo. The albedo is computed according to the depth of snow on the ground as well as the accumulation of snow in trees. The albedo seasonal evolution for snow on ground is estimated in CLASS from an empirical aging expression with time and temperature and a “refresh” based on a threshold of snowfall depth. The seasonal evolution of snow on canopy is estimated from an interception expression with trees type and snowfall density and an empirical expression for unloading rate with time. The objectives of this project are to analyse albedo behavior (simulated and measured) and to improve CLASS simulations in winter for Eastern Canada. To do so, sensitivity test were performed on prescribed parameters (parameters that are used in CLASS computation, their values are fixed, and determined empirically). Also, albedo evolution with time and meteorological conditions were analysed for grass and coniferous terrain. Finally, we tried to improve simulations by optimizing sensitive prescribed parameters for grass and coniferous terrain, and by modifying the refresh albedo value for grass terrain. First, we analysed albedo evolution and modelling biases. Grass terrain showed strong sensitivity to the precipitation rate threshold (for the albedo to refresh to its maximum value), and to the value of the albedo refresh. Both are affected by input data of precipitation rate and phase. The modification of precipitation threshold rate generates daily surface albedo to vary mainly (75 % of data in winter) between 0.62 and 0.8, which is a greater fluctuation than for a normal simulation over winter. The modification of the albedo refresh value generates surface albedo to vary mainly (75 %) between 0.66 and 0.79, but with extreme values, 25 % of data, from 0.48 to 0.9. Coniferous areas showed small sensitivity to studied prescribed parameters. Also, comparisons were made between simulated and measured mean albedo during winter. CLASS underestimates the albedo by -0.032 (4.3 %) at SIRENE (grass in Southern Quebec), by -0.027 (3.4 %) at Goose Bay (grass in arctic site) and by -0.075 (27.1 %) at James Bay (boreal forest) (or -0.011 (5.2 %) compared to MODIS (MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) data). A modelling issue in grass terrain is the small and steady maximum albedo value (0.84) compared to measured data in arctic condition (0.896 with variation of an order of 0.09 at Goose Bay, or 0.826 at SIRENE with warmer temperatures). In forested areas, a modelling issue is the small albedo increase (+0.17 in the visible range, +0.04 in NIR) for the part of the vegetation that is covered by snow (total surface albedo gets to a maximum of 0.22) compared to events of high surface albedo (0.4). Another bias comes from the albedo value of the snow trapped on canopy which does not decrease with time in opposition to observed surface albedo which is lower at the end of winter and which suggests snow metamorphism occurred. Secondly, we tried to improve simulations by optimizing prescribed parameters and by modifying the albedo’s maximum value computation. Optimisations were made on sensitive prescribed parameters or on those that seemed unsuited. No significant RMSE (Root Mean Square Error) improvements were obtained from optimisations in both grass and coniferous area. Improvements of albedo simulations were tried by adjusting the maximum value (normally fixed) with temperature and precipitation rate, in grass terrain. Results show that these modifications did not significantly improved simulations’ RMSE. Nevertheless, the latter modification improved the correlation between simulated and measured albedo. These statistics were made with the whole dataset which can reduce the impact of modifications (they were mainly affecting albedo during a precipitation event), but it allows to overview the new model performance. Modifications also added variability to maximum values (closer to observed albedo) and they increased our knowledge on surface albedo behavior (simulated and measured). The methodology is also replicable for other studies that would aim to analyse and improve simulations of a surface model.

