Influence of snow cover on albedo reduction by snow algae.

Abstract

Snow algae darken the surface of snow, reducing albedo and accelerating melt. However, the impact of subsurface snow algae (e.g., when cells are covered by recent snowfall) on albedo is unknown. Here, we examined the impact of subsurface snow algae on surface energy absorption by adding up to 2 cm of clean snow to surface algal blooms and measuring reflectivity. Surprisingly, snow algae still absorb significant energy across an array of wavelengths when snow-covered. Furthermore, the scale of this effect correlates with algal cell densities and chlorophyll-a concentrations. Collectively, our results suggest that darkening by subsurface snow algae lowers albedo and thus potentially accelerates snowmelt even when the algae is snow-covered. Impacts of subsurface algae on melt await assessment. This implies that snow algae play a larger role in cryosphere melt than investigations of surface-only reflectance would suggest.

Importance: This study addresses a gap in research by examining the impact of subsurface snow algae on snow albedo, which affects snowmelt rates. Previous studies have focused on visible surface blooms, leaving the effects of hidden algae unquantified. Our findings reveal that snow algae beneath the surface can still absorb energy across various wavelengths, accelerating melt even when not visible to the naked eye. This suggests that spectral remote sensing can detect these hidden algae, although their biomass might be underestimated. Understanding how subsurface snow algae influence albedo and snowmelt is crucial for accurate predictions of meltwater runoff, which impacts alpine ecosystems, glacier health, and water resources. Accurate projections are essential for managing freshwater supplies for agriculture, drinking water, and other vital uses. Thus, further investigation into subsurface snow algae is necessary to improve our understanding of their role in snow albedo reduction and water resource management.