A novel experimental study of aeolian snow transport in Adelie Land (Antarctica)

None of the previous aeolian snow transport campaigns in Antarctica meet the requirements in terms of temporal resolution, long-term series and qualified instruments for evaluations of meteorological and climate models including parameterization for aeolian snow transport. Consequently, determining the quantity of snow transported remains a challenge. A field campaign was therefore launched in January 2009, in Adélie Land, Antarctica, to acquire new model-evaluation-oriented observations within the European ICE2SEA project, with the logistical support of the French polar Institute (IPEV). The available aeolian snow transport sensors are reviewed and the sensor that best suited our specific needs was chosen: FlowCapt™ acoustic sensors. Three automatic weather stations were deployed with FlowCapts™ close to the coast. The stationsʹ locations are distinct, ranging from 1 to 100 km inland, one of them with a 7-m mast with six levels of anemometers and thermohygrometers. The fluid and impact threshold friction velocities recorded were 0.48 ± 0.09 m s− 1 and 0.4 ± 0.09 m s− 1, respectively, with a high standard deviation of 0.12 ± 0.03 m s− 1 and 0.13 ± 0.03 m s− 1, respectively. The aeolian snow transport frequency in Adélie Land was very high with seasonal variation of transport occurring with minima during the austral summer. Seven percent of the aeolian snow transport events were drifting snow (maximum particleʹs height, < 1 m above the surface). The snow quantity transported was above 1 kiloton per year in the first meter above the surface.