Le suivi journalier du bilan radiatif solaire est indispensable à l’étude des processus à l'interface sol-atmosphère, en particulier en climatologie et en hydrologie. Dans le cadre du projet CEOP-Aegis visant à étudier l'hydrologie du plateau du Tibet, cette thèse se concentre sur le développement d'une méthode permettant d’en estimer le bilan radiatif solaire de surface de façon quotidienne. Une série temporelle de flux radiatifs produite à partir de produits satellitaires existants met en évidence la nécessité d’intégrer la variabilité sous-pixel du terrain et des nuages pour les zones aussi hétérogènes que le Tibet. L’analyse de l’impact de la variabilité spatiale et temporelle des nuages sur le rayonnement solaire illustre le bénéfice lié à l’utilisation de la répartition des nuages plutôt que la fraction de nébulosité et l’importance d’une résolution temporelle élevée. Une méthode novatrice proposée pour la correction topographique sous-pixel montre que l’utilisation d’un modèle numérique de terrain à haute résolution spatiale améliore significativement l'estimation de l’éclairement ainsi que de l'albédo. Deux approches sont proposées pour améliorer l’estimation du bilan radiatif intégrant de manière adéquate l’hétérogénéité sous-pixel. / Monitoring the solar radiation budget on a daily basis is a prerequisite to study land surface processes, especially in climatology and hydrology. As part of the CEOP-Aegis project studying the hydrology of the Tibetan Plateau, this thesis focuses on developing a method to adequately estimate at-surface daily solar radiation budget over this particular area. A radiation budget time series produced based on existing satellite data products highlights the necessity to consider terrain and clouds sub-pixel variability when working over heterogeneous areas such as the Tibetan Plateau. The analysis of the impact of spatial and temporal variability of clouds on solar radiation demonstrates that the surface irradiance estimation would benefit from using cloud distribution instead of cloud fraction and the significance of high temporal resolution. A new sub-pixel topographic correction method is proposed and shows that using high resolution digital elevation model improves the irradiance as well as the albedo retrieval. Two approaches are proposed to improve solar radiation budget estimates taking into account adequately the sub-pixel heterogeneity.

Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 1980. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ENGINEERING. / Bibliography: leaves 113-115. / by William Michael Silver. / M.S.

La neige est la surface terrestre la plus réfléchissante et sa présence sur de vastes étendues comme l'Antarctique affecte considérablement le bilan énergétique de la Terre. L'albédo de la neige dépend de ses propriétés physiques, et notamment de sa surface spécifique, c'est-à-dire de la surface totale de ce milieu poreux accessible aux gaz, par unité de masse. La surface spécifique (SS) est également une variable importante pour la chimie des interactions neige-atmosphère, car elle permet de quantifier les molécules adsorbées. Cependant, faute de méthodes simples pour la mesurer, la SS de la neige antarctique a été très peu étudiée. Un des objectifs de ce travail a été de concevoir et de mettre au point un nouveau dispositif expérimental pour mesurer la SS de la neige à partir de sa réflectance dans l'infra-rouge. Ce dispositif permet une mesure rapide avec une précision de 10 % et il est facile à mettre en œuvre dans les conditions hostiles des régions polaires. Nous avons ainsi réalisé les premières mesures de SS de la neige de surface sur le plateau Antarctique, à Dôme C (DC) et sur le trajet entre DC et la base côtière de Dumont D'Urville (DDU). Ces mesures ont été effectuées dans des puits d'environ un mètre de profondeur. Des suivis de l'évolution journalière de la SS ont également été réalisés. Il a été mis en évidence que les propriétés physiques de la neige sont spatialement inhomogènes à l'échelle de quelques mètres sur le plateau Antarctique car l'accumulation y est très faible et le vent remobilise la neige de surface, pour la redéposer en couches discontinues. Des hétérogénéités sont aussi observées entre DC et DDU, à cause notamment de l'augmentation de la vitesse du vent lorsque l'on se rapproche de la côte. A l'échelle journalière, les variations de la SS de la neige observées pour les deux premiers centimètres du manteau neigeux s'expliquent par la formation de givre de surface la nuit et de cristaux de sublimation le jour. Toutes ces mesures nous ont permis de calculer l'albédo de la neige sur le plateau Antarctique et ses variations journalières. Une étude préliminaire propose une comparaison de ces mesures avec des observations satellitales et les premiers résultats sont très encourageants quant à la possibilité de déterminer la SS de la neige depuis l'espace.

