Question

List 3 factors that influence the spectral reflectance of snow/ice.

Answer 1

1. Grain Size: Larger crystals reflect more light, resulting in higher reflectance. Smaller or compacted grains have lower reflectance.

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2. Contamination: Impurities like black carbon or dust darken snow/ice, reducing reflectance. Cleaner snow/ice has higher reflectance.

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3. Age and Condition: Fresh snow has higher reflectance. Aging or melting processes can alter internal structure, leading to changes in reflectance.

Answer 2

Three factors that influence the spectral reflectance of snow/ice are surface color, impurities, and thickness.

Step-by-step explanation:

The spectral reflectance of snow/ice is influenced by several factors:

1. Surface color: Light-colored surfaces such as snow and ice reflect more radiation than darker surfaces, which absorb more radiation. This is due to the difference in albedo - the percentage of solar radiation reflected by an object or surface. Snow and ice have a higher albedo, leading to higher reflectance.
2. Impurities: Dust, soot, and particulates in the atmosphere can decrease the albedo of snow and ice by darkening their surface, causing them to absorb more solar radiation and become warmer. This can accelerate melting.
3. Thickness: The thickness of the snow/ice layer can affect spectral reflectance. Thicker layers may have higher reflectance due to more internal scattering, while thinner layers may have lower reflectance.