INTEGRATED OPTICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF AIRBORNE AND DEPOSITED MINERAL DUST TO IMPROVE THE UNDERSTANDING OF RADIATIVE TRANSFER PROCESSES THROUGH POLAR AND ALPINE SNOWPACKS

The Earth’s cryosphere is undergoing rapid transformation due to climate change, with significant reductions in glacier mass and snow cover expected by the end of the century. According to the 2021 IPCC report, mid-latitude glaciers may lose up to 80% of their mass, while snow cover could decline by 90%. These changes will disrupt ecosystems and have profound effects on human activities. Atmospheric aerosols play a crucial role in climate regulation by interacting with solar and terrestrial radiation. These particles influence the Earth’s radiative energy balance through scattering and absorption processes, affecting cloud formation and precipitation. When deposited on snow and ice, aerosols reduce surface albedo, accelerating melting. However, uncertainties persist regarding the full extent of their impact due to incomplete knowledge of aerosol interactions with visible and near-infrared light. Aeolian mineral dust, in particular, remains an area of significant research interest due to its uncertain contribution to global radiative balance. Framed in this context, ice cores from polar and Alpine regions also provide essential historical records of atmospheric composition and climate variability. Chemical and physical analyses reveal information on greenhouse gases, heavy metals, and mineral dust, aiding climate reconstructions and model improvements. Another critical research area concerns sunlight propagation in snowpacks. Fresh snow exhibits high albedo, but impurities such as black carbon and mineral dust lower reflectivity, enhancing melting. Despite numerical modeling efforts, experimental data on light penetration within snow remains limited. To address these knowledge gaps, optical techniques provide a non-invasive and non-destructive approach. This research aligns with national and international objectives, contributing to improved climate modeling and a better understanding of cryosphere changes.