The snow cover plays an important role not only for the whole climate system but also for tourism and economy in the Lapland winter (e.g. dog sledding, snow mobile, etc). Snow constitutes a shelter for animals and plants during the winter due to thermal isolation, but, on the range of this investigation, it can make grazing difficult for reindeers, if the conditions are not favorable. Different approaches to the study have been made; the first and most important part of the investigation was a campaign in Järämä, in Swedish Lapland. During 3 days (between the 3rd and 5th of March 2009), a series of snow pits were done, recording snow grain size, snow layers depth, snow hardness/compactness, density and temperature. The hardness in the snow was evaluated through ram penetration tests. It was additionally studied the correspondence between the snow layers found in situ and the Sámi terminology. Another approach of the study consisted of satellite observations during the winter season 2008/2009 with day light in the region. The type of imagery used was MODIS (The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) daily snow albedo and 8-day surface reflectance products. Measurements of temperature, precipitation, snow depth were used to cover the polar night time when satellite images were missing. According to these weather observations some snow metamorphisms were also studied, and their influence on the snowpack conditions. Through the comparison between all these forms of data it was found that in the winter season 2008/2009 the conditions for reindeers grazing were not good due to the formation of ice encapsulating the lichens and grass. Additionally several hard snow layers have been found in the snowpack which increase the difficulty to dig in the snow and may cause problems to the reindeers’ digestion. Snow hardness measurements with a ram penetrometer, manual tests and visual grain size observation proved these discovers. Several periods of positive temperature may cause melting/refreezing cycles contributing to the formation of hard snow layers. These conclusions are supported by the snow albedo and surface reflectance satellite imagery. In these images is visible a period with snow albedo decreasing a lot in the beginning of autumn, after the first lasting snowfall. The weather conditions in early fall, when the first durable snow occurs, are of extreme importance for the reindeers’ grazing, and in the case of the studied winter season, the conditions were not favorable.

In this study we investigate the flow of a Boussinesq fluid contained in a rotating, differentially heated spherical shell. Previous work, on the spherical shell of Boussinesq fluid, differentially heated the shell by prescribing temperature on the inner boundary of the shell, setting the temperature deviation from the reference temperature to vary proportionally with -cos 20, from the equator to the pole. We change the model to include an energy balance equation at the earth's surface, which incorporates latitudinal solar radiation distribution and ice-albedo feedback mechanism with moving ice boundary. For the fluid velocity, on the inner boundary, two conditions are considered: stress-free and no-slip. However, the model under consideration contains only simple representations of a small number of climate variables and thus is not a climate model per se but rather a tool to aid in understanding how changes in these variables may affect our planet's climate. The solution of the model is followed as the differential heating is changed, using the pseudo arc-length continuation method, which is a reliable method that can successfully follow a solution curve even at a turning point. Our main result is in regards to hysteresis phenomenon that is associated with transition from one to multiple convective cells, in a dfferentially heated, co-rotating spherical shell. In particular, we find that hysteresis can be observed without transition from one to multiple convective cells. Another important observation is that the transition to multiple convective cells is significantly suppressed altogether, in the case of stress-free boundary conditions on the fluid velocity. Also, the results of this study will be related to our present-day climate. / UOIT

The development of the Surface Albedo Treatment System (SATS) onboard a spacecraft mission to the near earth asteroid (NEA) Apophis in 2012 is an innovative concept of deflecting NEAs from possible impact with the Earth through altering the Yarkovsky effect, a non-secular force in the solar system due to uneven surface thermal emission most profoundly affecting small rotating bodies subjected to sunlight. Though this force is small, its magnitude can be dramatic if extended over a period of time and if it uses the close approach of an asteroid near Earth to magnify the perturbation. The payload dispenses colored powder called albedo changing particles (ACPs) onto the surface changing its albedo and indirectly the surface temperature which changes the Yarkovsky effect. This study gives an in-depth description of both computational and experimental parts of the design of this system with primary focus on initial ground test setup. The initial experiments proposed to design the SATS is outlined in detail and justified by the mission criterion of interest as well as modeling the actual dispersal on the surface.